Abu Dhabi's environmental progress in numbers

Charting the achievements in the 12 months since the 2023-2025 blueprint was launched

More than a million mangrove seeds were planted using drones. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi has made striking progress in achieving its environmental goals during the first 12 months of the 2023-2025 blueprint towards a greener future, new data shows.

Established by the Environment Agency ­– Abu Dhabi and its key partners, the plan aims for the city to become an environmental and climate action leader by 2071.

But how exactly do the numbers fare? The National explains.

1 million

More than one million mangrove seeds were planted using drones in a drive towards sustainable biodiversity.

It was part of the first pathway – Vibrant Emirate Thriving in Nature – and its 23 action programmes.

In April, 850,000 mangroves were planted in various locations, including Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Al Mirfa City and Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi, as part of an initiative to plant 10 mangroves for each visitor who attended the Cop28 climate change summit.

It aims to absorb 170 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.

Sir Bani Yas Island, a wildlife reserve founded in 1971 is home to many trees and plants. Silvia Razgova / The National

800,000

The planting of 800,000 fragments of coral has increased the emirate’s total coral reef area.

A comprehensive plan for the development of aquaculture in Abu Dhabi has also been created, focusing on seven key pillars.

Locally manufactured eco-mattresses host a wide variety of marine life, including 15 species of algae, 13 species of fish, and four invertebrate species.

Launched in 2021, Fujairah's Project REEFrame has already created a one-hectare artificial reef off the UAE’s east coast on what had been bare sand and is now well into crafting a second reef 10 times larger.

Nurseries for corals will be developed to increase the total area of coral reefs and rehabilitate affected areas. Photo: EAD

30,000

The region's first smog-free tower inaugurated on Al Hudayriat Island is purifying 30,000 cubic metres per hour using positive ionisation technology, EAD highlighted.

Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, EAD’s managing director, previously said they "will explore the possibilities of introducing (more) smog-free towers across other areas in Abu Dhabi in the future".

Countries like China, the Netherlands and Poland have used Smog-Free Towers to improve air quality.

The EAD's air quality monitoring system was also expanded over the last 12 months, linking 40 factory chimneys electronically.

Reverse vending machines and smart bins aims to incentivise recycling. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

1,000

More than 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste have been recovered under a strategy to achieve a circular economy and zero waste.

Seventy reverse vending machines and 26 smart containers for recycling plastic bottles have been placed across the emirate, EAD highlighted. It also launched a bottle return scheme to incentivise residents to reduce waste.

It was part of Abu Dhabi's ambitious plan to recycle 20 million single-use plastic bottles every year.

The emirate also expanded its wider single-use plastic ban by adding some Styrofoam products to the list as it tackles plastic pollution.

72

The use of recycled water for agriculture increased to 72 per cent, with a proposal to use desalinated water to irrigate 7,600 farms also in the pipeline.

The aim is to achieve responsible use of water and reduce dependence on groundwater extraction.

A water management policy across Abu Dhabi’s district cooling plants has also been outlined.

45

Clean energy made up 45 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total energy mix, which primarily increased due to the operation of the Barakah 3 nuclear power plant.

The fourth and final unit of the plant connected to the UAE power grid in March, adding 1,400 megawatts of clean energy to the national grid.

Abu Dhabi's 1.5 gigawatt solar plant, which is expected to become operational in 2026 or earlier, is also expected to reduce the emirate’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2.4 million metric tonnes per year.

The emirate's low-carbon hydrogen policy was also adopted, with plans to power parks with “clean electricity”.

A transition to a clean-energy transport system was also formulated, with a focus on electric vehicles and shared mobility under the newly approved autonomous framework.

When fully operational, the entire plant will produce enough electricity to cover 25 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Photo: FANR

22

The five-year Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy includes 85 projects to reduce emissions by 22 per cent and develop adaptation plans for key sectors.

The Abu Dhabi Energy Outlook 2050 initiative was also unveiled, setting a long-term framework for a gradual transition towards carbon neutrality.

The pilot phase of the hospitality sector Carbon Calculator was also launched, and the fifth greenhouse gas emissions inventory and future estimates for the emirate completed.

8

Eight universities and more than 250 climate experts have joined the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN) to promote innovation in green science and technology.

Multiple research projects have been conducted aboard the vessel Jaywun, including an atmospheric research trip that sailed via 25 countries and eight seas.

In addition, 15 young UAE National cadres have been trained in marine research.

The largest gathering of western osprey in the Arabian Gulf region was monitored, and eight new species of digger wasps were discovered in the emirate's nature reserves.

The data ecology analyst on a mission to protect UAE's treasured mangroves – in pictures

Amna Alhemeiri is a data ecology analyst at startup Dendra Systems which protects the UAE's mangroves. Photo: Amna Alhemeiri

In her role, she undertakes field visits for monitoring and ground 'truthing', which assesses the accuracy of remote data. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramoham

As part of her work, she will analyse maps and try out new modelling systems. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramoham

Ms Alhemeiri, who is a graduate in environmental sciences and sustainability, said she enjoys identifying different species of birds in the mangroves. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramoham

Ms Alhemeiri also writes notes, checks the tidal line, the health of leaves and the mangrove roots. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramoham

Ms Alhemeiri said they look through maps and try to find target 'gap' areas in the mangroves Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramoham

Ms Alhemeiri and the team use AI and drones to undertake large-scale ecosystem restoration. Photo: Seven Studio

Dendra Systems has partnered with The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and investment company ADQ. Photo: Seven Studios

Mangrove populations are declining worldwide, but efforts are being put in place to protect them. Photo: Seven Studios