The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has initiated a carbon Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) program that adheres to international standards, marking a crucial move toward mitigating carbon emissions in the emirate.
EAD has made noteworthy advancements in exploring the feasibility of carbon pricing mechanisms, a key strategy in combating carbon emissions and climate change in both Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. This initiative aims to expedite the emirate’s shift to a low-carbon economy while facilitating the decarbonization of high-emission and hard-to-tackle sectors. In preparation for COP28, the agency has invested substantial resources in collaboration with federal and local partners, as well as the private sector.
Supporting decarbonization efforts
Research conducted by EAD indicates that establishing a domestic carbon pricing system will aid industries in Abu Dhabi, especially those with high emissions, in their decarbonization efforts. The MRV program is designed to enable precise monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, laying the foundation for an effective carbon pricing strategy.
Standardizing GHG reporting
This system aims to standardize and enhance the reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Abu Dhabi’s industrial and energy sectors, aligning local initiatives with global best practices to boost international competitiveness, manage long-term GHG emissions, and encourage technological innovation at the forefront of the global climate change agenda in the region.
Aligning with global standards
The program will produce reliable data that fulfills global climate standards, such as those established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is also in line with the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement and international efforts aimed at climate mitigation. Furthermore, it reinforces the outcomes of the UAE Consensus adopted during COP28.
Annual reporting requirements
The MRV emissions program will mandate that major carbon-emitting facilities monitor, report, and have their emissions verified by third parties annually, with the first reports expected in 2026. The program’s design, which includes the sectors involved and their respective thresholds, has been developed through extensive consultation with key stakeholders from both public and private sectors, ensuring alignment and collaboration.
Commitment to climate leadership
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, secretary general of EAD, remarked: “Abu Dhabi has fortified its position as a forward-thinking leader on climate action, through working closely with our government, industrial and energy sector partners, as we are integrating new mandatory Measurement, Reporting and Verification efforts into our broader carbon accounting framework. Transparent data is essential for assessing climate policies, such as carbon pricing mechanisms, and supports Abu Dhabi’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 22 per cent by 2027 and contribute to the emirate’s continued sustainable economic prosperity. Through this journey, we are very keen to proactively take the necessary steps as part of the national pathways towards Net Zero by 2050.”
Importance of MRV systems
His Excellency Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, underscored the Department’s dedication to driving collaboration with partners and stakeholders to drive the transformation of the energy sector. He stressed the significance of this collective endeavor in achieving Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development objectives and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
His Excellency stated: “Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems are crucial for providing accurate data to track carbon emissions, ensure transparency, build trust, and drive effective climate action.”
EGA’s sustainability goals
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), expressed: “The GHG MRV solution will help EGA to meet evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining transparency and auditability of our emissions data throughout the value chain of our production processes. This tool is an important step in achieving our bold aspiration of embedding sustainability in everything we do and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
EAD will oversee the implementation and management of the MRV program in the emirate, serving as a crucial operational foundation for decarbonization through the development of clean technologies and supporting the UAE’s targets for 2050.
