Abu Dhabi – In a significant move to address the global challenge of climate change, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the approval of the “Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy” by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The strategy, aimed at upholding the global goal of limiting temperature rise to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, reflects the UAE’s commitment to climate action and positions Abu Dhabi as a leader in sustainability.
The comprehensive five-year plan will bolster the emirate’s environmental resilience, drive progress towards achieving full climate neutrality, enhance Abu Dhabi’s contribution to global sustainability leadership, and attract investment to foster a secure and sustainable economy.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of global climate change. She stated, “Our plan provides proactive solutions to promote economic diversification through innovation and the use of low-carbon technologies.”
The strategy focuses on critical sectors such as infrastructure, energy, environment, and health to ensure business continuity, climate resilience, and agility. By becoming one of the most climate-resilient and adapted regions in the area, Abu Dhabi aims to attract further investment and instill confidence in businesses and individuals considering relocation or investment in the emirate.
Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector at EAD, elaborated on the strategy’s goals, stating, “Our aim is to make all these sectors fully adaptable to potential climate change repercussions by 2050. Over the next five years, we will also reduce the emirate’s emissions by 22 percent compared to 2016 levels, equivalent to the CO2 sequestered by 500 million trees over a decade.”
Abu Dhabi’s emission reduction target aligns with the UAE’s recent commitment to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2030. To achieve this, Abu Dhabi plans to reduce absolute emissions by 47 million tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2030.
The strategy was developed in collaboration with various entities, 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 efforts with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, as well as private sector leaders such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Emirates Global Aluminum, Mubadala, and others.
Building on Abu Dhabi’s rich sustainability heritage, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy will be swiftly implemented across two pillars: mitigation and adaptation. The mitigation efforts will focus on reducing climate emissions while maintaining economic growth. The adaptation pillar aims to enhance the resilience and agility of key economic sectors against climate risks. The strategy will employ 81 initiatives and 12 strategic projects, encompassing areas such as 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 exemplifies the UAE’s climate leadership at the regional and global level. It follows our nation’s pioneering steps, including being the first in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, investing in clean power through renewables, and setting a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050.” This strategy reinforces Abu Dhabi’s commitment to addressing climate change and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
