By Abdullahi Lukman
Abu Dhabi has unveiled its first Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Environment Sector, marking a significant move to safeguard the emirate’s natural resources against the impacts of climate change.
Announced by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi in July, the plan is a science-based roadmap aligned with both the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050 and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience introduced at COP28.
The plan targets three critical environmental systems—groundwater, soil, and biodiversity—essential for water security, human health, agriculture, and ecosystem stability.
It identifies climate-related risks and proposes 142 adaptation measures to be carried out by 2050, with 86 priority projects slated for implementation within the next five years.
By focusing on sustainable land and water management and biodiversity conservation, the plan supports national goals such as improving food self-sufficiency and enhancing ecological resilience.
These initiatives aim to reduce environmental and economic risks while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s social and ecological stability.
This adaptation plan is part of a wider emirate strategy that includes sectoral plans for energy, health, and infrastructure.
Together, these efforts position Abu Dhabi as a regional leader in climate adaptation and contribute to the UAE’s broader objectives of reducing environmental vulnerability and protecting ecosystems.