17 February 2008
Dubai: Many environmental advocates believe that the preservation of the environment is an important tool to ensure peace.
Despite the frenzied pace of development, the UAE is aiming for a balanced development strategy, and it is not surprising that the capital, Abu Dhabi, is a sanctuary of environmental peace.
Concern for the environment is evident in the economic, industrial and cultural activities of the capital.
Mohammad Ahmad Al Bowardi, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Managing Director of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), talks about how his agency is treading the fine line between preserving the environment and creating a progressive, highly developed nation.
Gulf News: What are the most prominent features of the strategy of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) and its most important initiatives to achieve environmental security and sustainable development?
Mohammad Ahmad Al Bowardi: The purpose of the Agency was based on the solid principle of striving to achieve a delicate balance between economic and social development and sustainable use of resources.
How do EAD's environmental plans and initiatives strike a balance between economic and social development?
EAD is working on the development and application of integrated management systems and the application of sustainable construction principles. There are follow-up procedures for projects to be implemented under a clean development mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental impact of all projects, before the licensing, control, inspection and scrutiny, is evaluated. Nearly 700 industrial establishments have been licensed environmentally in various cities and industrial zones in Abu Dhabi.
In 2007, 328 existing industrial establishments were evaluated and had their licences renewed. The EAD also controls and inspects the circulation of chemicals and hazardous materials, radioactive materials and in the past year, 46,718 chemicals and dangerous shipments have been released at border outlets, and five shipments have been refused. We have also undertaken inspection visits to 159 companies dealing with hazardous chemicals, issued 77 new environmental licences and renewed 41 existing licences.
International reports revealed recently that the UAE is one of the highest energy and water consumer countries in the world in proportion to its population. Are there initiatives to stimulate citizens and residents alike to ration water and energy consumption?
Nature imposed harsh climatic conditions on the UAE and the Gulf countries in general, which leads to an increase in the consumption of water and energy. Some studies expect an increase in consumption rates in light of the economic and industrial boom that the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, is witnessing. Hence the importance of launching awareness campaigns to ration the consumption of electricity and water and keep it within the accepted rates.
National building capacity and development of national human resources in the field of the environment are key factors to support environmental development plans. Are there programmes to train and qualify nationals in various areas of environment?
Of course, there are. The programmes are continuous and progressive at the local, regional and international level. 45 per cent of our EAD employees are nationals and these individuals represent national competencies in the field of environment, upon whom we will build our plans for the future. The Authority is "incentivising" UAE nationals through bonuses, training courses and career opportunities, and gives them priority in recruitment.
What are the most important features of the new EAD tasks and how are they integrated into the current strategy?
One of the most important activities is the regulation of hunting and fishing sectors, waste management, organisation of irrigation and water resources management, supervision of environmental awareness programmes and improvement of waste management.
A law was issued establishing Al Yasat island as a new marine protectorate to be added to Marwah marine reserve, surrounding islands and regions to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity and support efforts to develop marine resources and improve sustainable management systems for fisheries.
How do you evaluate the efforts of EAD in preserving the natural environment and breeding programmes of endangered Houbara bustards and falcons? Are there any new initiatives in this regard?
The Hatchery Falconry Project in the UK, and the Pro-Falcon Breeding Project in Al Ain are considered among the world's leading projects to preserve falcons in the wild. The project aims to improve falconry strains and bloodlines of falcons in captivity, reduce the risks of wild falcons' extinction. Abu Dhabi is also interested in Houbara bustards, providing the proper environment for them, increasing their numbers and inviting hunters to preserve their environment and adhere to sustainable hunting, which is accomplished by educating falconers about the necessity of using hybrid falcons that are reproduced in captivity instead of taming endangered wild falcons. In addition to establishing falconry hospitals, EAD is currently considering a programme to resettle falcons in in Central Asia.
What are the latest efforts of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) to register and document the tradition of falconry in the UNESCO as an intangible world heritage sport?
ADACH prepared an integrated project on the tradition of falconry in order to have it registered and adopted by Unesco. This would enrich the cultural historical record of the organisation by recording all information and manuscripts on the history of falconry in the world, entailing a full review of its Arabian roots, its cultural richness, its role in nomadic life, its traditions and modern methods with a focus on the history of falconry in the UAE.
Climate change and global warming are major concerns. What is the role of EAD in increasing awareness and stimulating individuals to reduce this phenomenon?
The effects of climate change pose a great danger and it is necessary to take measures, which include changing lifestyles, preserving energy sources, and implementation of strategies and policies to ensure the effectiveness of energy on a large scale. Awareness initiatives, environmental education and training programmes are a critical factor to bring about the required behavioural changes. Abu Dhabi seeks to adopt a new vision in dealing with future energy within a unified solutions package.
There is growing global interest in the issue of the renewable energy in light of depleting traditional energy sources. What is the future of renewable energy in Abu Dhabi?
His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has announced that the UAE will contribute $150 million (Dh550 million) towards financing the research and development of future energy solutions.
We are proud that Abu Dhabi, two years ago, was the first in the region to promote sustainable energy. According to the directives of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the Masdar Initiative is developing and applying techniques and solutions in the field of photovoltaic, solar, thermal and wind energy and managing carbon emission.
The UAE has acceded to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, after succeeding in agricultural development despite its difficult climate and water scarcity. Where are we with the efforts to combat desertification and increase green spaces in Abu Dhabi?
This administration has, over the past three decades, worked to contain the problem and reduce its adverse environmental consequences. The results of these efforts are evident in several aspects such as the spread of public gardens, green meadows, natural reserves and the increasing numbers of palm trees, reaching about 41 million palm trees, in addition to 150 million fruitful forest trees, that led in turn to the UAE ranking sixth worldwide in date production.
The UAE last year ratified the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. What are the benefits of signing the convention?
The benefits of this convention and others are not confined to the UAE but encompass the Gulf region as a whole. EAD is closely following up the issues of environmental and marine pollution and discussing all matters regarding the marine environment of the state and the region as well as developing strategies and appropriate processes to combat and limit marine pollution risks.
Are there new initiatives in Abu Dhabi for expanding the green cover and combating desertification to preserve and protect the environment for present and future generations?There are four national programmes to combat desertification in the country. These are: to maintain renewable natural resources of soil, water, vegetation and domesticated and wild animal wealth; confront cases of drought and mitigate their effects; limit soil erosion and stabilise moving sand and develop national manpower working in these areas.
By Mohamed Ezz El Din
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
