The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has been honored with the title of Best Regional Environmental Agency in the Middle East and Africa at the 2023 Capital Finance International (CFI) Sustainability Awards. This recognition comes as a testament to the agency’s extensive track record of executing pioneering and large-scale environmental conservation projects in the region, marking the first time an environmental agency in the Middle East has received this prestigious award since its inception in 2012.
EAD was commended for its outstanding initiatives, which encompass a wide range of projects. These include species re-introduction programs, marine restoration efforts, monitoring of air and marine water quality, climate change actions, groundwater and soil management, as well as research, outreach, and youth engagement programs.
The agency’s oversight of permitting and assessment procedures for facilities in Abu Dhabi has also contributed to its success, resulting in a notable increase in compliance within the industrial sector.
Expressing her thoughts on the achievement, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, emphasized the agency’s dedication to becoming a leading environmental regulator in the region. Winning this award from Capital Finance International signifies that EAD’s endeavors resonate on a global scale, extending beyond the boundaries of the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Al Dhaheri further expressed the agency’s commitment to continuing its efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in sustainability and environmental conservation.
John Mann, Awards Director from CFI, highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability in the organization’s considerations. EAD was recognized by the awards panel as a prime example of positive action in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, applauding the agency’s significant and enduring achievements in addressing major conservation projects.
EAD’s accomplishments include notable regional-scale initiatives such as the coral restoration project, aiming to cultivate one million coral reefs, the plantation of one million mangrove seeds in Abu Dhabi to mitigate climate change effects, and the commissioning of a groundbreaking research vessel designed to conduct marine research in the Arabian Gulf. This vessel embarked on a maiden voyage covering 25 countries and eight seas, conducting a world-first Atmospheric Research Expedition to measure air quality along its route.
Furthermore, EAD was the first in the region to introduce remote sensing technology to measure vehicle emissions, utilizing laser-based NASA spin-off technology in Abu Dhabi. The agency has also spearheaded the largest species re-introduction program, successfully relocating 500 Scimitar-Horned Oryx to Chad, thus preventing their extinction.
The recognition bestowed upon EAD by the CFI Sustainability Awards serves as a testament to the agency’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation, making significant contributions to sustainability not only in Abu Dhabi but also on a global scale.
