ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has become the first environmental regulatory body in the Middle East to receive the Carbon Neutral Now Certification from an United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)-accredited independent party, Applus+ from Spain.
The Carbon Neutral Now Certification is awarded to organisations that demonstrate commitment to offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions through onsite, offsite or third-party projects.
The agency has provided proof that its 2020-2022 greenhouse gas emissions were offset as per the GHG Protocol Standards and in line with global efforts to tackle climate change through reduced emissions and was awarded the certification.
Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “As per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, the results of climate change are clearly visible across the globe. Mitigating these adverse impacts requires a concerted effort to restrict the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or a maximum of 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
"Achieving the Carbon Neutral Now certification is a testament to our support of global efforts to transition towards cleaner technologies and adoption of the best environmental methods to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
She added that EAD Abu Dhabi voluntarily offset its headquarters’ GHG emissions from 2020 to 2022 by 4,355 tonnes of CO2, which made them carbon neutral, and that the certification demonstrated the organisational sensitivity towards climate change mitigation measures and the promotion of cleaner and greener methods.
Explaining the regulator's plan to expand carbon neutral efforts, Al Dhaheri said: "We plan to expand our carbon neutral efforts by exploring various options such as the reduction and offsetting of emissions through our mangrove restoration projects, the use of solar power, using electric vehicles for commuting and site inspection, and via the purchase of environmental commodities and the establishment of green procurement systems."
“On a larger scale, this step will help us achieve the UAE Net Zero by 2050 target and contribute to the nation’s collective carbon neutrality. We are also in the process of setting GHG emissions targets for certain sectors in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to help to reduce the UAE’s overall emissions as per the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy.”