EAD Holds Annual Stakeholders Event and Celebrates Fruitful Cooperation and Achievements Over the Past Year 

EAD hosted its annual partners forum on the second of February, during which EAD’s achievements in the field of environmental protection were highlighted. Furthermore, the fruitful cooperation with the Agency’s partners was celebrated, and their role in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s global position in preserving the environment was lauded. The meeting was attended by Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, alongside a number of senior officials and department heads from 65 government and private organisations.

The meeting highlighted EAD’s achievements over the last year as part of the ongoing pursuit of its strategic vision to ensure a sustainable future for all. To achieve this, the Agency is constantly working to preserve biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, monitor the quality of air, marine water, and soil, and preserve the sustainability and health of the land and marine environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

In a speech delivered during the forum, Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Al Dhaheri, said: “As we reflect on the past year, we welcome the new year with renewed hopes, dreams and aspirations, and with enhanced determination to witness new achievements and successes under our wise leadership, which is our driving and inspiring force, directing our progress towards a more sustainable future.”

EAD to Remotely Measure Vehicle Emissions in Abu Dhabi Using Innovative Laser-Based Technology

 EAD begin remotely measuring vehicle emissions on the roads of Abu Dhabi using the latest innovative technology. In partnership with 4 Earth Intelligence Environmental Consultancy LLC (4EI) and Hager Environmental & Atmospheric Technologies (HEAT) of the United States, EAD will be using HEAT’s patented NASA Spinoff remote-sensing system, EDAR (Emissions Detection and Reporting), which will detect and quantify on-road emissions measurements using its laser-based overhead detectors in real time. The testing period will last for three weeks and be conducted across six different locations in Abu Dhabi.

Through this non-intrusive technology, EAD will be able to accurately detect and quantify various gases being emitted from the tailpipe of a moving vehicle in real-time. This is in addition to identifying the vehicle license plate number, which is used only to acquire technical information of the vehicle, like brand, model, fuel type, emission standard and vehicle weight. No personal data will be used in this study.

The initiative is a part of the Integrated Air Quality Management Programme established by EAD. The initiative will establish a baseline for future policies and regulations, identify the main emitting vehicle classes and technologies, and help support the design of effective mitigation measures. The study will also establish the input data for air quality modelling, develop local air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factors, while enhancing academic research and innovation projects.

To improve marine water quality in Abu Dhabi and reduce marine pollution

EAD issues marine water quality policy

EAD has issued a policy on sustaining marine water quality that reviews the current situation and main challenges related to marine water quality in the emirate. The policy is part of EAD’s efforts to maintain and sustain Abu Dhabi’s marine waters, and limit practices that can cause marine pollution.

The policy aims to develop relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks, and halt discharges that may have adverse impacts on the marine environment by fostering recycling and reuse programmes. The policy will also develop a programme that enhances preparedness in cases of emergency that affect marine water quality and will enhance knowledge and awareness about the potential adverse impacts of pollutants, proposing solutions to mitigate these.

Contributing to addressing the challenges facing marine water quality in the emirate, the policy is part of a sustainable solution to achieve EAD’s vision. The implementation of the policy will improve the performance of environmental indicators in the emirate, ensure the sustainability of fishing activities as part of the emirate’s social heritage, as well as promoting recreational, tourism and marine sports activities.

EAD issues general policy for managing, organising and protecting groundwater in the emirate, ensuring optimal water usage and preventing waste

As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability of Abu Dhabi’s groundwater reserves and to secure future water supplies and enhance sustainable water use measures, the EAD has issued a general policy for managing, organising and protecting groundwater in the emirate. The policy not only reviews the current state of groundwater in Abu Dhabi, but states the challenges and implications of its depletion, as well as the policy’s principles and legal framework.

The policy was based on Law No. (5) of 2016 regarding the regulation of groundwater in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and aims to: ensure its optimal use while reducing wastage, further build comprehensive knowledge of groundwater resources, and promote the use of sound irrigation techniques, methods and practices that reduce consumption.

EAD and Emirates Nature-WWF join hands to drive public participation in scientific research across the UAE

EAD and Emirates Nature-WWF announced the launch of a comprehensive citizen science programme, under the name Sahim.  The programme will engage volunteers and harness large-scale public participation in a series of projects that address real-world environmental problems, in ways that include formulating research questions, collecting and analysing data, interpreting results, and making new discoveries.

Citizen Science is a way to contribute to real science and act for the environment while learning something new directly from scientists. It brings everyone into the important work of learning more about and protecting our planet. Volunteers and scientists work together to answer real-world questions.

Sahim’s approach serves the dual purpose of gathering useful data to support decision-making and the opportunity to engage the community in a meaningful way to participate in environmental causes they care about; therefore, translating awareness and advocacy into meaningful action with tangible and far-reaching impacts.

H.E. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General, said: “EAD is delighted to extend its long-standing partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF to launch UAE’s comprehensive citizen science programme. The value proposition for “Sahim” is clear and easily demonstrated; as an environmental regulator, we need to access large sets of data that inform our environmental policies, which we can expedite through the involvement of citizen scientists. Their contributions towards a diverse range of missions, including tracking waste and observing birds, marine animals, and other species will help us understand trends and act based on these insights.”

EAD Also announced the launch of its new SAHIM app. The first-of-its-kind app which comes under the umbrella of the “SAHIM” programme.

EAD and The National Aquarium rescues, rehabilitates and releases over 500 sea turtles under the official Wildlife Rescue Program

This marks a major milestone for the first wildlife rescue rehabilitation and release programme in the Emirate, jointly launched by EAD  and The National Aquarium in 2020

EAD and The National Aquarium (TNA) have safely rescued over 500 sea turtles as part of their joint Wildlife Rescue Programme, the first rescue, rehabilitation and release initiative in Abu Dhabi.  The programme was launched in July 2020 and includes purpose-built laboratories, research and rehabilitation facilities at The National Aquarium. In 2022 the Wildlife Rescue Programme launched a first-of-its-kind rescue boat in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, and plans are underway for a first-of-its-kind wildlife ambulance, capable of providing immediate first aid on remote beaches. The programme continues to grow each year in an effort to protect and celebrate the natural treasures of the U.A.E