Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Issues Decree on Environmental Data Reporting

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), has issued Decree No. (1) of 2024 on environmental data reporting. The decree establishes rules, requirements and regulations to protect the environment from pollution by identifying and monitoring the types and quantities of pollutants discharged into the environment by various facilities and projects, and to determine the extent of their commitment. In addition, the decree facilitates the creation of a comprehensive, unified environmental database to identify the locations, quantities, and contents of the discharges to the environment.

The decree applies to all establishments and projects operating in the emirate that are licensed by EAD or those required by the Agency to comply with the decree. EAD will monitor the decree’s implementation through enforcement procedures, environmental auditing and comprehensive environmental monitoring programmes in coordination with the relevant authorities. The decree stipulates that the facility and project, whose activities result in discharges to the environment, must prepare an environmental data report and submit it to EAD during the first quarter of each year as per requirements set forth by the Agency. The report must include data on their consumption of the energy and water, in addition to measurements showing pollutants discharged into the environment in a manner that does not conflict with environmental regulations or licensing requirements.

EAD Receives Two Champion Plus Awards from United Nations Environment Programme’s Convention

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) was honoured with two Champion Plus Awards in a ceremony on 12th February – the opening day of the Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals which took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in February. EAD received the Champion Plus Awards for its commitment and efforts in supporting the “Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa & Eurasia”, as well as the “Conservation of Dugongs and their Habitats” throughout their range for the period 2024-2027.

The Champion Plus Awards are bestowed on entities who have supported the Convention on Migratory Species’ (CMS) initiatives under the Migratory Species Champion Programme. The Agency was recognised for supporting the programme including implementation of actions under two MoUs of the CMS Office – Abu Dhabi since its inception in 2009 – the convention’s only office outside Bonn. The CMS Abu – Dhabi Office implements conservation activities for dugongs and African-Eurasian raptors, under two respective MoUs. The agreements were signed in October 2007 and October 2008 respectively and have been the umbrella under which several significant local and international initiatives have been launched.  The UAE is signatory to both the MoUs and also signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species.

Abu Dhabi hosts significant populations of dugongs and sea turtles, especially the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, and EAD has developed a long-term research, monitoring, and management programme for the conservation of these species and their habitats. Abu Dhabi hosts one of the world’s largest dugong populations, which, despite the threats it has faced, has remained stable due to effective conservation measures taken by the Agency. With an estimated 3,000 dugongs in the Abu Dhabi population, it is the second largest after Australia. Under the Dugongs MoU EAD has worked with the CMS Abu Dhabi Office in developing the award winning the ‘Dugong-Seagrass Research Toolkit’ and the ‘2030 Seagrass Breakthrough’ initiative.

Ghars Al Emarat Initiative: EAD Plants 10 Mangrove Trees for Each COP28 Visitor

As part of the Ghars Al Emarat (UAE Planting) initiative to plant 10 mangroves for each visitor to COP28, which was held from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Expo City Dubai, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced that it has planted 850,000 mangrove trees along Abu Dhabi’s coastal areas. The mangrove trees were planted in locations that offered the most suitable environments for growth, such as Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Al Mirfa city, and Jubail Island, and will help absorb 170 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually. The Agency announced the initiative, which is being implemented under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD’s Board of Directors, on the occasion of the country’s hosting of COP28. The initiative pledged to plant 10 mangrove trees for every visitor to the conference, using innovative methods, such as drone seeding. The rate of carbon uptake by trees is estimated at one tonne per 5,000 mangroves. This initiative reinforces the UAE’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality and promoting the adoption of nature-based solutions to reduce the effects of climate change.

The Ghars Al Emarat Initiative, created within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, also supports the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, launched in February 2022, during the meeting between His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and His Royal Highness Prince William, the Prince of Wales, at Jubail Mangrove Park. It was founded to provide a platform for developing innovative mangrove planting solutions, and contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change, while raising awareness of mangroves’ importance and the necessity of restoring them. The initiative also enhanced the emirate’s position as a leading global centre for mangrove conservation research and innovation.

EAD Expands Its Native Tree-Tagging Programme

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the expansion of its native tree-tagging programs to encompass all naturally occurring native trees in Abu Dhabi’s wild habitats and natural reserves. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Agency’s strategic partners aimed at bolstering sustainability, safeguarding Abu Dhabi’s natural heritage, and reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leader in environmental endeavours. The Agency aims to tag 100,000 native trees as part of the program, encompassing Ghaf, Samar, and Sidr trees, all of which naturally thrive in wild habitats and Protected Areas. In collaboration with its strategic partners, EAD has formulated the standards for tree tagging activities, which will be executed in diverse regions across the emirate. The program will be expanded to encompass trees in city parks, urban areas, and along roadsides through the tree-tagging initiative managed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). Additionally, native trees situated in agricultural zones and tourist sites will be included in the program, with collaboration and coordination involving the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). Furthermore, the program entails collecting data on the status of trees, aligning with standards compatible with the databases of the Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi (SCAD).

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, stated, “The Agency has developed this program in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who emphasizes the significance of fostering sustainability and safeguarding the country’s environmental and natural systems. This commitment is evident through the extension of the ‘Year of Sustainability’ initiative into 2024, reflecting the intention to build upon the successes of the previous year. This extension underscores the country’s dedication to realizing a prosperous and sustainable future for all”. The program will also contribute to enhancing data quality and updating the knowledge repository of relevant authorities concerning the status of native trees. It will achieve this by gathering comprehensive information specifically designed for utilization in specialized data collection and geographic linking applications. These applications are designed to facilitate the direct transfer of field data to the Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) environmental database, enabling real-time reporting on the program’s advancements. Furthermore, the Agency will collaborate with its partners to execute the electronic coding of native trees situated in forests and along highway belts, totalling over 20 million trees.

EAD announces the 2024 Grazing Season in Abu Dhabi will Run from May 15 to October 15

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the dates of the 2024 grazing season in the emirate, running from May 15 to October 15, in order to ensure the recovery of vegetation and enhance and sustain biodiversity. The mandated grazing season was introduced to give the pastures an opportunity for natural regeneration and ensure their continuity for future generations. This announcement is part of the Executive Regulations of Law No. (11) of 2020 framework regarding the regulation of grazing in Abu Dhabi. The regulations were issued by EAD, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAD, with EAD being the competent authority for environmental affairs in Abu Dhabi. The Agency is responsible for implementing this law, which aims to regulate grazing to protect natural pastures and promote sustainable traditional practices in coordination with the concerned authorities. The law will secure protected areas and critical and sensitive natural habitats.

Based on the regulation, EAD is issuing licences to owners and breeders of livestock to regulate grazing activity and all related activities in Abu Dhabi. To obtain a grazing licence, the applicant must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and should not be less than 21 years’ old. The applicant must also have a valid livestock inventory certificate approved by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Once the application fees have been paid, livestock owners and breeders who meet the requirements can apply for a licence to EAD. They must also submit a copy of their ID card, and an approved and valid animal wealth inventory certificate which proves their ownership of the livestock. They must also be registered in the emirate’s animal identification and registration system by the relevant authorities. The applicant must also identify the individuals who will accompany and care for the livestock and provide a copy of their Emirates ID cards. Licence holders will be allowed to graze in open wild areas and should stay 2 km away from reserves, forests, residential, military, petroleum and private areas, and all prohibited roads and places. They will also be required not to leave grazing livestock unaccompanied, and to adhere to the period specified for grazing in this licence.