what work is being done in UAE for sustainable development?
Answers
The importance of sustainability
With the rapid development and change in the UAE, sustainability is more important than ever. There is no one definition of sustainability but it is generally described as living within the means of our environment, without harming or depleting such environment for future generations. Sustainability is of importance to everyone – it can provide both major opportunities and risk in the short, medium and long term. Key sustainability drivers in the region, for both businesses and individuals, include energy efficiency, compliance with regulatory and corporate social responsibility policies relating to the environment, efficient waste management and disposal (including recycling), the sourcing and use of water, the food supply chain and air, water and ground emissions. The importance of these drivers on a large scale can be seen in the recent Arab Spring, which many analysts stated was partially driven by the scarcity of resources and their rising cost. On a smaller scale, such factors affect the everyday bottom line of businesses and the social and economic wellbeing of individuals.
Government strategy
The Government of the UAE, both at a federal and Emirate level, is the key driver of sustainability in the UAE. The UAE is intending to become “sustainable” from a social, environmental and economic perspective and these perspectives all overlap and impact the other. It is key for the UAE to ensure the sustainable use of its resources (such as water and agricultural land), to diversify its economy (such as moving away from reliance on oil) and protect the quality of life of its inhabitants. This has included making sustainable development one of the key goals of UAE Vision 2021, the introduction of new green building legislation and new sustainable policies. Going forward, it is expected that concepts of sustainability will be an important part of the Government’s strategies and its interactions with the private sector.
Environmental law
Federal Law 24 of 1999 sets out the current legal basis for environmental protection and conservation in the UAE. This law requires those carrying out development and other activities in the UAE to consider the environmental implications of their activities and makes it illegal to damage the environment. The key concept behind this law is “the polluter pays” meaning that the person who pollutes will be liable for clean-up costs and subject to any other penalties permitted by law (which range from fines, to jail and even the death penalty in relation to breach of nuclear obligations). To date, the enforcement of this law has not always been consistent or clear. However, it was recently announced that the UAE Government is working on new federal environmental legislation that will allow the Ministry of Environment and Water to take a more prominent role and directly impose penalties on polluters (rather than relying on the courts) and also help push through recycling and waste reforms in the country.
Estidama
Estidama (meaning “sustainability” in Arabic) is one of the first organic sustainability frameworks in the Middle East. Introduced by Abu Dhabi in 2009, Estidama seeks to ensure that all new development in Abu Dhabi is undertaken in a sustainable manner. This includes imposin
Answer:
Explanation:
The topic of sustainability has become increasingly important in the UAE in the last five years, from Dubai announcing its objective of being one of the most sustainable cities in the world, to sustainability being one of the core themes of the EXPO 2020 plans. Previously having made headlines as one of the least sustainable countries in the world (with one of the largest carbon footprints in the world and its inhabitants using almost double the energy as many European nations), the UAE is now looking toward to a more sustainable future. The push towards sustainability will impact both companies and individuals in the UAE – we set out below 10 things to know about sustainability in the UAE.
The importance of sustainability
With the rapid development and change in the UAE, sustainability is more important than ever. There is no one definition of sustainability but it is generally described as living within the means of our environment, without harming or depleting such environment for future generations. Sustainability is of importance to everyone – it can provide both major opportunities and risk in the short, medium and long term. Key sustainability drivers in the region, for both businesses and individuals, include energy efficiency, compliance with regulatory and corporate social responsibility policies relating to the environment, efficient waste management and disposal (including recycling), the sourcing and use of water, the food supply chain and air, water and ground emissions. The importance of these drivers on a large scale can be seen in the recent Arab Spring, which many analysts stated was partially driven by the scarcity of resources and their rising cost. On a smaller scale, such factors affect the everyday bottom line of businesses and the social and economic wellbeing of individuals.
Government strategy
The Government of the UAE, both at a federal and Emirate level, is the key driver of sustainability in the UAE. The UAE is intending to become “sustainable” from a social, environmental and economic perspective and these perspectives all overlap and impact the other. It is key for the UAE to ensure the sustainable use of its resources (such as water and agricultural land), to diversify its economy (such as moving away from reliance on oil) and protect the quality of life of its inhabitants. This has included making sustainable development one of the key goals of UAE Vision 2021, the introduction of new green building legislation and new sustainable policies. Going forward, it is expected that concepts of sustainability will be an important part of the Government’s strategies and its interactions with the private sector.
Environmental law
Federal Law 24 of 1999 sets out the current legal basis for environmental protection and conservation in the UAE. This law requires those carrying out development and other activities in the UAE to consider the environmental implications of their activities and makes it illegal to damage the environment. The key concept behind this law is “the polluter pays” meaning that the person who pollutes will be liable for clean-up costs and subject to any other penalties permitted by law (which range from fines, to jail and even the death penalty in relation to breach of nuclear obligations). To date, the enforcement of this law has not always been consistent or clear. However, it was recently announced that the UAE Government is working on new federal environmental legislation that will allow the Ministry of Environment and Water to take a more prominent role and directly impose penalties on polluters (rather than relying on the courts) and also help push through recycling and waste reforms in the country.
Estidama
Estidama (meaning “sustainability” in Arabic) is one of the first organic sustainability frameworks in the Middle East. Introduced by Abu Dhabi in 2009, Estidama seeks to ensure that all new development in Abu Dhabi is undertaken in a sustainable manner. This includes imposin