EAD Issues a New Soil Quality Regulation in The Emirate

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the issuance of a new soil quality regulation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The edict was created to ensure sustainable soil management and to preserve the soil’s basic functions and vital services as well as meet the requirements of current and future uses. The regulation also aims to reduce the damage caused by soil pollution. The provisions of the regulation apply to terrestrial protected areas and unexploited sites in the emirate, in addition to contaminated or potentially contaminated sites and soils that fall within the geographical scope of the environmental license issued by EAD for the facility or project. The regulation specifies the requirements for soil quality in terrestrial protected areas, as well as the obligations of licensed facilities and projects in terms of the necessary measures required to reduce potential negative environmental impacts on human health and the ecosystem in general.

EAD and Khalifa University Embark on Discovery Mission aboard Jaywun

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced that a team of scientists and marine researchers were on board the region’s most advanced marine research vessel Jaywun, leading the first comprehensive modern sediment survey off the coast of Abu Dhabi, to explore the effects of climate change on the Arabian Gulf’s distinctive marine ecosystem. This discovery will pave the way for future research opportunities. The project was initially launched as part of the expedition under the multilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the EAD, OceanX, Bayanat, and M42, aboard the Ocean Explorer across the UAE in December 2023. The study aims to uncover critical insights into marine ecosystems and through mapping of the seafloor it will also shed light on underwater features of the Arabian Gulf along Abu Dhabi’s Coast. Future missions on Jaywun, including an extended study off the coast of Fujairah, will continue to build on these findings.

EAD Issues a Decision Regarding the Assessment and Management of Risks Related to Soil Pollution

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a resolution on the assessment and management of risks resulting from soil pollution in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The ruling aims to regulate the procedures for assessing and managing risks related to soil pollution and explains the mechanism for taking corrective measures to ensure sound environmental management practices. The provisions of the resolution apply to terrestrial protected areas and unused/undeveloped sites in the emirate, in addition to polluted or exposed sites and soils that fall within the geographical scope of the environmental license issued by EAD for a facility or project. The resolution specifies the procedures for risk assessment resulting from soil pollution in the targeted sites, in accordance with any environmental impact assessments and environmental studies required by the Agency from facilities and projects whose activities require an environmental license issued by the Agency. The resolution also specifies the rehabilitation procedures for polluted sites and soils in terms of the preparation and implementation of mitigation plans and/or environmental action plans based on the results of the initial or detailed assessments.

EAD Launches the First Edition of Abu Dhabi Pearls Festival

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Pearls Festival, which will be held for the first time in the emirate from 17 to 23 January. The festival aims to celebrate the marine environment and pride in Abu Dhabi’s pearl heritage, while building bridges between the past and the present to transfer knowledge to future generations. The seven-day festival will take place at the Abu Dhabi Pearls Centre in Al Mirfa City, providing visitors the opportunity to learn about the centre – established in 2007 as a pioneering regional facility for the sustainable aquaculture pearl of local oysters – with the aim of preserving and reviving the Emirate’s rich heritage of pearl diving and its traditions.  The festival offers a variety of interactive educational, entertainment and heritage activities and workshops that enable visitors learn about the emirate’s deeply rooted maritime and pearl-diving traditions, through these experiences, the festival aims to strengthen national identity and connect different generations by celebrating this authentic heritage.

EAD Issues a Regulation on Environmental Administrative Violations and Fines in the Emirate

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a regulation concerning reconciliation and appeal procedures related to environmental administrative violations and fines within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The regulation provides a clear mechanism for both reconciliation and appeal processes, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for each procedure, promoting transparency, and encouraging violators to reconcile and voluntarily pay any administrative fines incurred. The regulation stipulates that settlement is not permitted for repeated violations unless one calendar year has passed from the date of the previous violation. It also prohibits reconciliation for violations defined by the Agency or those that have environmental impact, as determined by EAD. Furthermore, the regulation states that in cases where reconciliation cannot be offered to the violator or is rejected, or where the settlement deadline has expired, the violator must pay the full fine within a specified period from the date of the procedural report’s issuance. The violator is also obligated to correct the violation’s impact and restore the situation to its original pre-violation state within a timeline set by the EAD. If the violator fails to do so, EAD will mitigate the impact at the violator’s expense.

EAD Awarded Gold for Best Waste Diversion/ Reduction Initiative at MEWAR Awards

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has been honored with the prestigious Gold Award in the Best Waste Diversion/Reduction Initiative (Government Sector) category at the 6^th edition of the Middle East Waste & Recycling (MEWAR) Awards that was held on 22 November 2024. The award acknowledged EAD’s significant positive impact through appropriate waste diversion/reduction initiatives and projects that were implemented during the last years in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, this recognition underscores EAD’s exceptional commitment to sustainability and its innovative approach to waste management, positioning the emirate as a regional leader in environmental responsibility. EAD’s award-winning initiative exemplifies the agency’s dedication to achieving net zero waste by 2041, an ambitious goal set forth by the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Strategy. This comprehensive strategy encompasses pioneering projects and initiatives targeting multiple sectors to reduce waste generation, improve recycling rates, and foster a circular economy. The recognition highlights EAD’s leadership in aligning with global sustainability standards and federal and local targets as well as promoting environmental stewardship.

EAD Suspends Operations of Two Industrial Facilities for violating the environmental regulations and laws

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a decision to temporarily suspend the operations of two industrial facilities, and imposed a fine on one of the facilities, due to repeated regulatory and legal violations and their failure to comply with the requirements and conditions related to preserving public health and ensuring environmental safety to enhance the quality of life in the emirate. The Agency explained that this decision was based on regular inspection visits and escalating enforcement procedures, in addition to reports from its air quality monitoring stations. The results of these reports showed that the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from the operational processes of the two facilities have exceeded the allowed limits, which led to negative impacts on human health and the environment in the surrounding areas.