Dubai Sets Up Environment And Climate Change Authority To Spearhead Sustainability

In a significant move towards bolstering sustainable practices and combating climate change, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has issued directives for the establishment of the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority. This initiative is set to lay a robust foundation for the green economy in Dubai, aiming to preserve biodiversity, expand natural reserves, and enhance green spaces across the emirate.

The directive also includes the appointment of Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani as the Director-General of this newly formed entity. This step underscores Dubai's commitment to positioning itself as a leader in environmental resilience and sustainable urban development on a global scale.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, highlighted the emirate's ambition to become one of the world's most environmentally resilient cities. He emphasized that this new authority aligns with the UAE’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Dubai aims to integrate economic, social, and environmental sustainability into its growth strategies, aspiring to set a global benchmark for how sustainable practices can drive prosperity while contributing to the fight against climate change. The establishment of this authority is a step towards enhancing Dubai’s preparedness for future challenges by ensuring high standards of sustainable development and biodiversity preservation.

The authority is tasked with implementing strategic programmes to bolster sustainability, conserve biodiversity, accelerate green economy development, and reduce carbon footprint. It will also support decision-makers in creating policies and planning processes that ensure biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and enhanced food security.

Among its objectives, the authority aims to expand Dubai's green cover by 100 percent and increase protected areas by 60 percent by 2040. It will focus on conserving water resources, adopting sustainable waste management policies, addressing climate change, ensuring food security, and introducing eco-friendly plans for infrastructure and services.

The authority's focus extends to achieving Dubai's strategic environmental objectives, including a 100 percent shift to clean energy by 2050 and a 90 percent enhancement in air quality according to WHO guidelines by 2033. It will also promote green finance initiatives and incentivise the financial sector to support green projects in collaboration with key financial and economic organisations.

This initiative is aligned with the objectives of Dubai's Economic Agenda D33, aiming to raise the contribution of the circular and green economy to the emirate's GDP. Through these efforts, Dubai sets an ambitious goal of becoming one of the world’s top-10 ranked cities in leading environmental and resource sustainability indices by 2033.

With inputs from WAM