Report highlights EAD’S progress on green initiatives

ABU DHABI: The environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued its 2023 annual report - a comprehensive review of its work in protecting the environment and enhancing the emirate’s air, groundwater, marine water, and soil quality, as well as its ongoing efforts to protect desert and marine ecosystem biodiversity.

The report also covers the Agency’s progress on the path to net zero, helping Abu Dhabi achieve a sustainable future, and how its wide range of achievements were supported by partnerships with government agencies, private sector institutions, non-governmental and global environmental organisations.

In the report foreword, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAD, said, “EAD plays a pivotal role in supporting the emirate’s sustainable development goals via the implementation of ambitious projects and initiatives to preserve Abu Dhabi’s environment and biodiversity, while enhancing its environmental leadership on a local, regional and global level.

This reflects the Abu Dhabi government’s vision and aspirations for the next fity years, which is to become the world’s most effective climate action and environmental body by 2071.”

He added, “During 2023, the Year of Sustainability, EAD doubled its environmental preservation efforts to keep pace with the rapid developments taking place in the emirate, the country, and the region. The Agency continued to conserve Abu Dhabi’s precious natural resources - from protecting freshwater and terrestrial and marine biodiversity, to seting air quality standards and providing a clean environment, helping to preserve it for future generations.”

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed also stated, “Climate actions were intensified during 2023, with the agency reaffirming its commitment to Abu Dhabi’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UAE’S goal of achieving climate neutrality by the year 2050. To this end, the Agency launched and implemented the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy to accelerate climate action and enhance the emirate’s ability to confront climate change. The strategy also enhances Abu Dhabi’s resilience and its readiness to embrace and adopt cuting edge innovation, helping to atract investment and improve the quality of life for all residents of the emirate.”

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed further stated, “The Agency’ s participation inc op 28, which was hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai, allowed us to highlight a wide range of innovations that we have pioneered to monitor and protect Abu Dhabi’s environment, and announce our participation in key initiatives to conserve and protect seagrass and mangroves in cooperation with local and international entities.”