The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced it has signed a pledge to join the Advisory Committee of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), in support of the country’s net zero ambitions.

The UACA was launched at COP27 by environmental charity Emirates Nature-WWF to create a multi-stakeholder alliance for climate action. Its vision is to increase momentum for near and long-term net-zero targets and foster greater collaboration to create a policy environment that supports entities’ decarbonisation efforts. The UACA engages sub-national and non-state actors including the private sector, and is endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

The UACA is part of the global Alliances for Climate Action, an accelerator of the Race to Zero global campaign, led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions that rallies leadership and support from non-state actors to build momentum around decarbonisation and halve emissions by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Signing the pledge on behalf of the EAD was Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, in the presence of the Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chair of the UACA Advisory Committee, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 UAE, along with Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF.

The EAD signed the commitment to join UACA and the UACA Advisory Committee. As part of the UACA Advisory Committee, the EAD will be working alongside other members to provide high-level strategic and technical guidance that draws on the sectoral expertise of its diverse leaders, and support UACA’s objective of increasing momentum towards a net zero future.

The agency will also work to ensure UACA is a key driver for enhanced domestic sub-national non-state actor commitments, while supporting UACA’s outreach by supporting synergies between non state actor decarbonisation learnings and engaging policymakers on findings and recommendations, to accelerate the transition to net-zero.

The EAD will raise awareness around UACA and its benefits to the UAE, identify strategic opportunities for UACA to contribute to national projects, such as the Climate Responsible Sustainable Companies pledge, and assign a focal point to achieve the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative by sharing information on upcoming policies and relevant information as necessary.

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chair of the UACA Advisory Committee, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 UAE, said: “The EAD is the primary custodian of climate action in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and it is fitting that the agency would be a key member of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action Advisory Committee due to its vast years of experience in addressing climate change. Just last year, EAD launched the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, designed with ambitious targets to reduce emissions in Abu Dhabi as a means of combatting climate change. Therefore, EAD will be a prominent member providing experienced and significant guidance – all with the goal of supporting the UAE’s strategic initiative to reach Net Zero by 2050.”

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “It is an honour to be chosen by the UAE Alliance for Climate Action as part of the Advisory Committee. We are committed in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to reaching Net Zero by 2050 in alignment with the UAE Government’s vision. We look forward to exchanging information and providing counsel to other committee members to create positive change in ensuring that the UAE maintains its leadership position in its remarkable efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change.”

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, said: “Collaboration is key to tackling the urgent climate challenges we face today. Having diverse viewpoints and a whole-of-society approach, including government bodies, around the table is essential. We are delighted to welcome the EAD to join UACA and the UACA Advisory Committee, and look forward to leveraging these unique perspectives to advance national ambition and implement effective decarbonisation strategies in the UAE.”