A stark assessment of the challenges facing the environment is outlined in the latest report from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi.
The comprehensive assessment of the state of the the capital's natural resources sets out the areas of greatest concern, but also highlights the EAD’s work to overcome them.
Its top priorities include the demands being put on ground water, protecting air quality, fighting climate change and conserving wildlife both on land and in the sea.
The issue of falling groundwater levels, the 2017 annual report says, is: “one of our most pressing challenges and greatest areas of concern.”
New laws were passed last year to protect groundwater wells from pollution and excessive use, which the EAD calls: “Essential to the security, cultural heritage and environment of the UAE.”
The report adds that: “These reserves have been severely depleted and our prevailing climatic conditions mean that replenishment takes place extremely slowly, falling far short of the demand for consumption.”
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Related: Conservation efforts in Abu Dhabi mean new hope for endangered species
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The EAD warns that in several areas, the quality of the remaining groundwater: “Has been tainted in places by rising levels of brackish groundwater from saline aquifers, as well as excessive use of fertilisers and discharge of brine from desalination plants, along with wastewater.”
In response, the agency says it has completed 99 per cent of the infrastructure for a strategic water reserve in Liwa that will use a system of recovery wells, recharge basins, pumps and tanks that can supply the entire city of Abu Dhabi and the Al Dhafra region with refreshed groundwater for 90 days.
A proposal has also been made to create another reserve in the Al Shuaib area that would ensure three months’ supply in an emergency for Al Ain, with the possibility of extending it to the Northern Emirates.
The EAD has also been successful in cutting the amount of groundwater used by forests by over a quarter and within the next 18 months will have mapped every working groundwater well in the Emirate.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD’s Secretary General, explained that: "We have made significant strides in improving the irrigation efficiency of Abu Dhabi’s forests, decommissioning very low ecological and cultural value forests that are not viable.”
The report underlines the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the 2016 Paris agreement on climate change, while outlining two widely different scenarios for the future.
EAD research concludes that: “Emissions in 2030 could be 170% higher than in 2010 if the current trend continues,” but says that there is the potential to slash them by 40 per cent if key economic sectors, including energy and waste, follow policies on emissions.
The agency sees potential in expanding and protecting mangroves as a method of scrubbing carbon from the atmosphere and says the promotion of clean energy technologies and use of low carbon fuel means that: “Abu Dhabi has performed relatively well in comparison to other developing countries.”
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Read more:
Measures to improve UAE air quality enacted
Radioactivity levels in UAE’s groundwater revealed
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The Agency identifies outdoor air pollution as: “The single biggest threat to the health of people and wildlife in the emirate,” and says it is now monitoring emissions across the Emirate, while creating regulatory standards for airborne pollutants, including ozone, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, a by-product of treating sour gas.
Air quality, the report says, generally meets Government standards set down in 2006, with the exception of ozone and particulate matter – a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid drops caused by urban pollution that can cause serious health issues for the heart and lungs.
Its research also shows that levels of mercury, another toxic substance generated by urban waste, rose by 10 per cent between 2010 and 2012, with the potential that it could rise 115 per cent by 2030.
At the same time, the EAD says, tougher controls mean instead that it is targeting a reduction in mercury levels of nearly 40 per cent and that it was the first agency in the region complete an inventory of mercury sources in response to the United Nations Environment Programme Minamata Convention.
Of the 23,000 tons of waste generated by Abu Dhabi every day in 2015, only around one per cent was considered hazardous. The main sources of waste, the EAD says, are industrial and commercial activities, almost matched by construction and demolition, together amounting for 73 per cent, with municipal waste accounting for only a fifth and agriculture just six percent.
Better waste management, the report says, means the Emirate is well on track to meet the targets in the Abu Dhabi Plan 2020, which seek drastic cuts of municipal solid waste generation to 1.5 kgs per capita each day and increase the amount of treated municipal waste to 75% by 2021.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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
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
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
