Today's Edition
Editor's Note
The actions we choose today will define the trajectory of our shared future. This notion resonates strongly, particularly in a global milieu where climate change looms large. Acknowledging the urgent need for decisive action, the new Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy outlines a visionary plan that will not only equip the Emirate for a rapidly changing climate but also enhance community resilience and mitigate associated risks.
Led by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with entities across the Abu Dhabi Government ecosystem, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the new five-year strategy is the first of its kind in the region, and lays the groundwork for accelerated emission reductions within Abu Dhabi – therefore supporting the nation's overarching objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 – while still driving economic growth.
Through the dual pillars of mitigation and adaptation, new and expanded initiatives and programmes will drive innovation, identify new opportunities, and deliver tangible results towards Abu Dhabi's unwavering commitment to confronting climate change head-on.
Under the strategy, measures across key economic sectors will aim to deliver a 22% reduction in carbon emissions in the emirate within five years. That’s equivalent to the amount of CO2 emissions sequestered by 500 million trees over 10 years.
As a result, Abu Dhabi will be ideally placed to realise a 35% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, a significant contribution to the UAE’s target to reduce emissions by 18% at the end of the current decade. The strategy will also provide the Emirate with an opportunity to become a leading global hub for developing talent and nurturing innovation as we transition to a low-carbon circular economy.
With the UAE’s long history of sustainability and deep-rooted commitment to driving positive change, the strategy reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s efforts to address the direct and indirect impacts of climate change, ensuring a thriving environment for residents and investors, while continuing to prioritise initiatives that reduce emissions to protect the future of our planet.
Under the strategy’s mitigation pillar, Abu Dhabi aims to adopt technologies and practices to reduce carbon emissions through a series of initiatives. These initiatives include the development of the new Al Dhafra Solar PV Plant, a 2GW plant that opened in November. Currently the world’s largest single-site solar plant, when at full capacity it will power almost 200,000 homes and mitigate 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
Abu Dhabi will also be implementing a programme that harnesses new technology and interlinked pathways to rapidly develop energy-efficient transportation systems, accelerate a shift to low emission public transport, and support the scaling of new generation net-zero emission fuels.
In tandem with mitigation, the strategy focuses on adaptation. Put simply, this means strengthening Abu Dhabi’s resilience and reducing the risks from the harmful impacts of climate change. To support this pillar, EAD is working with government entities as well as the private sector to accelerate efforts in the cultivation and rehabilitation of high-density mangrove planting programmes.
Mangroves play a vital role in protecting coasts from severe storms and floods, and can temper adverse effects from climate change by capturing four times the carbon stored in tropical forests of the same size. These initiatives will be carried out in coastal areas to ensure the protection of Abu Dhabi’s vital habitats.
Several major new partnerships have already been launched to support our efforts in this area. Together with the Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC), EAD is enhancing joint efforts to preserve mangrove and coastal ecosystems to ensure their future sustainability; and through EAD’s recent partnership with Dendra Systems, new investment in resources and technologies will further increase mangrove planting efforts in Abu Dhabi.
The collaboration of the Government of Abu Dhabi with the private sector is key to achieving our goals, and to promoting joint-stewardship of the Emirate’s future as it transitions to a low-carbon circular economy. It will also attract new opportunities, allowing the Emirate to lead by example as it advances its commitment to tackling climate change with a comprehensive strategy, supportive partnership, and best practices.
We are not making any of these promises without being able to measure our impact. EAD recently launched a new self-reporting programme to standardise environmental monitoring and reporting requirements in Abu Dhabi. Not only will this ensure we are making the progress we need to, but will also help identify new environmental concerns.
By delivering concrete, immediate and measurable co-benefits for both mitigation and adaptation, the strategy will enable ongoing sustainable economic growth in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, while putting our 2050 goal of fully achieving carbon neutrality firmly in our sights.
