INTRODUCTION

Impacts of climate change, such as increasing or decreasing rainfall and temperature, are expected to affect the Gulf region and its ecosystems in many ways. These include the effects on agricultural production, water availability, coastal infrastructures, biodiversity and human health. Governments around the world are taking measures to adapt to, and be prepared for, potential impacts of climate change. 

As a leader of the green resolution,the UAE is conscious of its responsibility to safeguard nature and mitigate the effects of climate change on its habitat and ecosystems in order to ensure that future generations inherit an environmentally sustainable world.

Various efforts taken by UAE are as follows-

THE LAKI WORKSHOP

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has co-organised a workshop with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, and United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, on the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative, LAKI, for the Gulf Cooperation Council region, in Abu Dhabi. The workshop was hosted by the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, AGEDI. 
The LAKI workshop aimed to enhance successful adaptation actions in the Gulf region by identifying and prioritising knowledge of these gaps and how to close them. This workshop helped take stock of what is already in the region and identify ways in which gaps can be addressed in order for the region to be better prepared for impacts of climate change and achieving sustainable development.The workshop participants included researchers from international organisations and academic institutions from the region, representatives from UAE federal and local entities as well as those engaged in international climate change negotiations.

NATIONAL BLUE CARBON PROJECT

The Blue Carbon Project represents an important step in efforts to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change, which is one of the main objectives of the National Strategy for Biodiversity, improving the contribution of ecosystems in carbon stocks by 2021 to help mitigate climate change by strengthening the capacity of marine and coastal ecosystems to absorb greenhouse gases. These systems have a better ability to absorb than any other source. 

The Ministry of Environment and Water, MoEW launched the National Blue Carbon Project report, marking the first national quantification of the UAE's Blue Carbon stocks, which will help guide decision-making in coastal ecosystem preservation and climate change mitigation.This project is the first of its kind in the region and looks towards strengthening the UAE's leading position in issues concerning the environment, biodiversity and climate change at both regional and global levels.

REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS

The UAE has started a transition to curb emission of green house gases,focusing on natural gas and assessing peaceful civilian nuclear energy,to meet significant power generation demands.

RENEWABLES

Dubai is developing its master environmental plan that will ensure growth and progress are achieved while mitigating climate change.

The Dubai Government recently issued a requirement that all buildings in the emirate will be constructed environmentally-friendly green building standards.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE DIRECTORATE

The United Arab Emirates government creation of an Energy & Climate Change Directorate (ECC) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) was selected as the best solution to build the required capacity for managing UAE?s climate change and renewable energy agenda. The establishment of the Directorate was an idea incepted by the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan – who believes that the dialogue on Global Climate Change is one that the UAE can be heavily involved in – highlighting the UAE?s efforts to mitigating the effects of climate change. The mandate for this new directorate includes both an international and domestic role. The international role entails ensuring international representation and negotiation while the domestic role entails coordination with national stakeholders.

The international role encompasses-

-Climate change negotiations and international positioning (including carbon finance and the Clean Development Mechanisms.

-Monitoring, analysis and reporting on international climate change energy and developments, especially with regards to alternative energy.

-Commercial advocacy in key strategic locations.

CONCLUSION

The UAE is putting in great efforts to mitigate climate change in order to safeguard its environment for current and future generations.If all the nations continue their efforts,surely we will be able to combat climate change.

Sources:

Vision2021.ae , UAE-embassy.org , mofa.gov.ae , ead.ae.