Environment and government agenda
Under the ‘Forward diplomacy’ pillar of ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, the UAE seeks to be a leading country in supporting the global agenda for environmental sustainability, pioneering green innovation and a clean and zero-emissions future.
Environment, energy and ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision
Under the ‘Forward diplomacy’ pillar of ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, the UAE seeks to be a leading country in supporting the global agenda for environmental sustainability, pioneering green innovation and a clean and zero-emissions future. It aims to:
- make quantum leaps towards ‘Net Zero’, establishing itself as an environmentally responsible nation and a role model for adopting eco-friendly economic and social best practices and
- serve as a centre for innovation in sustainability by utilising science and technology, knowledge and expertise to drive the green revolution forward.
Environment Vision 2030
Read about the Environment Vision 2030 for the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Entities in charge of environment
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is the federal authority for environmental planning and action in the UAE. In collaboration with the competent local authorities concerned with environment, it works on developing environmental programmes and initiatives that aim to contribute to the sustainability of water, enhance food security, raise the rates of bio-security and enhance environmental security. The action plans of the ministry emerge from its vision to ensure sustainable environment for life.
The ministry launched National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017–2050 (PDF, 3 MB) which serves as a roadmap to bolster nationwide actions for climate mitigation. Through this plan, the UAE will further strive to be at the frontline of global efforts to prove that climate action can go hand in hand with continuous economic development. The document serves as a complementary plan of action that specifically addresses climate change.
Other entities
In addition to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, there is a competent authority for environmental protection in each emirate. They are:
Environmental awareness
Environmental awareness aims at developing the culture of the society regarding environment and promoting environmental behaviour of individuals, which helps to conserve and properly manage natural resources.
The bodies concerned with the environment protection organise educational campaigns at the emirate or federal level in coordination with the respective federal agency.
The type and slogans of these campaigns are based on the needs of the UAE's community in the areas of environmental awareness and education.
In recent years, environmental education has become one of the salient elements in curriculum development in the United Arab Emirates. Accordingly, efforts have been directed to include environmental content in school curricula and textbooks.
Therefore, Ministry of Education has been keen to incorporate the environmental dimension in school curricula of all stages, by addressing the environmental issues that affect student's environment, in order to open the way for discussion on sustainable solutions.
As part of the involvement of global stakeholders in the wheel of promoting environmental knowledge, the Eco-Schools Initiative was launched. It is a global initiative led by the Emirates Wildlife Society in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), aiming to encourage environmental action in schools.
Useful inks:
- Education and awareness materials - Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi
- Environment - Abu Dhabi Municipality
- Calendar of local, regional and global environmental events - Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
- Bee'ah School of Environment.
