Abu Dhabi, 07 November 2021: The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) today organised a virtual forum for its strategic partners from governmental and non-governmental entities, where its new Five-Year Strategy for 2021-2025 was highlighted.

The updated and comprehensive strategy is designed to be aligned with the UAE Centennial Vision 2071 which will have an environmental component with a vision for the future and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which is dedicated to the contribution of clean energy and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the country.

The strategy was devised to confront environmental challenges of Abu Dhabi, which include combatting the local impact of climate change, declining air quality and an increasing risk of respiratory illness, declining marine quality and the unsustainable use of ground water. This is coupled with land pollution and soil degradation, insufficient waste infrastructure, habitat loss and the over-exploitation of wild populations of fish.
As a result, EAD has stipulated that the main strategic priorities over the next five years will be: secure the resilience of Abu Dhabi through mitigation and adaptation to climate change; protection of air and marine water, and sustainably managing groundwater. EAD will also strive to empower optimized waste management and encourage circular economic principles.

Furthermore, EAD will continue to ensure the conservation, protection and enhancement of the rich biodiversity in Abu Dhabi, drive integrated environmental policy and regulation instruments and adopt evidence-based environmental enforcement and rigorous permitting and compliance. This will be supported by leveraging advanced data analytics and leading environmental research and development, as well as outreach activities.
Complementing the main strategic priorities, EAD has four enabling priorities which include: ensuring an efficient organisation with world-class strategic planning, sound budgeting, financial performance, and strong internal service delivery. Similarly, ensuring a customer-centric approach, effective engagement with stakeholders, and strong public relations and communications. 

This is in addition to positioning EAD as an excellent, innovative and futuristic organisation and securing long-term resilience and business continuity through emergency preparedness, effective human resources, corporate sustainability, data security and emiratisation.

For each one of these components, EAD has set specific targets and key performance indicators that are both measurable and quantifiable. 
On the occasion His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rulers Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD said: “As always, the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and foremost environmentalist of the UAE, has forged a unique path for this great nation, serving as a beacon for us to follow. Looking ahead to the future, we should continue to learn from the past, cherish our environment and preserve our rich local heritage and precious natural resources. It is our duty for future generations.” 

He added: “We should be committed to embrace the rapid and remarkable development of Abu Dhabi, with its continued growth and prosperity, and ensure that this development blends perfectly with our conservation and sustainability efforts, to achieve a healthy environment for all.” 
He further stated: “Through our role as the largest environmental regulator in the region, and as the competent leader for Abu Dhabi, we at Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi present here our updated and comprehensive strategy for the next five years (2021–2025) to provide a visionary and structured roadmap to ensure that everyone is able to relish and enjoy a clean, safe, and healthy environment.”

His Excellency Mohamed Al Bowardi, UAE's Minister of State for Defence Affairs and EAD's Vice Chairman added: “As we approach the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates, I cannot begin to express the immense pride I feel when I consider all the achievements of the Abu Dhabi Emirate over such a short period of time. This sense of pride is matched when reflecting on the achievements of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, which since its establishment some 25 years ago, has come so far in terms of conserving and protecting our excellent natural resources during this period of rapid development.” 

He elaborated: “Throughout the years, we have faced and overcome many issues as we strive to build a better environment for the future inhabitants of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Abu Dhabi is now a world leader in environmental affairs, and we are pleased to be able to offer our knowledge and experience to other nations. All of this makes us confident that we are on the right track, and it allows us to shift our focus to future pressing needs. After diligent review of the environmental issues and concerns facing the Emirate, we know that we need to be strategic in our approach to continue achieving our goals.” 
He stressed, “As such, in this latest five-year strategy, we lay out our priorities for the upcoming years. We describe how we intend to continue to serve as good stewards and guardians of the environment, whilst working closely with our stakeholders and partners to build upon our past successes and tackle the challenges of today, to create a better future for us all tomorrow.”

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD said: “We take our responsibility as environmental stewards very seriously, the trust that our prestigious Board places in us to fulfill our mandate, and the duty to do so for the people of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Which is why mindful of the precious natural resources under our stewardship and after careful consideration of the current state of Abu Dhabi’s environment, we have crafted our strategy for 2021–2025 to mitigate potential impacts, ameliorate existing pressures and protect the environment of Abu Dhabi Emirate.” 
She further stated: “We continue our comprehensive research programmes and studies to understand better the environment of Abu Dhabi and its natural resources, and to anticipate future risks. We continue to strengthen our capabilities to address the challenge. Still, we are also keenly aware that multiple sectors of society have a key role to play in all aspects of environmental protection and conservation. We understand that our stakeholders share a commitment to integrating socio-economic progress with care for the environment. We truly appreciate the vital role our stakeholders play, and we value the fact that they share our vision and that of our leadership.” 

She said: “Throughout the next five years we look forward to fulfilling our mandate to protect the environment in partnership with our many stakeholders, bringing about a bright, sustainable and robust future today and for generations to come. This strategy will enable us to meet the many challenges of preserving and protecting our environment, promoting the health and wellbeing of our communities, while at the same time supporting sustainable economic growth.”
Similarly, Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri stressed: “The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) recently celebrated its silver anniversary, 25 years of measuring, monitoring, improving our knowledge and understanding, refining our expertise, developing regulations and policy, and effectively managing the environment for the benefit of all. Of course, we did not do this alone; we had many stakeholders and partners helping us to realise the emirate’s vision for the environment.” 

She elaborated: “As we look forward to the next five years of our journey towards realising our leaders’ vision and aspirations for the emirate, we are confident in our mandate, our abilities, and support from leadership and partners in helping us achieve these goals. I am delighted to introduce EAD’s Strategic Plan 2021–2025, covering our vision and mission, as well as our priorities and objectives over the next five years that will contribute to the Abu Dhabi Plan and the successful realisation of Abu Dhabi’s aspirations for the future.” 

She concluded: “We set our priorities and goals after careful reflection of past successes and tribulations, a thorough review and assessment of the pressures acting upon the environment of Abu Dhabi Emirate, and thoughtful consideration of our capabilities. We are enthusiastic about tackling the task ahead and eager to make progress and achieve our objectives in making Abu Dhabi a better place for all.”