Abu Dhabi Environment Agency Achieves Gold Award For Environmental Policy At 2025 Green World Awards

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has been honoured with the Gold Award in Environmental Policy at the 2025 Green World Awards in Auckland, New Zealand. This accolade acknowledges EAD's Abu Dhabi Environmental Policies and Regulations Framework, which has become a standard for sustainable environmental governance and innovation. The Green Organisation, a UK-based independent body, organises these awards to celebrate exemplary environmental management practices worldwide.

Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of Integrated Environment Policy and Planning at EAD, stated: "This global recognition is a reflection of the rigorous, data-driven approach we apply across every environmental policy we develop. From reducing carbon emissions to safeguarding groundwater and marine ecosystems, our framework is built on science, aligned with international standards, and designed for real-world impact. We are proud to see Abu Dhabi’s environmental policies serve as a model for effective, adaptive governance in a rapidly changing world."

EAD's comprehensive environmental framework covers critical areas such as climate change, biodiversity, marine water quality, groundwater, air quality, and plastic pollution. A key component is the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy (2023–2027), aiming for a 22% reduction in carbon emissions by 2027. By late 2024, driven by the energy sector's efforts, Abu Dhabi achieved a reduction of 26 million tonnes in CO₂ equivalent emissions.

Groundwater management has also seen significant improvements. The groundwater quality index rose to 79% in 2023. Additionally, annual abstraction rates decreased by 3%, indicating progress towards sustainable water use. EAD developed the first Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system in the GCC region aligned with the Paris Agreement.

EAD has implemented various regulations to conserve biodiversity. These include the Grazing Law, Hunting Law, Sustainable Aquaculture Policy, and Recreational Fishing Regulation. The Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network now encompasses 20 protected areas covering 17% of Abu Dhabi's land. In 2024 alone, nature reserves attracted 276,258 visitors.

Fish stock recovery levels exceeded expectations by reaching over 97.4% by the end of 2024—34% above global benchmarks. EAD's marine restoration work was recognised as one of the UN’s top ten World Restoration Flagships. Furthermore, EAD launched the region’s first Plant Genetic Resources Centre and will host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025.

Marine Environment Protection Initiatives

To protect marine environments, EAD introduced regulations to enhance water quality. In 2020, executive regulations were issued setting standards for ambient marine waters and sediments. In 2022, policies promoting treated effluent reuse were launched alongside public awareness campaigns to sustain fish stocks.

The results have been promising; sediment quality standards developed by EAD were adopted nationally across the UAE. The Microbial Water Quality Index scored a perfect 100 in both 2023 and 2024. The Marine Sediment Heavy Metal Index improved from 84 in 2023 to 98 in 2024.

Air Quality and Plastic Reduction Achievements

EAD introduced an Air Quality Regulation in 2024 aimed at reducing pollutants from mobile and stationary sources to protect health. The Single-Use Plastic Policy initiated in 2020 led to a dramatic decrease of single-use plastic bag consumption by 95% since its enforcement began in 2022.

An innovative bottle return scheme launched in 2023 resulted in collecting over 2,000 tonnes of plastic bottles. EAD also advances Abu Dhabi’s green agenda through its Environmental Centennial initiative—a visionary framework granted Intellectual Property Rights by the UAE Ministry of Economy.

These accomplishments highlight EAD’s integrated approach to environmental policy grounded on evidence-based strategies focused on future resilience. Winning the Green World Gold Award confirms EAD’s role as not only a regulator but also a global thought leader shaping environmental narratives for years ahead.

With inputs from WAM