From sea heroes to green buildings: 6 ways the UAE is building a sustainable future – News

The country aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050

From protecting coastlines to building energy-efficient buildings, the UAE is taking collective action for a sustainable future.

On Sunday, the country launched a new campaign to highlight success stories in sustainable development to attract more people to contribute to the UAE’s climate action efforts.

The move aims to encourage local community members to engage and support strategies related to climate action. The UAE hopes more people will join the initiative, which will have a positive impact and create an environmentally conscious community.

Here are six initiatives the country is taking to achieve net zero emissions:

1. Green buildings: Some of the UAE’s most iconic buildings are also its most sustainable. In 2010, the UAE Cabinet approved green building and sustainable building standards for nationwide application. The project is expected to save AED 10 billion by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions by around 30%. In addition to this, several private companies have been investing in improving the energy efficiency of buildings. At a recent property development company Aldar revealed that they had invested Dh70 million in upgrading fittings in older properties to improve energy efficiency.

2. Sea Hero: With approximately 1,318 kilometers of coastline, the UAE employs a variety of sustainable practices to protect coastal and marine ecosystems that are critical to its future. One of these initiatives is the Jaywun, a 50-meter oceanographic research vessel to monitor the UAE’s marine environment, with the aim of assessing the effects of climate change and providing a reliable scientific platform for the UAE’s marine research needs. The country also has 16 marine protected areas.

3. Climate makers: Some members of the UAE community are working on innovative climate and environmental initiatives to build a sustainable future. While the country has decided to appoint ADNOC Group CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber as President-elect of COP28 and Minister of State for Youth Shamma Al Mazrui as Youth Climate Champion. Meanwhile, Razan Al Mubarak, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, is a senior UN climate change advocate. Earlier this year, the Dubai Press Club and UAE-based social enterprise Goumbook launched a podcast featuring interviews with individuals who have made significant contributions to the sustainability and climate action movement in the UAE and beyond.

4. Sustainability: Some local businesses and products are contributing to the sustainable future of the UAE. For example, homegrown food tech startup Switch Foods announced the successful launch of Abu Dhabi’s first state-of-the-art exclusive plant-based meat production facility earlier this year. Additionally, the number of companies in the Masdar City Free Zone has increased by 26% in 2020, with more than 900 sustainability-focused innovation and technology companies based there.

5. Sustainable Tourism: Operating a sustainable tourism model is critical to the country’s vision for the future – it benefits everyone. As part of its mandate, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has launched a multi-phase national project called ‘Natural Wonders of the UAE’ to promote ecotourism in the seven emirates.

In an initial phase that involved raising awareness of the country’s 43 nature reserves, MOCCAE produced a wealth of information material, photos and videos.

6. Protected areas: Through collaborative initiatives and innovative solutions, the UAE is protecting its fragile and unique natural ecosystems. By 2020, there will be 49 nature reserves across the country. The number of protected areas designated as Wetlands of International Importance within the framework of the Ramsar Convention increased from 2 nature reserves in 2010 to 10 in 2019. There are 13 terrestrial protected areas and 6 marine protected areas as part of Sheikh Zayed’s network of protected areas.