UAE targets food security, clean energy under new Environmental Policy

The UAE targets to score 100 per cent on the Food Safety Index by 2040, according to the UAE Environmental Policy.

The policy, approved by the cabinet, was launched virtually today by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment(MOCCAE). It aims to enhance the quality of life, promote economic diversity and preserve ecosystems.

The policy has been drafted after a detailed study on the current environmental situation and in line with the UAE Vision 2021.

"Over the past 49 years, environmental protection has been at the forefront of the UAE’s priorities and an integral part of its cultural heritage. In line with the forward-thinking visions and directives of its leadership, the country’s environmental efforts have included establishing a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework, and launching multiple initiatives, programmes and projects aimed at protecting the environment, preserving natural resources, and ensuring the sustainability of biological diversity,” Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said.

The policy comprises of eight main pillars:

1: Climate Change is the first pillar of the policy. It defines a set of targets and indicators, such as increasing the share of clean energy in the total domestic energy mix to 50 per cent by 2050.

2: Environmental Protection pillar targets to protect 22 per cent of inland water areas and 20 per cent of biodiversity-rich coastal and marine areas. It also aims to rehabilitate 80 per cent of degraded land by 2030.

3: The air quality pillar is in line with the objective of the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 to raise the National Air Quality Index score to 90 per cent by 2021. Targets include increasing the National Air Quality Index score to 100 per cent by 2040.

4: Food Safety and Security pillars aim to implement the latest global technologies and systems, raise preparedness for food safety accidents. Its targets include reaching a score of 100 per cent on the Food Safety Index by 2040

5: Sustainable Local Crop and Animal Production pillar focus on strengthening the capacities of the local agricultural sector, by adopting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural methods.

6: Another pillar, Integrated Waste Management aims to make the UAE a pioneering model of a circular economy.

7: Under the Sustainable Local Animal Production, the UAE aims to position as a global hub for camel breeding research by 2040.

8: Integrated Waste Management pillar focusses on reducing waste generation at source and mitigating the economic, health, and environmental risks resulting from unsustainable waste treatment and disposal life cycle.