Abu Dhabi cuts daily use of plastic bags by half a million

Abu Dhabi: Over the past 12 months, Abu Dhabi has reduced the daily use of single-use plastic bags by more than 500,000, and the emirate has also collected 30 million plastic water bottles for recycling.

These are some of the biggest initiatives launched by the Environment Authority of Abu Dhabi (EAD), the UAE’s environmental sector regulator, in 2022, and are now detailed in EAD’s newly released annual report.

The ban on single-use plastic is understandably the most dramatic change, calling for a change in the way residents live.

“2022 is another year of accomplishment and success for EAD as we launch and implement several projects and initiatives that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s pioneering role in protecting the environment at the local, regional and global levels – This is in line with the UAE’s ambitious goals Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said:

“One of the most important projects of the past 12 months has been the implementation of our single-use plastic policy, which includes a ban on single-use plastic bags in Abu Dhabi. This initiative is in line with welcoming this approach and providing the support needed to achieve its goals in collaboration with major retail outlets of the United Arab Emirates. Through this project, we have managed to reduce the daily consumption of plastic bags by more than half a million. In line with the vision of the UAE government, we are working towards a total ban on all single-use plastic bags across the country by 2024 Plastic bags,” she added.

The emirate also launched its Centennial Vision 2071 last year, which aims to spread a shared environmental vision for the next 50 years. Abu Dhabi Environment Centennial 2071 is in line with the UAE government’s commitment to make it the best country in the world ahead of the Union’s 100th anniversary.

With the ban on single-use plastic bags in Abu Dhabi effective June 1, 2022, consumers are turning to sustainable and reusable plastic bags to reduce their environmental impact, according to EAD. The ban, which is part of Abu Dhabi’s single-use plastic policy, was implemented in close cooperation with Abu Dhabi’s largest retailers, and data collected from EAD’s retail partners shows that since the ban was implemented, the number of single-use plastic shopping luggage Reduced by more than 90%.

Another aspect of the policy is the recycling of 30 million plastic bottles in 2022, compared to 7.25 million plastic bottles in 2021. Currently, more than 850,000 plastic bottles are collected for recycling each week.

In support of single-use plastic policy, EAD has set an ambitious long-term goal through a campaign called ”Mission Zero”. The campaign consists of various offline and online activities aimed at all community members, Retailers, restaurants, and especially young people.

One of EAD’s most outstanding achievements was its launch in February 2022 during the meeting of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Prince William on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative. The Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative was established to provide a platform for the development of innovative mangrove plantation solutions while helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves and the need to restore them.

Another key highlight for 2022 will be the inauguration of the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The first of its kind in the UAE and one of the first in West Asia, the area consists of more than 1,700 fossilized sand dunes spread over 7 square kilometers.

EAD also launched two mobile apps last year: BAADR and Abu Dhabi Nature. BAADR, sponsored by Borouge, rewards residents and citizens of Abu Dhabi for different actions that help protect the environment across the emirate. Abu Dhabi Nature is a free tool that helps the public learn about Abu Dhabi’s more than 4,000 species of flora and fauna. One of the main features of the app is Citizen Science, which allows users to submit photos or videos of any species they might find in wild ecosystems.

Furthermore, during 2022, EAD and ENGIE announced the success of the second phase of the “Blue Carbon” environmental and social responsibility project in cooperation with Distant Imagery. The project has attracted attention for its highly innovative drone-based mangrove planting technology, planting more than 35,000 mangrove seeds in Abu Dhabi’s Mirfa Lagoon.

EAD has successfully transferred 20 Arabian oryx to the Shumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Jordan as part of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s Arabian oryx reintroduction programme, considered one of the most successful conservation projects in the world . Continuing the largest mammal reintroduction program in the world, the IAEA also successfully transferred 20 elands and 25 addaxes to the Ouadi Rime-Ouadi Achim Game Reserve in Chad.chief’s success

The Zayed Falcon Reintroduction Program continues with the release of 71 falcons into the wild in Kazakhstan. Since its inception in 1995, the program has successfully returned 2,159 falcons to their natural habitat.

In addition, EAD has rescued more than 250 sea turtles with support from the National Aquarium through the Wildlife Rescue Program.

For the third year in a row, EAD achieved a significant improvement in its Sustainable Fisheries Index, increasing from 8.9 percent in 2018 to 62.3 percent by the end of 2021.

The watchdog also assisted in the discovery of a new species of eagle ray (Aetomylaeus wafickii) in Abu Dhabi waters, which has been added to the global list.

The agency has also made strides in promoting sustainable business development. The launch of EAD’s ‘Green Industry’ environmental labeling scheme was created based on best international eco-labelling practices, taking into account the nature of Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector. The program aims to create a mutually supportive partnership to strengthen the contribution of industrial facilities in the field of environmental protection.