The rapid growth in population in Abu Dhabi has contributed to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions in UAE’s capital. The same was revealed through a major study conducted by a government agency and it was also found that the emission of harmful and toxic gases including carbon dioxide in the atmosphere had increased by 36.6% between 2010 and 2016, this means every year the emission increased with an average of 6% every year.
There is no doubt why the carbon dioxide emissions in Abu Dhabi is among the highest in the world, the emirate contributes less than 0.3% of the global emissions; however, these are still considered as the leading causes for climate change.
Experts believe that it is still possible to bring the level of emission under control while continuing to expand the economy and population of Abu Dhabi. Some of the vital government-backed initiatives such as the new Barakah nuclear power station is likely to play a critical role in bringing down the level of emissions over the next decade and also break the link between the increase in size of the economy and the pollution levels.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Abu Dhabi, Thani Al Zeyoudi said that the government has already put its plans in place for reducing the levels of carbon emissions. He said that the United Arabs Emirates has started a journey towards a low carbon and green economy and the journey is guided by the UAE Green Growth Strategy that aims to make economic developments in the nation but in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
The figures released by the study are used for determining the performance on the level of emissions against the different international commitments including the Paris Climate Agreement.
