I think UAE is implementing best transformational strategies for a greener community. It is aiming to establish itself as one of the most sustainable cities in the world by 2020.The UAE?s Ministry of Environment and Water has undertaken to control the deterioration of our surroundings and more importantly, to promote a healthy, eco-friendly and sustainable environment.

A new YouGov study into the green habits of UAE residents has found that the population is making positive steps to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle and yet a lot of efforts are to be taken by the government. UAE government is leaving no stone unturned to raise awareness and promote a culture of environmental sustainability and conservation amongst various communities. The research also reveals residents are taking steps which are helping to address other environmental issues such as reducing the country?s carbon foot print and water wastage.

When it comes to energy consumption, the study shows that majority of UAE residents do not currently power their households with solar energy. Many residents claimed that if provided with monetary compensation or incentives from the government, they would consider installing solar panels to power their homes.

The Ministry had launched various initiatives like-

1.To reduce the use of plastic bags and to educate community  on agricultural and veterinary quarantine under the slogan ?What you carry may harm you?. The Ministry aims to ensure availability of water and food through measures that maintain a sustainable environment.

2.The UAE is also planning to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme to generate electricity. So far, the UAE has signed peaceful nuclear agreements with France, United States and Republic of Korea and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom.

3.Masdar a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Government-owned Mubadala Development Company has brought a revolution in energy conservation, renewable energy generation, and reduction of carbon emission. Masdar Power develops and operates renewable power generation projects. 

4.Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is an organisation dedicated to environment protection in the UAE. EEG?s aim is to contribute to the advancement of sustainable development, to increase public awareness through educational and community programmes, to promote positive environmental action by individuals and to endorse the idea of reduce wastage, reuse and recycle. EEG regularly holds cleanliness drives on important environmental awareness days.

5.?A green economy for sustainable development.? through this initiative, the UAE aims to become one of the world leaders in this area as well as a centre for the export and re-export of green products and technologies, and to maintain a sustainable environment to support long-term economic growth.

6.Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the utility provider in the Emirate of Dubai, has assumed a very proactive role in encouraging people to conserve water and electricity and control its wastage. DEWA?s monthly bills highlight individual usage with green, yellow, and red markings where green means usage is within acceptable limits and red means usage exceeds acceptable limits. DEWA?s website offers tips to save energy. DEWA has also launched a series of thoughtful campaigns under ?Your Decision? initiative. 

7.UAE is reducing flaring of natural gas from the oil and gas industry, constructing the Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park, installing the region?s first onshore wind farm, greening buildings are just to name few.

8.Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi is engaged in protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting sustainable development in UAE. EAD explores new groundwater resources and monitors groundwater quality and levels. Its biodiversity management sector collects and maintains details about animals, birds, and vegetation. EAD?s environment management sector monitors the quality of indoor and outdoor air and noise.

9.The construction of the first 100 of 500 townhouses at the site at Dubailand, with all residential buildings and the community centre.The Dh1.1 billion ($299.4 million) community will also include a school, a university, a planetarium, a country club and a community centre with retail and coffee shops.
The community also features a green belt with 20,000 trees and a 5,000 sq ft long water canal, a 600,000 sq ft solar park and water management system that will be recycled 100 per cent of waste water.

The UAE is poised to take a leadership role in showing the world how the transition from a high carbon-based economy to a green economy is possible. UAE is a country that has potential to achieve a green economy that operates on renewable resources such as wind and solar energy, resulting in a society and businesses with zero carbon emissions. In this way UAE has taken firm steps toward transforming itself as one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

Source:

mena.yougov.com

gulfnews.com

government.ae/en

albawaba.com