Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is embedding artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its sustainability agenda, using the technology to accelerate progress towards its ambitious Net Zero 2050 target while positioning itself as a global leader in climate innovation.
For decades, sustainability has been a national priority. What stands out today is how digital transformation is giving this commitment sharper direction and measurable impact, noted Khalid Abushousha, a strategist specialising in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability.
“Artificial intelligence… is now embedded in practical, measurable initiatives across the UAE,” he told Aletihad.
In the energy sector, AI-driven forecasting tools are helping solar and wind farms feed cleaner power into the grid more reliably, according to Abushousha.
He noted that ADNOC, one of the world’s leading energy producers, has deployed advanced applications to predict leaks, optimise flare management, and fine-tune consumption – cutting up to one million tonnes of CO₂ emissions between 2022 and 2023.
Its flagship AR360 platform optimises existing wells before drilling new ones, reducing emissions and energy use while maximising efficiency.
“By embedding AI into monitoring and reporting, the UAE is not only strengthening transparency and efficiency, but also fast-tracking its journey towards Net Zero 2050, cementing its role as a global leader in AI-driven sustainability,” Abushousha said.
Nahla Nabil, another ESG and sustainability strategist, explained how AI can help government entities in the UAE turn commitments into measurable action.
“It can forecast energy demand with accuracy, track emissions as they occur, and optimise logistics networks to cut unnecessary fuel and others,” she told Aletihad.
“The integration of AI means national targets can be tracked in real time, and ministries and regulators can evaluate progress continuously instead of waiting for annual reporting cycles.”
Nabil noted that this allows government entities to assess policies and programmes against real-world outcomes, not just projections.
“It creates the space to adjust strategies quickly when results are off track, strengthen accountability by linking budgets and contracts to verified outcomes, and improve transparency through national reporting.”
AI also enables governments to anticipate risks earlier, coordinate more effectively, and ensure that high-level pledges, such as Net Zero 2050, translate into measurable change, added Nabil.
Human Judgement Remains Crucial
But Nabil cautioned that AI should not be treated as a silver bullet. Risks include data bias, privacy concerns, and the environmental footprint of large-scale computing, along with over-reliance on algorithmic outputs at the expense of human judgement – particularly in complex areas such as human rights, biodiversity, or community wellbeing.
“When organisations start treating outputs as unquestionable, they risk losing the human judgement that is essential in ESG,” she explained.
Mitigating these risks demands clear governance that pairs automated insights with expert oversight, enforces transparent data practices, and ensures independent verification of results, according to Nabil.
Pioneering Real-World AI Applications
On the ground, AI is already transforming environmental monitoring. Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Chair of the Environmental and Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi University, believes the UAE has moved beyond static measurements to create a continuous, data-driven picture of its ecosystems.
An AI lab, established by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment with Khalifa University and IRENA, maps solar potential, monitors air and water quality, and tracks marine habitats.
The National Air Quality Index measures current conditions from 31 stations and forecasts pollution one to three days in advance, enabling proactive measures to protect public health.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is using drones and AI to slash the time and cost of field research by up to 90%, while pioneering drone-based mangrove planting to capture carbon and protect coastlines.
Dr. Ajaj also highlighted EAD’s use of satellites, drones, and ground surveys to map soil pollution with high precision, enabling timely remediation and protecting land-based ecosystems.
“Integrating AI into its strategic planning, the nation is addressing its unique environmental challenges but also forging a future for others to follow,” Dr. Ajaj told Aletihad.
The UAE is also implementing AI-driven systems to monitor seven priority wildlife, marine, and bird species, tracking populations, migration patterns, and climate impacts, guiding targeted conservation efforts, she noted.
Nabil said that smart irrigation systems are being deployed across UAE farms to boost efficiency and cut water use, supporting the country’s food security goals while offering a model for other countries facing similar challenges.
Dr. Ajaj pointed out that the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has introduced AI-driven irrigation systems to 24,000 farms to conserve water and boost food security in a desert climate.
Meanwhile, the launch of ClimateGPT, developed with ADQ and EQTY Lab, marks a “historic” step for climate action, according to Dr. Ajaj.
The open-source multilingual AI platform, powered by renewable energy, provides access to over 300 billion climate data points.
“In this manner, climate data is being made accessible to enable collaborative work throughout the world as well as enable evidence-based decision-making throughout the globe,” said Dr. Ajaj.
These tools extend into urban planning and development, she added. In rapidly growing cities like Abu Dhabi, AI analyses data on traffic, energy use, and waste generation to inform smart infrastructure design.
“Masdar City is itself a laboratory for most such concepts, with AI being integrated into a city’s fabric,” Dr. Ajaj said.
