UAE leading the march to water security
UAE, one of the most arid countries in the world, is adopting effective solutions to achieve sustainable water security
Among the biggest environment news stories to grab the headlines this year has been the water crisis in Cape Town and the countdown to ‘Day Zero’, when taps in the city of four million people are expected to run dry. While Cape Town may have averted Day Zero until 2019 — thanks to extreme water rationing and an anticipated increase in rainfall — this crisis should serve as a wake-up call to the rest of the world.
Today, 60 per cent of the world’s population lives in water-stressed areas, where the demand for this precious resource far exceeds supply. That number is likely to rise: Living with climate change means that we can expect to see more abnormal rainfall patterns, which in turn, could mean longer periods of drought and extreme flooding.
The world now realises the gravity of climate deviance — the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted a unanimous resolution to launch the International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development — a 10-year action plan comprising programmes and initiatives that are geared to place a greater emphasis on the integrated management of water resources. Clean, accessible water is critical for sustainable development, and is indispensable for human health, well-being and prosperity.
This is especially relevant to the UAE, which is one of the most arid places in the world. To put things in perspective, earlier this month, New York City received about 11 inches of snowfall in just one day, whereas the annual precipitation in the UAE is around four inches.
Given this background, it comes as no surprise that His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has articulated that water is an even more important resource for the UAE than oil. It also explains why our country has been pursuing an ambitious agenda towards sustainable water security over the past decades.
However, overcoming the challenge of water security is not something the UAE is pursuing only for the sake of its people. As with several other areas where the country is leading global efforts, the UAE’s visionary leadership realises that policies and initiatives implemented at home can create products and knowledge that can be exported to the world and translate into a farreaching impact. Think about it: if one of the world’s most arid countries can achieve sustainable water security, it surely augurs well for the rest of the world.
And, we already have a wealth of lessons to share. The UAE was one of the first countries to institute mandatory green building codes that have cut energy and water consumption by more than 33 per cent in new buildings. We have made similar interventions in agriculture and landscaping, as well as in treating wastewater and redirecting it for cooling, irrigation and industry. This approach has saved our government and companies hundreds of millions of dirhams.
Developing a smart system
Masdar City is an outstanding example of an innovative and sustainable urban-development project that places water efficiency at its core. Buildings in the City are designed to consume 54 per cent less water than average buildings do in the UAE. In addition, 75 per cent of the hot water requirement is provided through thermal receptors fixed on rooftops. The use of water for irrigation, likewise, has been reduced by 60 per cent through leveraging an efficient sprinkler system and innovative landscaping methods.
Moreover, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is a major contributor to the UAE’s strategy towards water security. It’s many initiatives in this area include the Conservation Award, which raised awareness on the importance of water rationing among educational institutions’ staff and students, leading to a cutdown of their water use by 1.4 billion gallons in 11 years. Another major initiative by Dewa is developing a smart system to remotely monitor the water distribution network and detect any defects and leaks.
Furthermore, the UAE is also investing in new solutions: The National Innovation Strategy directs research and development into a detailed plan for the sector and aims to achieve tangible international benefits.
For instance, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science is an internationally-recognised initiative that offers an annual grant of $5 million (Dh18.39 million) for innovation in the field of rain enhancement.
Among the major areas in which the UAE has registered significant success is the country’s effort in raising awareness of water consumption trends and the use of water in agriculture through consumer education. A clear example is the phasing-out of Rhodes grass, which is a highly water-intensive feed crop estimated to account for around 60 per cent of agricultural water use and more than 30 per cent of the total water consumption in the UAE. Many research and development projects are currently underway to increase agricultural productivity while reducing water consumption. These include the introduction of greenhouses, sub-surface irrigation and hydroponics. It is estimated that such techniques use 90 per cent less water for the same quantity of crops produced.
The UAE is excited to join the global community in participating proactively in the International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development. We look forward to leading the march here, as we do in so many other areas, through formulating cuttingedge policies and technological solutions that help solve local and global challenges.
Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Special to Gulf News