Abu Dhabi's new climate strategy will focus on a shift towards cleaner energy sources, especially solar power, a senior executive at the emirate's environment agency has told The National.
Abu Dhabi announced its ambitious Climate Change Strategy for 2023-2027 in July. It aims to reduce emissions by 30 million tonnes by 2027, from 135 million tonnes in 2016.
The new plan to tackle climate change is designed to move the emirate towards a sustainable future, said Sheikha Al Mazrouei, executive director of Integrated Environment Policy and Planning at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
“The strategy set an emission reduction target of 22 per cent from 2016 recorded emission levels by 2027,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.
“Greenhouse gases are measured by weight. This means that through the strategy, Abu Dhabi will reduce its emissions by 30 million tonnes by 2027 from the 135 million tonnes recorded in 2016.
Focus on low-carbon and renewables
“Different emitting sectors are going to contribute differently to achieve this target, but the main contribution will be coming from power production through low carbon clean energy sources and solar power introduction.”
The UAE’s energy portfolio includes solar, natural gas and nuclear. Nuclear energy is now the largest source of clean electricity in the UAE with the Barakah nuclear power plant generating up to 48 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s carbon-free electricity.
Emirates Water and Electricity Company announced in March that 80 per cent of the total power demand in Abu Dhabi is using renewable and clean energy from its solar and nuclear energy plants.
The climate strategy will be delivered through 81 initiatives, which include 12 key projects, covering all vulnerable or emitting sectors.
“The contributing emitting sectors projects cover oil and gas, energy, transport, industry, waste and agriculture. The main reduction of emissions will be in the power generation while diversifying the energy mix by introducing low-carbon power generation as well as renewables,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.
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The strategy is based on two main pillars: adaptation to decrease the impact of global warming on people, and mitigation which reduces the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Ms Al Mazrouei said Abu Dhabi will adapt to the expected risks of climate change by improving the resilience of the four key vulnerable sectors – energy, health, infrastructure and environment.
“The strategy makes adaptation to climate change part and parcel of government entities' plans,” she said.
“Additionally, it outlines Abu Dhabi's plan to reduce greenhouse gases significantly in line with the country's announced aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
“Likewise, the strategy drives innovation in carbon capture and storage, and identifies actions aimed at economic diversification towards low-carbon sectors.”
The emirate plans to mitigate climate change impact by reducing emissions in key sectors and carbon capture, sequestration and storage.
“This is enabled by economic diversification through innovative, low-carbon solutions and identified opportunities,” she said.
Ms Al Mazrouei said one of the main projects in the strategy is to develop green or sustainable procurement to support investment in lower emission production locally.
“EAD is working very closely with the Department of Economic Development and its affiliated Industrial Development Bureau to promote investment and develop local production capabilities in more sustainable products,” she said.
She said the ambitious climate strategy has been carefully crafted to address challenges beyond just temperature rise, including rising sea levels, humidity, water salinity and extreme weather events.
“Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, environment and ecosystem need to be protected from those impacts,” Ms Al Mazrouei said.
“Our existing and future infrastructure and key facilities must adapt to climate risks. Public health is another important area where projects are being designed to protect the public, especially workers, from exposure to heat stress resulting from the increased temperatures.”
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
