Dubai-UAE: 22 November, 2017:  The UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment held its fourth meeting presided over by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The meeting was convened at the Hayat Regency Hotel, Dubai and attended by Council members from local and federal authorities and the private sector.

His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: “The UAE’s participation in the 23rd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 23) in Bonn from November 6 to 17, 2017 affirmed the UAE's commitment to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and all relevant international resolutions. It also shows our keenness to continue voluntarily participating in international efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.”

Al Zeyoudi added that the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment is the result of the vision of our wise leadership and national efforts to adopt international best practices to promote sustainability as a lifestyle to ensure the preservation of local environment for current and future generations. The Council aims to find solutions to the crucial environmental challenges faced by the country while maintaining economic growth and protecting cultural and civilizational heritage at same time. It also aims at developing and implementing a comprehensive and ambitious plan that will serve as an example in the region in dealing with climate change and environment,”.

The meeting reviewed the latest developments of relevant technical committees related to the National Climate Change Plan 2050 and the Green Agenda 2030 as well as the developments in promoting the transition to green development.   

The meeting also reviewed the developments in the Environmental Performance Improvement Initiative, which was launched at the UAE Government annual meetings in September 2017. 

The discussion also covered the latest developments in the field of municipal work such as the unified guide to municipal work, integrated waste management, occupational safety and health, landscaping and beautification of cities, management of crises, and disasters and emergencies in order to unify national standards and upgrade the municipal work. 

The discussion topics included the developments of national waste database, dynamic reports, an interactive data platform for each emirate, establishment of a unified federal addressing system, mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and lower carbon footprint. 

The participants were briefed on the initiatives of the technical committee for education and awareness that aims to educate young people to lead the UAE towards a sustainable future using modern means as well as educate the community about sustainability, green development and environment. 

The meeting also shed light on the outcomes of COP23 such the finalization of the general rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement by 2018, that reflects the positions of the UAE and other Arab nations with respect to the Paris Guidelines drafted during COP23. 

The audience was briefed on the national agenda on air quality and treated waste proportion from total waste produced (municipal solid waste) and integrated waste management projects in the UAE.