Abu Dhabi targets reducing 26m tonnes of CO2 by year-end

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced significant progress in implementing the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy 2023–2027.

The strategy aims to enhance the emirate’s resilience to climate change risks, support efforts to achieve climate neutrality goals and the outcomes of the UAE Consensus, continue the UAE’s global leadership in sustainability, and ensure sustainable economic growth.

The joint announcement came on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22 November 2024, which represents a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to address the climate crisis.

Climate leadership

The forum brings together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to find tangible solutions to climate change, as global temperatures rise to record levels and extreme weather events impact people around the world.

The strategy focuses on achieving climate leadership by improving the ability to adapt to expected impacts while still attracting investment, reducing emissions from key sectors in an ongoing drive towards a low-carbon economy, and enhancing innovation.

The first of its kind in the region, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy is based on mitigation by reducing the emirate’s emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change by protecting the most vulnerable sectors from its repercussions. The target emissions reduction is the equivalent to 500 million trees storing carbon dioxide over 10 years. The strategy constitutes Abu Dhabi's plan to reach Net Zero by 2050 and is being implemented over a period of five years through 77 strategic projects implemented by 14 governmental and non-governmental entities.

Two pillars

The strategy is based on two main pillars: the first is adaptation to climate change, which will be achieved by enhancing the resilience of the four main sectors (energy, health, infrastructure, and environment) in adapting to the expected risks of climate change. The second focuses on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by reducing them in key sectors and expanding the scope of innovative carbon capture and storage technologies.

A follow-up committee is responsible for the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy. Led by the DOE, it also includes members from EAD, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Department of Economic Development (DED), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).

The committee is responsible for: tracking implementation of the projects included in the strategy, proposing and implementing new projects, and aligning them with the initiatives of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy, the Plan Capital and Al Dhafra 2040 plans, as well as other long-term plans and strategies. It also coordinates with strategic partners to define action plans regarding future challenges and opportunities, and supervises the mechanism for implementing joint initiatives, including the feasibility of reducing emissions, the trading system, and any related initiatives.

According to the report issued by the committee, which has monitored the achievements made in the first year of the strategy’s launch since July 2023, about 26 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent will have been reduced by the end of 2024. This is a significant achievement towards achieving the strategy’s ultimate goal of reducing by 22 per cent the emirate’s emissions by 2027, compared to the base year 2016.

Fifth inventory complete

During this year, several projects were completed, including, for example, the completion of the nuclear power generation project, which in turn reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the emirate by 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is in addition to the Al Dhafra Solar Power Project, which contributed to reducing emissions by 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and developing the regulatory mechanism for implementing the circular economy in the industrial sector. Similarly, developing a decision to report environmental data will contribute to developing the Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) programme in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

The change in greenhouse gas emissions is monitored through the inventory conducted by EAD to determine the quantities and locations of these emissions using the best approved inventory programmes, as the fifth inventory of emissions for Abu Dhabi has been completed.

The implementation progress of plans to adapt to the effects of climate change in the most vulnerable sectors such as energy, environment, infrastructure, and health, has currently reached about 30 per cent. These efforts are part of wider aims to develop comprehensive 100 per cent adaptation plans for all major sectors by 2027.

43 projects

The report monitored the progress of the strategy’s projects, 77 of which support four main axes, including adaptation, mitigation, economic diversification, and cross-cutting topics. The completion rate of all projects planned during the strategy period is currently at 26 per cent. This includes the completion of 20 major projects, including a feasibility study to reduce and trade carbon emissions, and the development of the Al Dhafra Solar Power Project.

There are 43 projects currently being implemented as part of the strategy. These include major initiatives such as a temperature warning system, a reduction in the oil and gas sector’s carbon footprint, green protection from natural storms, a green government to support the local green economy, a reconsideration of urban planning, and a move to a low-carbon smart transportation system. In addition, 14 projects are being prepared for implementation, including, for example, establishing shelters to confront natural disasters, fortifying existing infrastructure, and developing carbon emission reduction technologies.

Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, affirmed, “Participating in COP29 is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and set new standards for climate action. Abu Dhabi remains committed to leading collaboration with strategic partners and stakeholders to accelerate the transformation of the energy sector toward a sustainable future and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, further strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for sustainability and clean, renewable energy.”

He further highlighted, “Abu Dhabi has strengthened its position as a leader in combating climate change by providing a range of innovative solutions and implementing several strategic projects, such as the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which reduces carbon emissions by 22 million metric tonnes annually — the equivalent of removing 4.8 million vehicles from the roads — and the Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Plant, which cuts carbon dioxide emissions by one million metric tonnes annually, equivalent to taking 200,000 vehicles off the roads. Additionally, the Al Dhafra PV Solar Power Plant reduces Abu Dhabi’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 2.4 million metric tonnes annually, comparable to removing 470,000 vehicles from the roads.”

He also highlighted that the list of projects includes the Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant, which is the world’s largest reverse osmosis plant, and produces 200 million gallons of clean water per day, sufficient to meet the water needs of over 350,000 homes. Abu Dhabi continues to pursue ambitious plans to launch new projects that support the effective and rapid transformation of the energy sector, contributing to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.”

He added, “We look forward to fostering productive cooperation and building strong partnerships with all stakeholders to strengthen our joint efforts in driving positive climate action. We will continue to develop our strategies, policies, and regulatory frameworks to enhance our clean energy production capacity. Additionally, we will strive to boost our initiatives for energy efficiency to ensure effective responses to climate change challenges and achieve our sustainable development goals.”

COP29 a unique platform

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “COP29 comes at a critical moment when we must come together for a sustainable future. This global event represents a unique platform to promote collective action in the face of climate change and to reaffirm our commitment to sustainable and ambitious solutions. Through international cooperation and knowledge sharing, we can lay a strong foundation to improve quality of life and protect our environment for future generations.

“By working with our strategic partners, we seek to achieve the goals of our ambitious strategy and accelerate climate action to enhance Abu Dhabi’s ability to resist this phenomenon, achieve climate neutrality goals, and make the emirate more flexible, prepared, and forward-looking. This will give us an advantage in attracting investment and improving the quality and standard of life for all residents.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri also pointed out: “The main adaptation target in the strategy aims for 100 per cent protection for the sectors most vulnerable to the repercussions of climate change. Our efforts are combined with all relevant parties through the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Task Force to achieve the objectives of this strategy, which will play an effective role in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s ability to adapt to climate change, and protecting all of our sectors affected by the repercussions of climate change.

“Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is a major endeavour in all countries of the world, and Abu Dhabi can play a leading role in this transformation. By implementing the strategy’s targets, we will reduce the emirate’s total emissions by 22 per cent compared to the 2016 baseline. For example, via our partnership with the Department of Energy, we will lead a major shift in diversifying energy sources to significantly reduce carbon emissions in this vital sector by setting new regulations that target generating 60 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s electricity from clean and renewable sources by 2035. The Agency also supports Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s plan to accelerate emissions reduction efforts to help achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2045 instead of the previously announced 2050, as well as zero methane emissions by 2030.”

The committee pledged to continue cooperation with all relevant parties to enhance the climate resilience of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and to achieve its multi-level ambitions for effective climate action in line with the UAE’s strategic initiative of climate neutrality by 2050, and to support global efforts to achieve climate goals and ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.

WAM