As part of its continued strides to uphold the global aim of keeping the rise in average temperatures between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, and as an affirmation of the UAE’s climate action leadership, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has outlined plans for the “Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy”, which was recently approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The comprehensive five-year plan will strengthen the emirate’s environmental resilience, achieve concrete progress towards achieving full climate neutrality, further enhance Abu Dhabi’s contribution to the UAE’s global sustainability leadership, and attract investment as part of a secure and sustainable economy.
“Abu Dhabi is not alone in facing the impacts of global climate change, and we must take proactive measures to mitigate and adapt,” said Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD. “Our plan provides proactive solutions to promote economic diversification through innovation and the use of low-carbon technologies.”
“Through this strategy, critical sectors, such as infrastructure, energy, environment and health will be enhanced to ensure not only business continuity but also climate resilience and agility. Having one of the most climate resilient and adapted places in the region will attract further investment and give added confidence to businesses and individuals to move to and invest in Abu Dhabi,” she added.
Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector at EAD, elaborated, “Our goal is for all these sectors to be fully adaptable to any possible repercussions of climate change by 2050. Over the next five years, we will also reduce the emirate’s emissions by 22 percent from 2016 levels, which is equivalent to CO2 sequestered by 500 million trees for 10 years.”
This emission reduction target represents Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the recent announcement of the UAE’s emission target reduction of 40 percent by 2030. Abu Dhabi is committed to achieving its target through a reduction of absolute emissions by 47 million tonnes of GHGs by 2030.
The strategy was developed in collaboration with the Department of Energy, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company. EAD also coordinated with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Global Aluminum, Mubadala, and other private sector leaders.
Drawing on the emirate’s long history of sustainability, Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy will be implemented at an accelerated rate across two pillars: mitigation, which will involve reducing climate emissions while maintaining economic growth; and adaptation, which refers to enhancing the resilience and agility of key economic sectors against climate risks. The strategy will employ 81 initiatives and 12 strategic projects across key areas, including low-emissions vehicles, mangrove restoration, green procurement, building codes, negative emission technologies, decarbonization, and cleaner renewables.
Dr. Al Dhaheri concluded, “The launch of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy is another example of the UAE’s climate leadership in the regional and global arena. It follows in the footsteps of being the first nation in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, the first nation in the region to truly invest in cleaning its power supply by turning to renewables, and the first in the region to set a pathway to net zero by 2050.”
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recently approved the “Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy” to uphold the global aim of keeping the rise in average temperatures between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius. This comprehensive five-year plan aims to strengthen the emirate’s environmental resilience and achieve full climate neutrality, contributing to the UAE’s global sustainability leadership and attracting investment for a secure and sustainable economy.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, stated the need for proactive measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of global climate change. The plan emphasizes economic diversification through innovation and the use of low-carbon technologies. It aims to enhance critical sectors such as infrastructure, energy, environment, and health to ensure business continuity, climate resilience, and agility. This approach will make Abu Dhabi one of the most climate-resilient and adapted places in the region, further attracting investment and inspiring confidence in businesses and individuals.
Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector at EAD, outlined the goal of making all sectors fully adaptable to any possible repercussions of climate change by 2050. In the next five years, the strategy aims to reduce the emirate’s emissions by 22 percent from 2016 levels, equivalent to CO2 sequestered by 500 million trees over ten years. This emission reduction target aligns with the UAE’s commitment to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030, aiming to achieve this through a reduction of absolute emissions by 47 million tonnes of GHGs.
The strategy was developed in collaboration with various government departments and organizations, including the Department of Energy, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, and Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company. EAD also coordinated with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, as well as private sector leaders such as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Global Aluminum, and Mubadala.
Building on the emirate’s history of sustainability, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy will be implemented across two pillars: mitigation and adaptation. The mitigation pillar aims to reduce climate emissions while maintaining economic growth, while the adaptation pillar focuses on enhancing the resilience and agility of key economic sectors against climate risks. The strategy includes 81 initiatives and 12 strategic projects, covering areas such as low-emissions vehicles, mangrove restoration, green procurement, building codes, negative emission technologies, decarbonization, and cleaner renewables.
Dr. Al Dhaheri emphasized that the launch of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy demonstrates the UAE’s climate leadership regionally and globally. The UAE was the first nation in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to invest in cleaning its power supply through renewables, and the first in the region to set a pathway to net zero by 2050. The strategy aligns with these commitments, further positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in climate action.
In conclusion, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy outlines Abu Dhabi’s commitment to upholding global climate goals while enhancing the emirate’s environmental resilience and attracting investment. Through proactive measures and collaboration with various sectors, Abu Dhabi aims to achieve full climate neutrality, demonstrating its climate action leadership in the region and beyond.