The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, has released its annual report for 2013, which highlights its efforts and commitment to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater and the bio-diversity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's desert and its marine ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion of the release of the report, which is available in both English and Arabic, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and EAD Chairman, said, "EAD is focused on implementing programmes and initiatives that help protect the environment, which are based on priorities set by the Abu Dhabi Environment Vision 2030. This vision is an integral part of a comprehensive programme approved by the Government of Abu Dhabi, which includes economic, environmental and social policies that will help lead Abu Dhabi towards sustainable development." "Successfully achieving our goals in environmental protection will reflect on our environment and our economy, which will in turn benefit our society by minimising environmental risks, enhancing the quality of life, conserving our natural resources for future generations, and creating new job opportunities," H.H. Sheikh Hamdan added.
Sheikh Hamdan went on to say, "We extend our gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, for their ongoing support for all projects that will benefit future generations." EAD's accomplishments, which are summarised in the report, include enhancing strategic planning expertise on waste management, air quality, water, bio-diversity, climate change and acquiring an additional 440 groundwater wells. This has led, for the first time, to producing a comprehensive, trans-national monitoring network that has received international recognition for the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve as a Ramsar Convention adherent site, as well as the launching of the Abu Dhabi Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, and the successful engagement of the industrial sector, which helped improve compliance and limit the amount of particulate matter emitted into the atmosphere.
In the report's foreword, Mohammed Al Bowardi, EAD's Managing Director, said, "Since its establishment in 1996, EAD has played a major role in protecting Abu Dhabi's public health and ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem through research, development and implementation of key environmental policies and regulations. These efforts have been carried out under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in line with the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the U.A.E., and under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of EAD." "As the Emirate of Abu Dhabi continues to develop, it becomes even more critical that EAD strengthens its regulatory and enforcement framework and continues to consolidate knowledge and data for more informed environmental decision-making. One such example this year was when EAD led a pioneering ‘Blue Carbon' project, that has provided us with an unprecedented understanding of how Abu Dhabi's coastal and marine ecosystems play a critical role in fighting climate change," Al Bowardi added.
"EAD is committed to working towards achieving its goals, in partnership with its stakeholders on local and international levels to achieve its mandate and to maintain the leading position of both Abu Dhabi and the U.A.E. in environmental sustainability for the benefit of the current and future generations," Al Bowardi concluded.
Commenting on EAD's 2013 achievements, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD's Secretary-General, said, "EAD successfully achieved significant milestones within the environment protection roadmap which we put forth in our strategy including government-wide environmental strategies and policies, elevating the understanding and execution of environmental activities on the national agenda." Amongst EAD's other key accomplishments for the year, 637 facility inspections were conducted to ensure that they comply with permit conditions. The authority has dealt with around 1,000 violations, some of which related to inefficient recordkeeping, inadequate employee training and the transfer of hazardous materials.