The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued its 2022 Annual Report, highlighting the Agency’s key achievements.
For the fourth consecutive 12 months, the report was issued digitally and showcased how EAD fulfils its mandate of defending Abu Dhabi’s atmosphere to create a sustainable future for upcoming generations. As a part of its mission, the Agency displays and conserves land, water, and air high quality, encourages the safeguarding of pure assets, as effectively to the mitigation of local weather change and all its disastrous results.
Within the foreword of the report, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Consultant in Al Dhafra Area, and Chairman of the Board of Administrators of EAD, mentioned, “In 2022, EAD asserted its management and succeeded in strengthening the nationwide and world place of Abu Dhabi and its energetic function in preserving the atmosphere and defending species. The Agency’s programmes have been shortlisted by the United Nations Environment Programme on its record of high ten world initiatives to revive and rehabilitate environmental eco-systems, additional reinforcing the distinctiveness and distinction of our formidable environmental programmes and initiatives which have turn out to be worldwide fashions of excellence.”
Constructive local weather motion
Sheikh Hamdan added, “It was also a decisive year of positive climate action, during which EAD intensified its efforts to support the vision and aspirations of the UAE government, and, thanks to its pioneering leadership role in Abu Dhabi, reduced the effects of climate change which further contributes to achieving the goals of the strategic climate neutrality by 2050 initiative.”
He additional said, “In 2022, EAD strengthened cooperation with relevant partners at the national and local levels across both the government and private sectors, with the aims of preserving the environment, combatting climate change, developing clear plans to reduce emissions for specific sectors, reducing pollutants, and monitoring air quality in inaccessible areas of concern. Those efforts included the preparation of a comprehensive policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the flexibility of adaptation to climate change in Abu Dhabi – taking into account social, economic, and cultural incentives – while achieving a balance between the needs of society and preserving the environment”.
He concluded, “Thanks to a specialised team of climate action experts and elite negotiators, the Agency was able to play an effective role during its participation at COP27, highlighting the pioneering efforts led by Abu Dhabi in fighting climate change, in addition to sharing knowledge with organisations and experts from all over the world to achieve positive results during the conference. Our participation also enhanced our knowledge of international best practices in the implementation of climate mitigation actions and helped us learn from other countries experiences while sharing our own experiences in this field – all of which will enable us to achieve the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership and ensure our country’s readiness to host COP28 in 2023.”
Exemplary initiatives
Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of EAD, mentioned within the foreword of the report, “The year 2022 was marked by several achievements that helped realise EAD’s vision, as it was full of exemplary projects that laid the foundations for achieving even greater success. During the first quarter of the year, we launched the Environmental Centennial 2071 – a comprehensive, joint environmental vision for Abu Dhabi over the next 50 years. The vision reflects our commitment to becoming the pre-eminent environmental preservation organisation, and confirms our sustainability leadership, which has long been recognised around the world. The Environmental Centennial was inspired by the UAE Centennial 2071 initiative, which aspires to make the UAE the best country in the world by the 100th anniversary of the Union’s founding. And we at EAD will work around the clock to ensure the realisation of this ambitious goal.”
He elaborated, “We have already begun to take decisive and tangible steps to implement projects in support of Environmental Centennial 2071, and we have a dedicated team to ensure that we are advancing the strategic goals set out in this vision. We are moving in the right direction and are well on track to providing a safe and clean environment, and ensuring the sustainability of our resources for future generations.”
Influential voice in worldwide dialogue
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Member of the Board of Administrators of EAD, mentioned within the foreword, “Every year, I feel proud when I look at what we have achieved at EAD. In 2022, we continued our efforts to make a noticeable difference in the state of the environment in Abu Dhabi, ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
She added, “We have taken great strides in several directions towards combating climate change – from planting mangroves with drones to honouring industrial facilities that are actively reducing their emissions, thereby reducing the proportion of pollutants. We also look forward to strengthening our leading role in COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in 2023.”
She additional famous, “We also look forward to having an influential voice in the international dialogue, which constantly seeks to find innovative, practical, and realistic solutions that enable us to reduce the catastrophic effects of climate change. By building partnerships and promoting mutual cooperation, transparency, and accountability, we will all be able to help address the impacts of climate change around the world. This goal represents one of our main priorities at EAD, and as an authority specialised in environmental affairs in Abu Dhabi, we will work towards building a sustainable future that responds to the aspirations of the present and meets the expectations of future generations.”
Pioneering examples in sustainable improvement
Commenting on the achievements made by EAD over the previous 12 months, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-Basic of EAD, mentioned, “The year 2022 was yet another year full of achievements and successes by EAD, as we launched and implemented several projects and programmes that reinforced Abu Dhabi’s pioneering role in preserving the environment at the local, regional and global levels – in line with the UAE’s ambitious vision for sustainable development, and building on its significant successes that continue to resonate around the world.”
She said, “The leading role played by the UAE in the fields of innovation, environmental preservation, and sustainability has undoubtedly been achieved thanks to the directives and support of our wise leadership, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has a clear and enlightened vision that embodies the ambitions, hopes, and aspirations of the Emirati people. The UAE has always been regarded around the world as a pioneering example in the achievement of sustainable development goals, especially in the field of environmental protection.”
She added, “I would also like to express my gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose enlightened guidance enabled the Agency to successfully implement its vision of providing “a healthy, well-protected and sustainable environment that enhances the quality of life.”
She highlighted, “Among the most important projects of the last 12 months was the implementation of our Single-Use Plastic Policy, which included a ban on the use of single-use plastic bags in Abu Dhabi. The initiative was held in cooperation with major retail outlets that welcomed this approach and provided the support necessary to achieve its goals. Through this project, we managed to reduce the daily consumption of plastic bags by more than half a million. In line with the vision of the UAE government, we are on our way to implementing a complete ban on all single-use plastic bags across the country by 2024.”
Milestone initiatives
One among EAD’s most excellent achievements was the launch of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative in February 2022 throughout a gathering of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Government Council; and His Royal Highness Prince William, at Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative was established to supply a platform for the event of progressive mangrove planting options whereas serving to mitigate the results of local weather change and elevating consciousness of mangroves’ significance and the necessity to restore them.
One other key milestone of 2022 was the launch of ‘Abu Dhabi Environmental Centennial 2071’ – a shared, complete environmental imaginative and prescient for the Emirate for the subsequent 50 years, that outlines EAD’s dedication to make Abu Dhabi a world chief in environmental conservation. This imaginative and prescient is aligned with the UAE’s authorities’s pledge to be one of the best nation on this planet by the 100th anniversary of the union in 2071.
The Agency additionally made vital progress in its dedication to declare Abu Dhabi freed from single-use plastic merchandise, by imposing a ban on single-use plastic luggage on June 1st. Following the launch of the initiative, the Agency reported a major discount within the consumption of single-use plastic luggage, with shoppers switching to sustainable and reusable luggage to cut back their environmental footprint. The ban was carried out in shut cooperation with the biggest retailers in Abu Dhabi and knowledge collected from EAD’s retail companions revealed that for the reason that starting of the ban, the variety of single-use plastic purchasing luggage dropped by greater than 90 p.c, leading to a day by day use discount of half 1,000,000 luggage since June 1st.
Moreover, in 2022, greater than 30 million plastic bottles have been recovered, compared to 7.25 million bottles the earlier 12 months, and greater than 850,000 bottles are collected each week. To assist construct consciousness across the challenges of plastic air pollution, EAD disseminated a information titled ‘Becoming Free of Single-Use Products: A Guide for Abu Dhabi Government’ to all authorities companies, reaching greater than 3,000 authorities workers. Moreover, 15 consciousness classes have been organised, concentrating on completely different classes of youth and group teams, in addition to members of the non-public, industrial, and industrial sectors, with a complete of three,550 folks taking part.
Inspirational missions
To assist the Single-Use Plastic Coverage, EAD set an aspirational, long-term goal to attain zero consumption of single-use plastics, whereas producing zero waste and 0 carbon emissions, with zero affect on biodiversity by means of a public-facing marketing campaign generally known as ‘Mission to Zero.’ The marketing campaign was composed of varied offline and on-line activations concentrating on all group members, authorities departments and companies, retailers, eating places, and particularly, the youth.
One other necessary spotlight was His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurating the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Protected Space. The realm is the primary of its variety within the UAE, one of many first in West Asia, and includes greater than 1,700 fossil dunes, unfold over 7 sq. kilometres.
In 2022 EAD launched two cell phone purposes: BAADR, and Abu Dhabi Nature. BAADR, sponsored by Borouge, rewards Abu Dhabi residents and residents for finishing completely different actions that may assist shield the atmosphere throughout the emirate. Abu Dhabi Nature is a free device that helps educate the general public on greater than 4,000 species of animals and crops in Abu Dhabi. One of many app’s key options, Citizen Science, permits customers to submit images or movies of any species they might in spot in wild ecosystems.
Additionally, in 2022, EAD and ENGIE introduced the success of the “Blue Carbon” Environmental and Social Duty challenge’s second part, run in partnership with Distant Imagery. The programme garnered consideration for its extremely progressive, drone-based mangrove planting expertise, with greater than 35,000 mangrove seeds planted at Mirfa Lagoon in Abu Dhabi.
Conservation initiatives
As a part of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, considered one of many world’s most profitable conservation initiatives, EAD efficiently transferred 20 Arabian Oryx to Shumari Wildlife Reserve in Jordan. The Agency continued the world’s largest mammal reintroduction programme by additionally efficiently translocating 20 Scimitar-Horned Oryx and 25 Addax to Chad’s Ouadi Rime-Ouadi Achim Sport Reserve. The success of the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Launch Programme continued with the discharge of 71 falcons into the wilds of Kazakhstan. The programme has efficiently returned 2,159 falcons to their pure habitats since its institution in 1995.
As well as, EAD rescued over 250 turtles with the assist of The Nationwide Aquarium by means of the Wildlife Rescue Programme. Furthermore, for the third consecutive 12 months, EAD recorded a outstanding enchancment within the sustainable fishing index, which elevated from 8.9 p.c in 2018 to 62.Three p.c by the top of 2021. In regard to biodiversity, EAD found a brand new Eagle Ray Species (Aetomylaeus wafickii) in Abu Dhabi Waters which was added to the worldwide record.
Eco-labelling, awards and recognitions
One other outstanding achievement in 2022 was the launch of EAD’s ‘Green Industries’ Environmental Labelling Programme, created based on one of the best worldwide eco-labelling practices whereas taking into account the character of the economic sector in Abu Dhabi. The programme goals to construct mutually supportive collaborations to boost the contribution of business services within the area of environmental safety.
By way of awards and recognition, EAD gained the High quality Selection Prize within the Gold Class from the European Society for High quality Analysis. The Agency was awarded for its high quality administration and in depth programme implementation and is the primary environmental organisation in MENA to obtain this prestigious world award. The Agency was granted LEED Certification by the U.S. Inexperienced Constructing Council due to its excellent efforts in managing sustainable, wholesome, and environmentally pleasant buildings.
