UAE raises carbon emissions reduction target

The UAE aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 31 per cent by 2030, compared to the previous target of 23.5 per cent.

The higher target is in response to calls at last year's UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

To achieve this goal, the UAE aims to involve five priority sectors – electricity, transport, industry, waste management, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). 

The electricity sector is expected to be the highest contributor to the target at 66.4%, followed by the industrial sector at 16.6%, transport at 9.7%, CCUS at 5.3% and waste at 2.1%.

The UAE’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) responds to the call of the Glasgow Climate Pact for countries to strengthen the ambition of their NDCs by the end of 2022.

"The UAE has a remarkable track record of climate efforts locally and globally. Owing to the futuristic vision of its wise leadership, the country raised its climate ambition in its first and second NDCs, submitted in 2015 and 2020 respectively. Today, we mark a new milestone in our voluntary commitment to environmental protection and climate action as we respond to the call of the Glasgow Climate Pact in our enhanced GHG emission reduction target," said Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment.

She added that meeting the new target mandates a more active participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and youth, in driving climate action.

The revised targets are also in line with the UAE’s aim of becoming a net zero carbon emitter by 2050