Climate Change Strategy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 2023 - 2027.

The Climate Change Strategy is a sectoral document aiming to promote greater resilience in key sectors and make adaptation to climate change integral to government entities’ plans. Additionally, it outlines Abu Dhabi’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) significantly in line with the country’s announcement of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Likewise, the Strategy drives innovation in carbon capture and storage, and identifies actions aimed at economic diversification towards low-carbon sectors. On behalf of the Abu Dhabi government, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) supervises the development of the Strategy by consulting, coordinating, and cooperating with government entities, the private sector, and scientific research centres.
The scope of the Strategy includes 3 main themes (1) mitigation of climate change by reducing emissions in key sectors and resorting to carbon sequestration and storage; (2) adaptation to climate change by enhancing the resilience of the four key sectors (energy, health, infrastructure, and environment) in adapting to the expected risks of climate change; (3) economic diversification through innovative, lowcarbon solutions, identifying related opportunities. The Strategy outlines the GHG emission reduction targets by sector, with an overall goal of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 22% from 2016 levels by 2027. The reductions in individual sectors are as follows: 41% in electricity and water, 10% in transport, 20% in agriculture, and 41% in waste. While a reduction is expected in the oil and gas and transport sectors, the target has not yet been quantified. For the Strategy to be successfully executed, key factors are essential: entities' commitment and adherence to a clear governance framework, securing necessary financial and technical support, actively engaging the private sector, and establishing a platform for expertise and knowledge exchange.