Abu Dhabi has made striking progress in achieving its environmental goals during the first 12 months of the 2023-2025 blueprint towards a greener future, new data shows.
Established by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and its key partners, the plan aims for the city to become an environmental and climate action leader by 2071.
But how exactly do the numbers fare? The National explains.
1 million
More than one million mangrove seeds were planted using drones in a drive towards sustainable biodiversity.
It was part of the first pathway – Vibrant Emirate Thriving in Nature – and its 23 action programmes.
In April, 850,000 mangroves were planted in various locations, including Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Al Mirfa City and Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi, as part of an initiative to plant 10 mangroves for each visitor who attended the Cop28 climate change summit.
It aims to absorb 170 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.
800,000
The planting of 800,000 fragments of coral has increased the emirate’s total coral reef area.
A comprehensive plan for the development of aquaculture in Abu Dhabi has also been created, focusing on seven key pillars.
Locally manufactured eco-mattresses host a wide variety of marine life, including 15 species of algae, 13 species of fish, and four invertebrate species.
Launched in 2021, Fujairah's Project REEFrame has already created a one-hectare artificial reef off the UAE’s east coast on what had been bare sand and is now well into crafting a second reef 10 times larger.
30,000
The region's first smog-free tower inaugurated on Al Hudayriat Island is purifying 30,000 cubic metres per hour using positive ionisation technology, EAD highlighted.
Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, EAD’s managing director, previously said they "will explore the possibilities of introducing (more) smog-free towers across other areas in Abu Dhabi in the future".
Countries like China, the Netherlands and Poland have used Smog-Free Towers to improve air quality.
The EAD's air quality monitoring system was also expanded over the last 12 months, linking 40 factory chimneys electronically.
More than 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste have been recovered under a strategy to achieve a circular economy and zero waste.
Seventy reverse vending machines and 26 smart containers for recycling plastic bottles have been placed across the emirate, EAD highlighted. It also launched a bottle return scheme to incentivise residents to reduce waste.
It was part of Abu Dhabi's ambitious plan to recycle 20 million single-use plastic bottles every year.
The emirate also expanded its wider single-use plastic ban by adding some Styrofoam products to the list as it tackles plastic pollution.
72
The use of recycled water for agriculture increased to 72 per cent, with a proposal to use desalinated water to irrigate 7,600 farms also in the pipeline.
The aim is to achieve responsible use of water and reduce dependence on groundwater extraction.
A water management policy across Abu Dhabi’s district cooling plants has also been outlined.
45
Clean energy made up 45 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total energy mix, which primarily increased due to the operation of the Barakah 3 nuclear power plant.
The fourth and final unit of the plant connected to the UAE power grid in March, adding 1,400 megawatts of clean energy to the national grid.
Abu Dhabi's 1.5 gigawatt solar plant, which is expected to become operational in 2026 or earlier, is also expected to reduce the emirate’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2.4 million metric tonnes per year.
The emirate's low-carbon hydrogen policy was also adopted, with plans to power parks with “clean electricity”.
A transition to a clean-energy transport system was also formulated, with a focus on electric vehicles and shared mobility under the newly approved autonomous framework.
22
The five-year Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy includes 85 projects to reduce emissions by 22 per cent and develop adaptation plans for key sectors.
The Abu Dhabi Energy Outlook 2050 initiative was also unveiled, setting a long-term framework for a gradual transition towards carbon neutrality.
The pilot phase of the hospitality sector Carbon Calculator was also launched, and the fifth greenhouse gas emissions inventory and future estimates for the emirate completed.
8
Eight universities and more than 250 climate experts have joined the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN) to promote innovation in green science and technology.
Multiple research projects have been conducted aboard the vessel Jaywun, including an atmospheric research trip that sailed via 25 countries and eight seas.
In addition, 15 young UAE National cadres have been trained in marine research.
The largest gathering of western osprey in the Arabian Gulf region was monitored, and eight new species of digger wasps were discovered in the emirate's nature reserves.
The data ecology analyst on a mission to protect UAE's treasured mangroves – in pictures
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
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The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
PRISCILLA
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
LUKA CHUPPI
Director: Laxman Utekar
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
