Abu Dhabi agency receives 2nd Carbon Neutrality Certification

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has received its second Carbon Neutrality Certification from Applus+, a verification agency accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This achievement means EAD has become the first regulatory body in the UAE to receive this certification twice, further solidifying its commitment to combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “Receiving the Carbon Neutrality Certificate for the second time underscores EAD’s deep commitment to building a sustainable future for Abu Dhabi. By offsetting our carbon emissions for the 2020–2022 period, we are not only setting a benchmark for government entities, but also inspiring our peers in government, and challenging the private sector to embed sustainable practices into their core operations. We believe this milestone will accelerate our collective journey towards net-zero emissions, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional leader in environmental stewardship.” Any greenhouse gas emissions generated by EAD were assessed by GE3S and verified by Applus+. The Agency’s comprehensive approach to achieving carbon neutrality includes identifying emission sources such as energy consumption in buildings, the use of chilled water, waste generation, fuel use in vehicles and generators, as well as the implementation of targeted emission reduction measures.

The Agency is focused on significantly reducing its energy consumption and environmental footprint through the adoption of eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices. As part of this commitment, EAD is transitioning its vehicle fleet to hybrid power, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, all existing lighting systems have been upgraded to energy-efficient LED technology and lighting sensors, and smart water have been installed to optimise resource use and minimise waste. Environmentally friendly air-conditioning systems have also been adopted across all EAD facilities.

In a major step forward, EAD is integrating solar panels into all new projects, harnessing renewable energy to power its operations. This is complemented by sustainable design principles aligned with LEED Zero Carbon standards – further contributing to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions.

This achievement serves as an inspirational milestone for broader climate efforts, encouraging other organisations to integrate targeted carbon management strategies into their operations. The Agency continues to lead the way toward net-zero emissions while maintaining its leadership in environmental stewardship.

Recently, the EAD has wrapped up its latest aerial survey, covering more than 8000 square kilometres of marine habitat.

These efforts reflect the agency’s dedication to safeguarding marine species and ecosystems, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as a regional leader in marine biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.

EAD is the only entity in the Middle East conducting long-term, systematic monitoring of marine species through regular surveys. Since 2004, it has been carrying out comprehensive aerial assessments – an initiative aligned with the emirate’s vision that strengthens its environmental database to support conservation strategies and ensure the sustainable management of marine resources.

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said, “The findings of this survey reflect our ongoing efforts and commitment to leveraging advanced technology to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s leadership in environmental conservation. More than a 20 percent increase in the dugong population and a rise of over 30 percent in sea turtle numbers and stands as clear evidence of the success of our science-based strategy. These achievements are a source of pride and motivation as we continue our mission to protect our natural heritage.”

The aerial survey was conducted by a dedicated team of six researchers, who covered a distance of 1,630km over a total of 26 hours to gather vital data.

WAM