EAD participates at the COP27

EAD was part of the UAE delegation headed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the UAE Climate Change Envoy Office that participated in the Conference of Parties of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP27. The event was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from 6-18 November. A dedicated EAD team of climate action experts and negotiators from EAD played an active role in sharing the Abu Dhabi story at COP 27.

EAD highlighted a series of projects that showcased the UAE’s commitment to pursuing a low carbon economy to create lasting economic and social development opportunities across all nations. These events include the Single-Use Plastic Policy, Blue Carbon and mangrove initiatives, a Youth Debate and EAD’s outreach youth programmes. The hosting of COP27 in the green city of Sharm El-Sheikh this year marked the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

EAD Signs an MoU with Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Majid Al Futtaim Retail at COP27

To promote the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions, EAD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates (MOCCAE) and Majid Al Futtaim Retail, operator of Carrefour in the UAE, during COP27 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The signing of the MoU was attended by HE Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Eng. Essa Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at MOCCAE and HE Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, the Secretary General of EAD, and Bernardo Perloiro, Chief Operating Officer, GCC at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.

The MoU will enhance cooperation between the parties to further integrate sustainability in the public and private sectors and seeks to help conserve natural and environmental resources by encouraging the use of reusable products to address the challenge of excessive plastic waste.

The three entities share a set of guiding principles in support of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative to achieve climate neutrality in the UAE. This includes encouraging the consumption of reusable products and alternatives with a low carbon footprint, as well as conducting studies into consumer incentives when it comes to purchasing reusable products.

Through the MoU, the three organisations will enhance awareness and knowledge of the environmental impact of plastic pollution, most importantly single-use plastic bags. They will work closely to measure the impact of the initiative by monitoring the decrease in single-use plastic bag usage and the rate of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the switch to reusable alternatives.

EAD works in partnership with the DoE to lead a paradigm shift in Abu Dhabi’s energy mix to reduce carbon emissions 60% clean electricity target set for UAE’s Abu Dhabi Emirate by 2035

 EAD in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE), is leading a fundamental shift in Abu Dhabi’s energy mix to achieve significantly lower carbon emissions in the Emirate. This will be achieved through new regulations aimed at generating a large proportion of Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s electricity from clean and renewable sources by 2035, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey to deliver carbon neutrality by 2050.

The new regulations, drafted by the DoE, will see 60% of the Emirate’s electricity being generated from clean and renewable sources by 2035, and up to 75% reduction in carbon emissions per MWh produced by the electricity sector. The DoE’s ‘Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production in Abu Dhabi’ regulatory framework is the first legally binding clean and renewable energy target in the Middle East for the electricity sector. It forms part of an ongoing energy transition to accelerate the UAE’s decarbonisation and green growth efforts.

EAD signs a Mou with Modon

EAD and Modon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on environmental initiatives to reduce air pollution, protect wildlife, marine life, and natural resources. This is in addition to developing programmes that ensure a safe and healthy environment and enhance Abu Dhabi’s efforts to achieve the goals of the UAE 2050 Climate Neutrality Strategic Initiative.

The MoU signing coincided with COP27. The MoU stems from the mutual desire of the two parties for constructive cooperation to achieve goals, policies, plans and strategic programmes, and with a special focus on cooperation for sustainable development and climate neutrality.

EAD Launches its Youth Eco-ranger Programme: ‘Murshed’

EAD participated in the International Boat Show from 24-27 November 2022 in ADNEC. EAD highlighted the Research Vessel, a state-of-the art ship fitted with the most innovative technology. The 50-metre multipurpose marine conservation and fisheries vessel will use environmentally-friendly technologies to conduct specialised research in the hottest sea in the world – the Arabian Gulf – as part of the UAE’s commitment to execute innovative and forward-looking scientific projects.

EAD had also an interactive touch wall to share information about EAD’s turtle rehabilitation project that had sensors, projection mapping and sound effects. To date EAD has rehabilitated and rescued more than 400 turtles in partnership with The National Aquarium. To reach out to fishermen to raise their awareness on fishing regulations and laws, EAD shared information about the Recreational Fishing Regulation and the different methods to practise sustainable fishing.

EAD participated in the International Boat Show from 24-27 November 2022 in ADNEC Marina where it highlighted key projects related to marine life.

EAD Hosts Youth Debate Around Climate Change

As part of its forward-looking vision and youth empowering agenda, EAD hosted a youth debate during COP27. The debate took place on the 10 November at the UAE Pavilion, and was organised in collaboration with the Federal Youth Authority of the UAE and covered the challenging topic of climate change and securing energy. Other stakeholders included the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, TAQA and ADNOC.

The 45-minute debate saw a dynamic battle between the team that supported the existence of opportunities in securing energy while limiting the repercussions of the climate change crisis, and the opposition team that opposed the idea. Both teams presented their point of view in the presence of the jury and the audience that later voted for the winning team.

The debate was won by the supporting team, who shared their point of view on the importance of energy security and mentioned some facts about greenhouse gas emissions and how energy resources can be changed and converted into resources that help reduce emissions. They also focused on the need to diversify clean energy sources such as renewable energy and supported their argument with examples from different countries of the world, including China and the UAE. The session was moderated by Nouf Al Qadi, Environmental Assessment Specialist in the Environmental Quality Sector at the Agency.

EAD participates at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show

EAD participated in the International Boat Show from 24-27 November 2022 in ADNEC. EAD highlighted the Research Vessel, a state-of-the art ship fitted with the most innovative technology. The 50-metre multipurpose marine conservation and fisheries vessel will use environmentally-friendly technologies to conduct specialised research in the hottest sea in the world – the Arabian Gulf – as part of the UAE’s commitment to execute innovative and forward-looking scientific projects.

EAD had also an interactive touch wall to share information about EAD’s turtle rehabilitation project that had sensors, projection mapping and sound effects. To date EAD has rehabilitated and rescued more than 400 turtles in partnership with The National Aquarium. To reach out to fishermen to raise their awareness on fishing regulations and laws, EAD shared information about the Recreational Fishing Regulation and the different methods to practise sustainable fishing.

EAD participated in the International Boat Show from 24-27 November 2022 in ADNEC Marina where it highlighted key projects related to marine life.