UAE accelerates to net zero with nationwide emissions reduction of 40% by 2030

Following the UAE Cabinet's approval of the Third Update of the country's Second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) on Tuesday announced a comprehensive roadmap to achieving 40 per cent emission reduction by 2030 compared to business as usual.

The Third Update of the Second NDC marks a nationwide emissions reduction commitment with clear targets set for all domestic sectors. This will bring the entire nation together, including the public and private sector, to accelerate the UAE's journey to Net Zero emissions by 2050.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said the Third Update of the Second NDC marks a step-change in the nation's approach to greenhouse gas emission reduction.

"In the Year of Sustainability, when our nation hosts COP28, this milestone announcement underlines our national commitment to more ambitious climate action. The UAE believes that climate action across every aspect of our economy is vital for creating a prosperous future."

"The UAE, under the leadership of our President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, views climate action not only as a strategic imperative for the environment and our future generations, but also as an opportunity for sustainable economic growth and socially inclusive prosperity," Almheiri said.

"We have progressively raised ambition in less than three years, highlighted by the commitment to reduce emissions by 23.5 per cent in our Second NDC; decreased this further to 31 per cent in our Second Updated NDC; and pushed our efforts even further to reach a reduction of 40 per cent in our Third Update of our Second NDC compared to business as usual."

A bold approach with clear targets

Despite being officially classified as a developing country, the UAE has taken a further step in its commitment and is following the model of developed countries for its Third Update of its Second NDC by using fixed level and base year targets.

Accordingly, net greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced from an expected 208 MtCO2e, as announced in the Updated Second NDC in 2022 to 182 MtCO2e by 2030. This marks an absolute emissions reduction of 19 per cent compared to the 2019 base year level.

The UAE's voluntary and proactive new approach ensures that its emission reduction goals are transparent and easier to track, resulting in beneficial outcomes that align directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All domestic sectors such as power and water generation, heavy industry, transport, waste, buildings, and agriculture will collectively reduce emissions as per specific sectoral targets. The nation has developed a concrete implementation roadmap, including improved governance structures and new policy initiatives.

The new update also reflects the UAE's commitment to the outcomes of Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees while pursing all measures to limit it to well below 1.5 degree by end of this century.