Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 Impacts and Potential Risks

Introduction 

Abu Dhabi vision 2030 on the environment was developed to ensure there is sustainability in the environment, economy, and social vision. The aim of the vision is to enhance the natural heritage and efficient use of resources in Abu Dhabi contributing to a better quality for all. The vision developed in Abu Dhabi covers five priorities which include climate change, clean air and noise pollution, water resources, biodiversity, habitats and cultural heritage, and management of waste. On climate change, the vision aims at minimizing the impacts which lead to climate change. Clean air and reduced noise pollution will ensure that there is safe and healthy living condition for all and efficient management and conservation of water bodies. The vision also ensures that the biodiversity, habitats and cultural heritage are conserved for current and future generations. Lastly, the vision ensures there is an optimized flow of materials and management of waste materials. 

Abu Dhabi way of Addressing Climate Change 

Climate change is one of the biggest concern and challenge today. Abu Dhabi contributes to changes in the climate because there are lots of gases emitted in the greenhouses. Change in climate will affect emirate of Abu Dhabi in several ways which include an increase in the sea level, temperature increase and change in the prevailing weather conditions. Change in climate will not only affect Abu Dhabi, but also the countries Abu Dhabi trade with. There have been negotiations among differences on the Paris Climate Agreement. China and America have been ratified as the biggest emitters to the environment. The agreement aim is to develop strategies which will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to reduce global warming. The strategies adopted will ensure the effects of climate disruptions have been reduced. 

To achieve the agreement, countries have to report their progress to the United Nation. Countries must first understand their source of emission in order to achieve the emission-reduction program. The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi is conducting the assessment of greenhouses emission. Major emitting sectors and government entities are also supporting the emirate in reducing the number of emissions. The partnership between Abu Dhabi and the major emitting sectors produces emission inventory which is then provided to the Ministry of Environment and Climate as reporting progress to United Nation. 

The number of emissions from Abu Dhabi has been increasing over the years. For example in 2012, the total direct emissions of carbon dioxide ware 115 million tons compared to 2010 emissions which amounted to 99 million tons. Increase in emissions is related to population and economic growth. The energy sector which comprises the production of water and electricity and oil and gas manufacturing and production has been ranked first in the emission list ( Mezher, Goldsmith & Choucri, 2011). Abu Dhabi has the highest amount of emission compared to other countries globally. However, the total contribution of the emissions is overall small. There have been improvements in resources efficiency and lowering the emissions so that Abu Dhabi can retain its good reputation as an economic champion. Other benefits will be achieved such as improvement in the air quality. 

Reforms and policy levers which address the way water and electricity are generated and consumed has been focused on. Innovations have been encouraged to increase the efficiency of oil and gas production and management of transport and city expansion. The vision 2030 of Abu Dhabi is to have reduced the total emissions by 40%. There have numerous reforms to subside the consumption of water and electricity through a partnership with Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Masdar and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company. The company that produces oil and gas has been renewed to commit its efficiency in achieving zero emissions. Masdar and Emirates steel are working with Adnoc to implement their strategy of capturing carbon dioxide. On transport sector, low-emission vehicles are being made to make cities more comfortable. Therefore it is correct to say there are greater coordination and collaboration in contributors of emission 

The figure below shows the Environmental vision 2030 

Methodology for Achieving Vision 2030 Climate Change 

Abu Dhabi has established a national accounting and environmental management inventories. Methodologies have been set in areas where air pollution is high such as identification, estimation, quantification, reporting, and verification of the emission data. The inventories help to capture and manage data domestically. Additionally, they have been very useful in supporting the implementation of energy and environmental policies and in building a local capacity. On the international point of view, they help Abu Dhabi fulfill its obligations in agreements to control emissions and protect the environment. 

Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) 

This is an intergovernmental organization that was founded to support and promote economic growth a model which was referred as green growth. The organization targets the key economic aspects such as job creation, poverty reduction, social inclusion and sustaining the environment. GGGI is a global organization which works with all the countries of the world to enhance green growth so that its policies can have impact on many individuals ( Low, 2012). The United Arab Emirates is one of the founding members. The organization helps in building economies so that they can become efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon-intensive and more resilient to climate changes. 

The organization supports its stakeholders through complementary and integral work streams which assist in delivering comprehensive products which in turn assist in the financing , developing, and mainstreaming green growth in national development plans of economic nature. It is dedicated to support the creation and diffusion of new models which lead to economic growth such as reducing poverty, the creation of jobs and social developments which are environmental based. The organization works basing its activities on three strategies. First, to strengthen national, subnational and local green growth plans, financial and institutional frameworks. Secondly, it aims to ensure increased green investment flows and lastly to improve the multi-national flow of knowledge and sharing. Abu Dhabi works hand in hand with the organization since 2011. It supports the development of National Green Growth Strategy and the National Climate Change Plan. The two strategies are related because they help diversify the economy as well as maintaining a climate resilient environment. 

Abu Dhabi National Inventories 

In order to achieve national goals and strategies pertaining green economy, energy, and climate change, Abu Dhabi has a dynamic way of capturing data and reporting system. Projects to support the strategy such as National Blue Carbon project have also been successfully rolled in to ensure a continuous flow of data. Data management and reporting help in developing strategies and preparatory steps which are crucial in the implementation phase. The most important areas where the inventories are required include National Green Growth strategy and monitoring, reporting and verification systems. 

The figure below shows the population as the share of the overall UEA 

Global Green Growth I nstitute Implementation 

The institute serves as Abu Dhabi’s blueprint in diversifying its economy. It also aims at maintaining strong economic growth while preserving Abu Dhabi’s natural resources and health of the environment. However, there are no inventories currently on air pollution, waste disposal and underground water which measure implementation strategies. Efforts are very high to prevent the risk of delayed implementation. 

National Climate Plan 

In September 2016, Abu Dhabi ratified the Paris Agreement and has also completed its National Climate Change for 2017-2050 and launched its Federal Energy Strategy 2050. These policies reinforce Abu Dhabi’s effort to realize its objectives set forth for vision 2030, National Green Growth Strategy and its Sustainable Development G oals . Currently, Abu Dhabi has estimated its greenhouses emissions on a national scale. The databases are used by the national communications and United Nations in developing the national greenhouse emission inventories on an annual cycle. Two comprehensive inventories for the year 2010 and 2012 have been completed ( Soorae, 2010). In the air pollutants sector, Abu Dhabi and Dubai developed inventories based on a questionnaire with major industrial forces separately. Abu Dhabi inventory of air pollutants 2009, covers sulfur (IV) oxide, oxides of nitrogen carbon (II) oxide and PM!). Dubai’s inventory on air pollutants 2015, covers sulfur (IV) oxide, oxides of nitrogen, Carbon (II) oxide, carbon IV oxide, PM, and VOC. 

Currently, Abu Dhabi is duplicating its efforts as the processes of Abu Dhabi and national inventories are not integrated but independently performed. The increased opportunities for more monitoring, reporting and verification systems at the national level increase the benefits for United Arab Emirates mitigation policies and targets in NDC implementation context. The process of establishing a robust and operational monitoring, reporting and verification system which meets the standards under the Paris Agreement towards monitoring and tracking Abu Dhabi’s greenhouse emissions is undergoing. Consultants who are technical experts and advisors to GGGI puts their efforts in establishing data inventories and management systems for United Arab Emirates federal ministries. The chiefs of the team are the Ministry of Climate Change and Ministry of Energy. The consultant reports to GGGI and provides advice and input on the design, progress, and accomplishment of projects and reports the feedback on output qualities relying on the experiences he/she has had on similar projects and applying his/her knowledge to the Abu Dhabi context. 

Discussion 

Abu Dhabi and governmental bodies have had discussions on plans for climate change strategies which will help reduce the number of harmful emissions. Senior representatives of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, the Urban Council, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and ministries of environment, energy, and foreign affairs are among the participants. The discussions are to develop the strategies to be employed to achieve the solution of the problem. Actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change across all the relevant economic and social sectors must be catalyzed because environmental organizations cannot achieve the scale of change required on their own. The change required include using low-carbon energy and utilities, managing demand of energy and reducing the carbon footprints of transport system and industries. The idea of discussion is to know the idea that will be engaged so that agreed targets and initiatives can be achieved. 

The greenhouse inventory for Abu Dhabi shows that almost 50 tons of carbon are emitted. The carbon emitted has a direct contribution to global warming. The highest emitters of the greenhouse gases in Abu Dhabi are energy services, road transport, iron, steel and aluminum producing industries. However, there are plans for industrial expansion thus the total percentage of emission is expected to rise. The government, on the other hand, has hopes to reduce the emissions per capita by use of fossil fuels. The desire to reduce the number of greenhouse emissions cannot be a reason to t amper economic development. 

Results of Abu Dhabi Vision 

Climate change in Abu Dhabi is expected to result in global warming, less precipitation, increased droughts, high sea levels and more storms. Due to this, the country has engaged in activities which fight against climate change in respect to its target to maintain the sustainability and growth of the country. Plans have been set to generate part of electricity from clean energy sources by 2030 as stated in December during the United Nations Climate Change Conference ( Mezher, Tabbara & Al-Hosany, 2010). UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment has been recently formed to facilitate the creation of partnerships with the private sector, conduct studies and lead in scientific researchers in fields where the ministry is involved. Globally, Abu Dhabi and America have launched bilateral energy dialogue which facilitates new and ongoing initiatives to secure their global energy market. The first energy dialogue was held in 2014. 

Conclusion 

Abu Dhabi has to maintain and step up its momentum and ensure greater coordination and collaboration between the contributing sectors. For effective implementation, there requires a greater focus on monitoring the emissions. EAD is committed to working with Abu Dhabi in tracking the emissions and making them publicly available. The government also need further engagement and coordination between communities and private sector to optimize its response to climate change. Abu Dhabi has been commended for ratifying the Paris Agreement on September 2015. The government of Abu Dhabi has been described as ambitious in its aim of creating a confident, secure society and building a sustainable, open and globally competitive economy. The inventories show another contribution intended to garner actions towards achieving the greatest vision for the future of Abu Dhabi. 

References 

Low, L. (2012).  Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030: An Ongoing Journey of Economic Development . World Scientific. 

Mezher, T., Goldsmith, D., & Choucri, N. (2011). Renewable energy in Abu Dhabi: Opportunities and challenges.  Journal of Energy Engineering ,  137 (4), 169-176. 

Mezher, T., Tabbara, S., & Al-Hosany, N. (2010). An overview of CSR in the renewable energy sector: Examples from the Masdar Initiative in Abu Dhabi.  Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal ,  21 (6), 744-760. 

Soorae, P. S. (Ed.). (2010).  Global re-introduction perspectives: Additional case studies from around the globe . IUCN.