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UAE marks National Environment Day with renewed commitment to sustainability by combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and fostering green innovation

Khalid Abushousha, ESG & Sustainability Strategist (Aletihad)
5 Feb 2025 00:59

MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

The UAE celebrated its National Environment Day on February 4 with a renewed commitment to environmental sustainability through combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and fostering green innovation.

Aletihad spoke to environmentalists who highlighted the country's most significant environmental achievements in furthering both local and regional sustainability efforts.

"Over the decade, the UAE has gone a long way to becoming environmentally friendly, with one such success being a quick development in renewable energy ventures," said Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental & Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi University's College of Health Sciences.

 

  • UAE marks National Environment Day with renewed commitment to sustainability by combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and fostering green innovation
    Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental & Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi University's College of Health Sciences



Under its Masdar scheme, the UAE has committed over $15 billion to develop and commercialise renewable energy, carbon management and water efficiency.

"This commitment reduced the country's carbon footprint and positioned the UAE in a leadership role in renewable energy in the region, with neighboring nations following in its path with similar environmentally friendly programmes," Dr. Ajaj added.

She further noted that the UAE's dedication to sustainability was further solidified with its pledge to become a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, accompanied by a commitment to spend $163 billion on clean energy and technology.

The UAE also pledged to curtail 30% of its methane emissions by 2030, she added. "These efforts contribute significantly to global environmental conservation and set a benchmark for other nations to follow."

Innovation is another cornerstone of the UAE's environmental strategy. Dr. Ajaj explained how the country is integrating technology to drive its sustainability efforts.

For example, she noted that the UAE's National Demand Side Management Programme focuses on maximising energy efficiency in key sectors.

Dr. Ajaj added that initiatives like the UAE Climate Tech programme and sovereign wealth fund investments in climate-themed ventures "make the country a source of start-up financing and innovation in renewable energy, conservation and sustainability at a cutting-edge level."

Nahla Nabil, an ESG & Sustainability Strategist, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the UAE's proactive approach to addressing region-specific environmental challenges.

  • UAE marks National Environment Day with renewed commitment to sustainability by combating climate change, conserving biodiversity and fostering green innovation
    Nahla Nabil, an ESG & Sustainability Strategist


"The UAE isn't just following global sustainability trends, it is instead setting them by focusing on what matters most to the region," she said.

Rather than simply replicating solutions, Nabil noted that the UAE has "zeroed in" on critical issues, such as food security, water scarcity and renewable energy, and built solutions around them.

"From Food Tech Valley transforming agriculture in the desert, to advanced desalination and smart water management tackling water scarcity, the UAE is addressing issues that directly impact its people," she explained.

"Add to that the massive investments in solar energy with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and you see a country not just reacting to climate challenges but leading with purpose."

Khalid Abushousha, ESG & Sustainability Strategist, also shared his insights on the UAE's leadership in sustainability efforts.

"Long before the global call for decarbonisation gained momentum, the UAE embarked on a mission to revolutionise what it's like to be sustainable," he said, citing the 2006 launch of Masdar City as a hub for clean energy and innovation.

"What began as a pioneering initiative has since grown into a global leader. Masdar now generates over 2GW of renewable energy locally and operates in more than 40 countries, surpassing 20GW in clean energy capacity and reshaping sustainability efforts worldwide."

The UAE is also the first in the region to adopt nuclear energy, with the Barakah Nuclear Plant now supplying 25% of the country's electricity with zero carbon emissions.

"On the global stage, the UAE hosted COP28, where it championed the UAE Consensus, securing landmark agreements to triple renewable energy capacity, introduced the first-ever global commitment to reducing fossil fuel reliance, and launched the historic Loss and Damage Fund, aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing the economic and environmental consequences of climate change," Abushousha added.

"As the world accelerates toward a cleaner future, the UAE's actions stand as a testament that sustainability is not just a vision. It is a legacy in motion."

Abushousha further noted that UAE National Environment Day is more than just a celebration; it is a call to action, reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity.

"From investing in clean energy to restoring vital ecosystems, the UAE continues to set ambitious goals that drive meaningful environmental progress."

By hosting COP28 and establishing a collaborative "troika" with the next two host countries, the UAE aims to keep the global climate conversation moving forward, he noted.

He added that the country has pledged to triple its climate finance, committing $54 billion (more than the cost of building the International Space Station) over the next seven years to meet growing energy demands, support clean energy initiatives, and build resilience.

The UAE has also committed to planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, which is expected to sequester 1.23 million tons of CO₂ annually. Moreover, the Dubai Coral Reef Restoration Program aims to restore 500,000 corals by 2025 and create the region's largest coral reef by 2042, according to Abushousha.

"The UAE's commitment to sustainability has transformed its environmental landscape, driven by bold policies like the UAE Green Agenda 2030 and Net Zero by 2050," added Abushousha.

"Once reliant on fossil fuels, the nation now leads the region in renewable energy, with solar parks, nuclear power and a pioneering hydrogen strategy paving the way for a cleaner future."

Beyond energy, the UAE is redefining sustainable finance, waste management and biodiversity conservation - evidenced by initiatives like the ban on single-use plastics, the world's largest waste-to-energy plant, and the restoration of 100 million mangroves, he noted.

While there remain challenges such as water scarcity, emissions reduction, and regulatory enforcement, Abushousha pointed out that innovation and investment signal a clear direction.

"The UAE is becoming a place where economic prosperity  and environmental stewardship thrive together. As these policies take root, they don't just shape a greener UAE, they inspire a model for sustainability across the region and beyond," he said.

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