Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The “Year of Sustainability 2024” has been a landmark year for the UAE, marked by bold strides towards a greener, cleaner future.
From cutting-edge legislation to ambitious renewable energy projects, here’s a look at some of the major sustainability achievements across the UAE in 2024.
Building the Framework for a Green Future
One of the most significant steps taken by the UAE in 2024 is the introduction of Federal Decree-Law No. (11) of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects.
Set to take effect in May 2025, this law offers a comprehensive regulatory framework, outlining measures for mitigation (such as improving energy efficiency, carbon capture and offsetting) and adaptation (through sector-specific plans for infrastructure, health and energy).
The law emphasises data collection, reporting and verification of emissions.
It also deals directly with the incentives that directly support innovation and R&D and the establishment of a National Carbon Credit Registry, under the direction of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
The UAE’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond federal law.
In May 2024, EAD issued Decree No. (2) of 2024, announcing the enforcement of stricter air quality and noise control regulations in the emirate.
This decree mandates the EAD to periodically monitor air pollutants and noise levels, ensuring strict compliance from all projects and establishments operating within the emirate.
EAD also imposed a ban on certain styrofoam products in June 2024.
The initiative has seen an impressive 97% compliance rate among retailers, with expectations of further improvement by year’s end.
A federal ban on targeted styrofoam and plastic products across the UAE is set to take effect in 2026.
These sustainability initiatives are already paying off.
As of December 2024, the emirate has successfully saved 364 million single-use plastic bags and recovered more than 130 million plastic bottles.
By the end of 2024, the enforcement of the single-use plastic bag ban is predicted to have saved more than 400 million bags, translating to a reduction of 2,400 tonnes of plastic and 547,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Moreover, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), issued Decree No. (6) of 2024 in December 2024, to issue a policy aimed at protecting soil from degradation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The policy is focused on sustainable land management, ecosystem preservation, and public health.
It also aims to strengthen the legal framework for soil protection and is applicable across multiple sectors including urban planning, agriculture and oil and gas exploration.
Renewable Energy Projects Set to Power the UAE
Renewable energy has been at the heart of the UAE’s sustainability agenda in 2024.
In his remarks at ADIPEC 2024 in November, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, announced that the UAE plans to invest up to Dh200 billion to meet sustainable energy demand over the next six years.
Among the most significant renewable energy developments in 2024 is the partnership between the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) and Abundance Solar Panels, announced in August 2024, to establish a state-of-the-art solar power plant.
Spanning 27,000 square metres, this Dh55 million solar plant will manufacture advanced solar panels and photovoltaic modules for various sectors, supporting the country’s shift to energy-efficient ecosystems.
December also marked a milestone in the UAE’s efforts to reach its renewable energy targets.
On Tuesday, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced that it has obtained approval to allocate four new sites in Abu Dhabi for world-leading solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy developments.
The landmark projects, covering an area of approximately 75 square kilometres, are set to deliver a total of 4.5 GW of solar power and 140 MW of wind energy.
Bold Commitments at COP29
Ahead of the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, the UAE made a pledge to cut carbon emissions by 47% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels.
This ambitious goal was part of the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), submitted well ahead of the February 2025 deadline.
At COP29, the launch of an initiative to establish the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance” was announced, aimed at doubling global energy efficiency rates by 2030 and reducing emissions worldwide.
This aligns with the UAE’s commitment made at COP28 to promote global cooperation in reducing carbon emissions and minimising natural resource consumption.
During COP29, UAE also unveiled CHAG (Chat + Ag), an AI-powered tool designed to assist farmers in adapting to harsh climatic conditions.
This tool draws on decades of agricultural research and aims to bolster food security while mitigating the impact of climate change on the UAE’s agricultural sector.
UAE’s Growing Reputation as a Global Environmental Leader
The UAE’s environmental efforts gained widespread global recognition in 2024.
The UAE ranked first in the Arab world and the GCC region on the 2024 Environmental Performance Index issued by Yale and Columbia Universities.
The country ranked first globally on five environmental performance indicators, namely: Marine Protection Stringency, Bottom Trawling in EEZ, Wastewater treated, Wastewater reused, and Net carbon fluxes due to land cover change.
In December, EAD hosted the International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference – the first of its kind globally – in Abu Dhabi, bringing together over 500 global leaders, scientists and policymakers to discuss the urgent need for mangrove restoration.
