UAE: Reclassify 64 air quality monitoring systems

Dubai: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has updated the classification of 64 air quality monitoring stations as part of the Year of Sustainable Development initiative and to improve quality of life to improve community health and well-being. This reclassification is in line with the ministry’s 2022 directive setting out the requirements for classifying the sites, reinforcing the country’s commitment to upholding the highest environmental and climatic standards.

Numerous strategic objectives can be achieved through the application of the Station Classification Guide. These include improving communication of air quality conditions in different parts of the country, improving the annual reporting process for submitting pollutant data to international sources, and enabling policy makers to compare sites and develop necessary plans to improve air quality.

The guidance also facilitates comparisons of ambient air quality levels monitored at a station with similar stations in different locations, based on the classification of the station. This allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis, paving the way for custom solutions for each site.

To coincide with the Year of Sustainable Development and as part of the UAE’s preparations to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), the decision aims to create a unified national system to classify air quality monitoring stations across the country. This approach makes the sites more suitable for evaluation and comparison, thereby strengthening the country’s commitment to its environmental responsibility.

The reclassification is part of an effort to meet the goals of the National Air Quality Agenda 2031. MOCCAE launched this agenda last September after the UAE Cabinet approved it. The agenda serves as a guiding framework for federal and local government agencies and private sector organizations to collaborate in monitoring and managing air quality, reducing pollution, and improving air quality. It is in line with the broader objectives of fostering a safe and healthy environment, improving living conditions and achieving the UAE Centenary 2071 goals.

All government entities involved in the management and operation of air quality monitoring stations collaborated to reclassify 64 national monitoring stations. This includes National Meteorological Centre, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, Environment and Protected Areas Authority – Sharjah (EPAA), Ajman City and Planning Department, Ras Al Khaimah Environmental Protection and Development Authority, Umm Quwain City, Fujairah Environmental Management Authority and BEEAH Group.

In addition, best practices from several countries, including the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Kuwait, were considered during the development phase of the guidelines to classify air quality monitoring stations.