1. Final Project
Climate Change and the UAE
Bayan AbuShaban
From Palestine
working in the United Arab Emirates
February 2014

2. World Population (billion):
Past, Present, and Future
Source: worldometers (http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/)

3. World Ecological Footprint:
Past, Present, and Future
Source: http://www.footprintnetwork.org

4. Global CO2
Concentration
Source: data/image provided by
NOAA ESRI Global Monitoring
Division, Boulder, Colorado, USA
Global
Temperature

5. Climate change
threatens cities
and regions

6. Urban Mobility Challenges
According to the
World Bank
60% of all people
will live in cities by
2030.

7. Almost 180,000
people move into
cities daily
60 million people
move into cities
each year in
developing
countries.

8. Climate Change Challenges in the
Arab World
• Climate change is happening now in the Arab
countries.
• The Arab people and policy makers already
experience the effects of a changing climate;
higher temperatures and extreme events such
as drought and flash floods have become the
new norm.
• The year 2010 was the warmest since the late
1800s
Source: World Bank 2012, Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries

9. Climate Change Challenges in the
Arab World
• Water scarcity will increasingly be a challenge in the Arab countries.
• Climate change will likely reduce agriculture production in Arab
countries.
• Urban populations are rapidly growing.
• Urban areas are vulnerable to climate change.
• Climate change threatens the tourism sector, an important source of
revenue and jobs.
• Climate change threatens progress to achieve gender equity in the
Arab region.
• Women are active agents of adaptation.
• The impacts of climate change on human health are varied and often
indirect.
Source: World Bank 2012, Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries

10. United Arab Emirates

11. United Arab Emirates CO2 emissions
per capita
A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric gas which absorbs solar radiation and traps it within
the Earth’s atmosphere, causing climate change.
Sources include: World Bank

12. UAE Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
has the world’s sixth largest
proven oil reserves and the fifth
largest natural gas
reserves, making the country a
critical partner and responsible
supplier in global energy markets.
Source: http://www.uae-embassy.org/uae/energy

13. UAE Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change
The UAE pursues groundbreaking
renewable energy and energy efficiency
programs.
In 26 Jan 2005 the UAE ratified the Kyoto
Protocol to the UN Convention on Climate
Change, becoming one of the first major
oil-producing countries to do so.
Abu Dhabi has also established one of the
world’s most comprehensive clean energy
initiatives.
Sources: the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (https://unfccc.int)

14. The UAE, Climate Change And The
Challenge Faced
During the Conference of Parties (COP) 19 meeting on
climate change, The UAE committed to addressing
climate change from an economic, social and
environmental point of view.
It includes implementing commercial clean energy
projects, making investments into clean technologies,
and also expanding development assistance by making
clean energy accessible to all.

15. UAE Green Vision
• UAE vision 2021 to have sustainable environment.
• Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 (DIES) was
deployed in 2011 to set the strategic direction of
Dubai towards securing sustainable supply of
energy and enhancing demand efficiency of
water, power and fuel.

16. Adaptation Pyramid: A framework for
action on climate change
Source: World Bank 2012, Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries

17. Leadership role
• The UAE has established a government body
to deal with climate change and global
warming issues at the UAE level.
• H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid has been
a good example of a leader who gives high
importance to clean technology and green
economy and energy

18. “We recognize that preserving our
energy resources will be one of the
greatest challenges in our drive
towards sustainable development.
This, however, will not materialize
unless the different facets of our
society adopt energy conservation
principles in their core values.
The future generations will be the
chief beneficiary of our
achievements and the best judge of
what we accomplish in this field.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President and Prime Minister
of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

19. "Green Economy for Sustainable Development”
The new strategy aims to establish the UAE as a world leader
in green economy and a center for export and re-export of
products and green technologies. It also aims to maintain a
sustainable environment to support long-term economic
growth.
The initiative includes a wide range of programmes and
policies in the areas of energy, agriculture, investment and
sustainable transport in addition to environmental and
constructional policies to raise the quality of life in the UAE.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
Source: http://www.sheikhmohammed.co.ae/

20. United Arab Emirates CO2 emissions
per capita
• The UAEs has amongst the highest
Ecological Footprints per capita in the
world. 76% of the UAE's Ecological
Footprint is due to carbon dioxide
emissions, resulting largely from
consumption of energy and desalinated
water.
Source: http://business.heroesoftheuae.ae/en/section/the-problem

21. United Arab Emirates CO2 emissions
per capita
• Carbon dioxide (CO2), which accounts for 78.6
per cent of all emissions, tops the list of
greenhouse gases emitted by the
emirate, whereas the energy sector is the
highest source with 72.6 per cent of direct
emissions, according to the Environment
Agency — Abu Dhabi’s results of its inaugural
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Project for
2010.
Source: http://business.heroesoftheuae.ae/en/section/the-problem

22. CO2 Emissions by Sector, United Arab
Emirates, 1999
Source: Earth Trend Country Profiles

23. Per Capita CO2 Emissions: 1950, 1975
and 1998
Source: Earth Trend Country Profiles

24. UAE Ecological Footprint
Short film
Source: UAE Ecological Footprint Animation- English

25. What are the projected impacts on key
sectors, such as agriculture, water
resources, ecosystems and human health
• Higher sea levels: Higher temperatures on the earth cause sea water to expand
with heat and glaciers to melt, raising the sea level year after year. Some low lying
countries and many small island states are very much at risk from these higher sea
levels.
• Water resources and natural disasters: Global warming changes the balance of
water supply and demand and could expand the worldwide gap in water
availability. Some places will be frequently flooded while others will suffer from
constant drought and water shortage. In areas that already have a water shortage
problem, the situation will worsen; many other areas will face similar problems.
• Agriculture: Global warming will seriously affect agriculture as well. Higher
temperatures, increased weeds and harmful insects will adversely affect some
species of agricultural crops. It is also possible that global warming will lead to
global food shortages.

26. Coastal Areas in the UAE
• Climate change could affect Dubai
coast radically
• Reinforcement measures around
Dubai's coastline should be taken to
avoid any damage from rising sea
levels caused by climate change.
• Regionally, Kuwait and the Nile Delta would be severely affected by
sea levels rising by just one metre, said Raymond S. Bradley, director
of the Climate System Research Centre and distinguished professor
at the University of Massachusetts.
Source: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/climate-change-could-affect-dubai-coast-radically-1.138677

27. What are the projected impacts on key
sectors, such as agriculture, water
resources, ecosystems and human health
•
Human health: Climatic change affects human health in many different ways. As well as
direct impact from heat, warming increases the range of some disease carrying insects.
More erratic precipitation will also make waterborne diseases more dangerous.
•
Animals and plants: Global warming will cause animals and plants to shift their habitats to
northern and mountainous areas. It is anticipated, however, that some will become extinct if
they cannot migrate due to topographical obstacles. It is predicted, for example, that alpine
flora growing near mountain summits will become extinct, and that many beech forests will
disappear and be replaced by oak forests, which are widely distributed in warm regions. As a
result, not only wild animals that live in or feed on these trees, but also fruit cultivation and
forestry will be seriously affected.
•
Cities: While winter heating energy consumption will be reduced due to global warming, it
will also increase the need for summertime air conditioning. In urban areas water use and
energy consumption for cooling will also largely increase. In low lying coastal cities
infrastructure will also have to be adapted to rising sea levels.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

28. Heat and work in Dubai
• Heat temperature made the government in the
UAE restricts work at noon time.
• Dr. Noble mentioned in the last Google hangout
that outdoor work in construction industry in
the Emirate of Dubai will not be able to tolerate
the heat due to extreme
• By 2030 – 2040 it is expected to be so hot even
at night.

29. The UAE and Climate Change
Climate change has risen rapidly in recent years as one of the most important
challenges faced by the global community. The impacts of climate change are
already felt around the world. The UAE is a low lying coastal country with an arid
climate and which already faces high temperatures. At the same time, the UAE
plays a central role in the world’s energy economy as a supplier of fossil fuels,
which gives them an important stake in finding solutions to cutting emissions
while still providing the world with the energy it needs. With investment in
renewable energy and the role as the host of the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE is at the heart of the clean energy revolution.
The UAE is engaged in the fight against climate change both because it
recognizes the risks of not acting and because they are responsible global
citizens committed to multilateral action. But are also convinced that in rising to
this challenge there is a real opportunity. New clean energy technologies will
play a major role in economic growth in the next few decades. Together they can
build new industries, create knowledge-intensive jobs and create opportunities
for the UAE young people, all in the service of the global good.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

30. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
• Peaceful Nuclear Power: The UAE views peaceful nuclear
energy as a significant contributor to meet increasing
future electricity demand and as part of its strategy for
the overall reduction in carbon emissions. With its nearly
zero carbon footprint and high availability factor, it
complements the UAE’s other renewable and low carbon
energy sources, such as solar and clean fossil fuel power
plants. A sizeable nuclear energy sector is being
developed in the UAE which consists of four nuclear
power reactors and the associated infrastructure, the first
of which is scheduled for commercial operation in 2017.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

31. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation: From new standards
for appliances such as air conditioning, to the cutting
edge technologies being demonstrated in Masdar
City, the UAE is putting efficiency at the heart of its
domestic energy strategy.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

32. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
• Renewable Energy: The UAE lacks many of the most
widespread renewable energy resources, with no
potential for hydroelectric power or tidal power and
relatively little biomass. However, it is blessed with
sunshine. Abu Dhabi has set a renewable energy target
which it expects to meet largely through solar power, and
2010 has seen work begin on one of the world’s largest
concentrating solar power plants. The UAE is also
developing geothermal cooling at Masdar City.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

33. Shams 1 — the 100MW solar plant in
Abu Dhabi

34. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum Solar Park - 13MW solar plant (Dubai)

35. Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
Source: http://www.masdar.ae/en/masdar/detail/dr-sultan-ahmed-al-jaber2

36. Masdar City in Abu Dhabi
• The city relies entirely on solar
energy and other renewable energy
sources, while conforming to a zero
waste ecology policy. It initially
aimed to be a sustainable zerocarbon car-free city.
• Masdar City hosts the headquarters
of IRENA

37. Energy Efficiency Example - Slab Tariff
Source: Dubai Electricity and Water
Authority

38. Dubai Sustainable City
Source: http://www.diamond-developers.ae/thesustainablecity/

39. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
• Transport: Transportation is one of the fastestgrowing sources of emissions worldwide.
• They are investing in new mass transit systems
such as Dubai’s light rail system and a proposed
high speed train.
• In addition to walking and cycling projects
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

40. Sustainable Transportation initiatives
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Public Transport Day 1 November
Car Free Day
Dubai Sustainable Transport Award
Public Bikes
Etihad Rail (started with freight)
Dubai Metro
Dubai Tram (to be open in November 2014)
Abu Dhabi Metro (planning phase)

41. Public Bikes - Dubai

42. Etihad Rail Network

43. Dubai Metro

44. Dubai Tram

45. Jumeirah Monorail

46. Installing rooftop solar panels could be
cost effective in Dubai
• UAE homes and businesses to harness own
solar power
• Eco-friendly residents and businesses will
soon be able to help the emirate go green – by
installing rooftop solar panels.
Source: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uae-homes-andbusinesses-to-harness-own-solar-power

47. Dubai Carbon Center of Excellence
• Dubai has established a new entity that
works with the government on Clean
Development Mechanism.
Source: http://www.dcce.ae

48. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
• Building Design: New energy efficiency standards for
buildings are being set at a national level for the UAE. In
addition, the Urban Planning Council has developed the
new Estidama label for sustainable buildings, the first
standard adapted for this region and climate.
• Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water
Authority developed a new mandatory guideline for
Green Building Requirements.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

49. The UAE and Actions on Climate Change
Carbon Capture and Storage (clean fossil fuels): Carbon
capture and storage (CCS) is a means of mitigating climate
change by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from large point
sources such as power plants and storing it safely
underground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The
potential impact of CCS is huge. The Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change says CCS could contribute between 10%
and 55% of the cumulative worldwide carbon mitigation
effort over the next 90 years. Technology for capturing of CO2
is already commercially available for large CO2 emitters, such
as power plants. Storage of CO2, on the other hand is a
relatively untried concept. The UAE is developing a major CCS
project.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

50. Hosting the International Renewable Energy
Agency (IRENA)
• IRENA aims to become the main driving force in promoting a
transition towards the use of renewable energy on a global scale:
• Acting as the global voice for renewable energies, IRENA will
provide practical advice and support for both industrialised and
developing countries, help them improve their regulatory
frameworks and build capacity. The agency will facilitate access to
all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of
renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms
and state-of-the-art technological expertise.
• IRENA provides advice and support to governments on renewable
energy policy, capacity building, and technology transfer. IRENA will
also co-ordinate with existing renewable energy organizations.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Renewable_Energy_Agency

51. Hosting an international Meeting “Abu
Dhabi Ascent”
UAE will host a high-level climate change
meeting in May 4-5 this year ahead of UN
summit, it will be called The “Abu Dhabi
Ascent”
Source: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uae-to-host-high-level-climatechange-meeting-ahead-of-un-summit

52. Challenges facing the UAE to reduce its
emissions
The following are the main challenges that the UAE
should work on:
• The UAE is an automobile dependent country
• High demand for air conditioning during summer
time (over 8 months during the year)
• High provision of roads that encourage car usage
• Low provision of public transport
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - UAE

53. Conclusion
• The UAE has been working hard to help
the international community to tackle
global warming but still need to do
something to solve the challenges that are
facing the country such as those
mentioned in the previous slide.
• The UAE has the capacity to encourage its
neighboring countries to reduce
greenhouse gases