United Arab Emirates

Overall Objective

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced remarkable economic growth in the past few decades. It has also made substantial progress in life expectancy, quality of life, education, and health. However, the speed of urban development, volatile global energy markets, and climate change have created sustainability challenges.

GGGI’s objective in UAE is to support the government to implement its green growth and climate change policies through a combination of support mechanisms, training, knowledge platforms and knowledge sharing events.

Strategic Outcome Targets

GHG Reductions 182 MtCO2e (incl. LULUCF) by 2030
Green Jobs 50,000 new green jobs by 2030
Sustainable Services Target Setting in Progress
Air Quality 35 µg/m3 annual average concentration of PM2.5 in residential areas by 2030
Ecosystem Services Target Setting in Progress
Enhanced Adaptation to Climate Change Target Setting in Progress

Themes

Contact
Ahmed Al Amra

UAE Country Representative

Resource Partner

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)

Implementation Partner

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)

Government Counterpart

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC)

Key Documents

Context

The United Arab Emirates is a hydrocarbon-based economy with a long-term vision to prepare for the post-oil era by transitioning toward green economy. The country has achieved rapid economic growth in the past few decades leading to substantial progress in education, health, life expectancy, and quality of life. However, the UAE is facing pressing sustainability challenges as shown by rapid urbanization, volatile global energy markets, deteriorating air quality, and hyper-arid environment with limited arable land and water. Furthermore, the high living standards and levels of energy and material consumption have resulted in excessive inefficiencies and waste.

 

Against this backdrop, GGGI has been playing a key role in supporting the UAE’s transition toward green economy since 2011. Through the development of the National Green Growth Strategy and the National Climate Change Plan, which were both approved by the UAE Cabinet, GGGI has helped establish a solid enabling policy framework for green growth in the UAE, thereby setting an example for other oil-rich economies in the Gulf. GGGI has also enabled the UAE to be a knowledge-sharing and capacity-building hub for green growth in the Middle East through numerous capacity development workshops for students and young professionals in the region. Going forward, GGGI continues to position itself as a trusted partner of the government in implementing various initiatives related to climate change adaptation, air quality, circular economy, youth empowerment, and sustainable finance, among others.

News

News • February 2, 2021

GGGI Director-General discusses Sustainable Recovery during the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

February 1, 2021 – Recognizing the importance of a green post COVID-19 recovery as a critical moment for sustainable finance, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) participated in the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum on January 20, 2021. GGGI Director-General, Dr. Frank Rijsberman, took part in a panel discussion to share his insights on a sustainable […]

News • September 25, 2020

UAE Held Awareness Workshop on Climate Risks and Opportunities for Insurance Sector

September 17, 2020 – The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), UAE Insurance Authority (IA), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) organized a virtual awareness workshop to discuss climate-related opportunities and challenges for the insurance sector. Themed “Studying the Insurance Sector’s Opportunities and Risks in Light of Climate Change Challenges,” more than 50 […]

News • October 16, 2018

GGGI organizes World Food Day workshop for Youth in UAE

On October 16, World Food Day, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), together with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Embassy of Australia and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, co-organized a half-day Youth Workshop – “Our Food Our Future”. Dedicated to the young generation in the UAE, the workshop took […]

News • July 17, 2018

Adaptation to Climate Change in the UAE Environment Sector: Capacity Building and Stakeholder Consultation Workshop

On July 16-17, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held a two-day workshop on capacity building and stakeholder consultation on risk assessment and climate change adaptation focusing on the environment sector. The workshop aimed to share the preliminary risk assessment results with stakeholders and gain […]

News • July 29, 2017

UAE: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Holds First Stakeholder Meeting on National Air Emissions Inventory

Saturday July 29, 2017 The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) kicked off the process of establishing a national air emissions inventory in Dubai, holding the first stakeholder consultation for participants from both federal and emirate-level entities. The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and […]

News • August 3, 2016

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment holds workshop on climate change with private sector

DUBAI – August 03, 2016 – The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), yesterday hosted a workshop with representatives from the private sector, to seek their input on the UAE National Climate Change Plan, which is aimed at furthering the country’s ambitious economic diversification agenda, and its transition into new, knowledge-based industries in line […]

News • January 15, 2016

Green growth in the UAE; a growing oasis of sustainable development

By Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI Communications Specialist  A recent World Bank study has forecast that over 100 million of the world’s most vulnerable people could be pushed into poverty if adequate steps are not taken to address the impacts of climate change.   Rising temperatures could also make some parts of the world inhospitable by the end […]

News • November 20, 2014

UAE reaffirms commitment to a greener economy

SONGDO-KOREA, 19th November, 2014 (WAM) – A delegation from the United Arab Emirates represented by the Directorate of Energy and Climate Change of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated today in the annual Global Green Growth Institute?s (GGGI) governance meetings ? the 3rd Assembly and the 6th Council ? in Songdo, Korea as a member […]

Projects

AE18
AE18 Development of Abu Dhabi’s GHG and Air Quality MRV System
Start Date Q1 1 JAN 2023
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 332,570
Status Active
Thematic Area
  • Monitoring
  • Reporting and Verification
View
AE13
AE13 UAE National MRV Framework
Start Date Q1 1 JAN 2021
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 847,081
Status Active
Thematic Area
  • Monitoring
  • Reporting and Verification
View
AE10
Thematic Areas
AE10 International Cooperation with Bahrain
Start Date Q1 01 MAR 2020
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 800,000
Status Active
Thematic Area
  • Cross Cutting
View
AE08
Thematic Areas
AE08 National Air Quality Strategy – UAE
Start Date Q1 01 JAN 2020
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 653,000
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • Monitoring
View
AE09
AE09 Private Engagement and Green Investment Mobilization
Start Date Q1 01 JAN 2020
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 367,000
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • Green Finance
  • Climate Finance
View
AE11
Thematic Areas
AE11 Green Agenda Policy Advisory
Start Date Q1 01 Mar 2020
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 584,000
Status Active
Thematic Area
  • Cross Cutting
View
AE07
AE07 National Framework for Action on Climate Change Adaptation
Start Date Q1 01 JAN 2020
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 794,000
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • National Adaptation Planning (NAP)
View
AE06
Thematic Areas
AE06 Strengthening Green Talent and Workforce
Start Date Q1 1 JAN 2019
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 65,691
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • Cross Cutting
  • Green Jobs
View
Thematic Areas
United Arab Emirates(GIS02) WGEO – Smart City Investment Project
Start Date Q1 Sep 9 2018
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 468,247
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • Cross Cutting
View
AE03
AE03 UAE National Climate Adaptation Program
Start Date Q1 1 JAN 2019
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 364,809
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • National Adaptation Planning (NAP)
View
AE04
AE04 UAE National Air Emissions Monitoring Project
Start Date Q1 1 JAN 2019
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 210,568
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • GHGI
  • Monitoring
  • Reporting and Verification
View
AE01
Thematic Areas
AE01 UAE Green Growth Initiative
Start Date Q1 2017
Funding Source
Actual Budget (USD) 3,490,000
Status Complete
Thematic Area
  • Cross Cutting
View

Reports

GGGI UAE Country Planning Framework 2023 – 2027 United Arab Emirates  • United Arab Emirates  • CPF (2023-2027)
Report
GGGI UAE Country Planning Framework 2023 – 2027

United Arab Emirates  • United Arab Emirates  • CPF (2023-2027)

Evaluation of GGGI’s Progress Against the Strategic Plan 2015-20 (2017) Paraguay  • Mongolia  • Papua New Guinea  • Mozambique  • Hungary
Report
Evaluation of GGGI’s Progress Against the Strategic Plan 2015-20 (2017)

Paraguay  • Mongolia  • Papua New Guinea  • Mozambique  • Hungary  • Colombia  • Nepal  • Costa Rica  • Fiji  • Philippines  • India  • Rwanda  • Jordan  • Senegal  • Kiribati  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR  • Viet Nam  • Cambodia  • Uganda  • Morocco  • Ethiopia  • Myanmar  • Qatar  • Peru  • Green Cities  • Indonesia  • México  • Sustainable Energy  • Thailand  • Green Buildings and Industry  • Vanuatu  • Gender and Inclusive Development  • Sustainable Transport  • Waste  • Solar Energy  • Climate Resilient and Green Growth  • Sustainable Landscapes  • Climate Finance  • National Financing Vehicles  • NFVs

Review of Strategic Plan 2015-2020: Commitments Delivered and Key Results Ecuador  • Uzbekistan  • Caribbean  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR
Report
Review of Strategic Plan 2015-2020: Commitments Delivered and Key Results

Ecuador  • Uzbekistan  • Caribbean  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR  • Viet Nam  • Cambodia  • Mongolia  • Saint Lucia  • Mozambique  • Guyana  • Papua New Guinea  • Colombia  • Nepal  • Costa Rica  • Hungary  • Fiji  • Philippines  • India  • Rwanda  • Jordan  • Senegal  • Kiribati  • Uganda  • Morocco  • Ethiopia  • Myanmar  • Burkina Faso  • Peru  • Green Cities  • Tonga  • Qatar  • Indonesia  • Forest (Sustainable) Landscapes  • México  • Sustainable Energy  • Thailand  • Vanuatu  • Green Buildings and Industry  • Gender and Inclusive Development  • Sustainable Transport  • Waste  • Solar Energy  • Sustainable Landscapes  • Green Finance  • Climate-Smart Agriculture  • Coastal Resilience

Green Growth Index 2020: Measuring performance in achieving SDG targets Denmark  • flagship-publications  • Caribbean  • Ecuador  • PNG
Report
Green Growth Index 2020: Measuring performance in achieving SDG targets

Denmark  • flagship-publications  • Caribbean  • Ecuador  • PNG  • Pacific  • Technical Report  • Republic of Korea  • Guyana  • Nepal  • Papua New Guinea  • Costa Rica  • Fiji  • Philippines  • Hungary  • India  • Rwanda  • Jordan  • Senegal  • Kiribati  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR  • Viet Nam  • Mongolia  • Cambodia  • Mozambique  • Saint Lucia  • Myanmar  • Ethiopia  • Peru  • Burkina Faso  • Tonga  • Morocco  • Uganda  • Indonesia  • México  • Cross Cutting  • Thailand  • Vanuatu

Achieving Green Growth and Climate Action Post-COVID-19 Caribbean  • Côte d’Ivoire  • Technical Report  • flagship-publications  • Cambodia
Report
Achieving Green Growth and Climate Action Post-COVID-19

Caribbean  • Côte d’Ivoire  • Technical Report  • flagship-publications  • Cambodia  • Mozambique  • Hungary  • Nepal  • Rwanda  • Colombia  • Senegal  • Fiji  • United Arab Emirates  • Jordan  • Viet Nam  • Kiribati  • Lao PDR  • Mongolia  • Guyana  • Morocco  • Burkina Faso  • Tonga  • Peru  • Ethiopia  • Green Cities  • Uganda  • Indonesia  • Forest (Sustainable) Landscapes  • México  • Sustainable Energy  • Thailand  • Cross Cutting  • Vanuatu

UAE National Air Emissions Inventory Project – Final Results United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting
Report
UAE National Air Emissions Inventory Project – Final Results

United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting

UAE Climate Risk Assessment & Adaptation Measures in Key Sectors United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting
Report
UAE Climate Risk Assessment & Adaptation Measures in Key Sectors

United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting

National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017-2050 United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting
Report
National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017-2050

United Arab Emirates  • Cross Cutting

Third Joint Donor Review of GGGI (2015) Paraguay  • Mozambique  • Papua New Guinea  • Hungary  • Colombia
Report
Third Joint Donor Review of GGGI (2015)

Paraguay  • Mozambique  • Papua New Guinea  • Hungary  • Colombia  • Nepal  • Costa Rica  • Fiji  • Philippines  • India  • Rwanda  • Jordan  • Senegal  • Kiribati  • United Arab Emirates  • Lao PDR  • Viet Nam  • Cambodia  • Mongolia  • Guyana  • Ethiopia  • Myanmar  • Qatar  • Peru  • Uganda  • Morocco  • Indonesia  • México  • Thailand  • Vanuatu  • Gender and Inclusive Development  • Climate Resilient and Green Growth  • Green Finance

Second Joint Donor Review (2013) Pacific  • Uzbekistan  • Paraguay  • Papua New Guinea  • Costa Rica
Report
Second Joint Donor Review (2013)

Pacific  • Uzbekistan  • Paraguay  • Papua New Guinea  • Costa Rica  • India  • Kiribati  • Mongolia  • Philippines  • Rwanda  • Cambodia  • United Arab Emirates  • Viet Nam  • Guyana  • Ethiopia  • Qatar  • Peru  • Indonesia  • México  • Thailand

GGGI In-Country Staff

Hyunjung Park

Program Integration and Operation Officer

Winnie Wong

Senior Officer, Green investment

Kirstin Morrison

Senior Green Growth Analyst

Ahmed Al Amra

UAE Country Representative

Maricor Muzones

Special Assignment UAE - Climate Adaptation Lead