In 2017, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) launched an initiative to enhance air quality through the National Air Emissions Monitoring Project, which aims to develop the country’s first national-level inventory of air pollutants, building on existing local-level inventories from 2018. GGGI provided technical assistance to MOCCAE in developing the air pollutants emissions inventory covering all seven emirates (local government units).  

While the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have achieved considerable progress in building their own local inventories, the other emirates are lagging behind due to lack of technical capacity. Moreover, a difference in methodologies used by Abu Dhabi and Dubai calls for a more unified approach on air quality monitoring across the country. To address this problem, GGGI worked with MOCCAE for the Phase 1 of the project in 2018, which involved finalizing a unified inventory methodology for all seven emirates. In Phase 2, GGGI provided technical assistance in building the air pollutants emissions inventory covering all seven emirates (local governments). GGGI led the development of the inventory by managing the overall project activities, performing analytical work, leading the delivery of outputs, supporting data collection and processing, facilitating stakeholder engagement and communication, and doing quality checks of the technical deliverables from consultants. The project also involved the preparatory work for the development of the Air Quality Strategy, a federal policy document that will outline the UAE’s strategic priorities in tackling air pollution.  

The project objectives are to i.) track the sources and volume of key pollutants to guide policy making on air quality monitoring and management and ii.) lay the groundwork for developing the UAE National Air Quality Strategy. 

The project aligns with IO1. Strengthened national, sub-national and local green growth planning, financing and institutional frameworks. 

Impact: Improved air quality and environmental health in the UAE 

Outcome: Policy making on air quality in the UAE better informed by robust evidence and stakeholder input 

Project Outputs completed in 2019:  

 i. Green Growth Policies: 

Policy Assignments: The Federal Air Emissions Inventory Report was submitted to the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). The report aims to track the sources and volume of major air pollutants to inform future policies on air quality monitoring and management. This is the first national-level inventory that adopts a unified methodology for all seven emirates (local government units), drawing from international practices and extensive stakeholder consultation on data collection and validation.   

ii. Green Investments:N/A

iii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Products:  

Total of 2 capacity building activities: 

1. Emissions Inventory Tool Training: aimed to educate users about inventory compilation files and tools through introductory sessions on air emission inventories and key category analysis. It also entailed practical working sessions with MOCCAE staff working directly on compilation files to cover different functionalities.  

1. Stakeholder Workshop on Air Emissions Inventory: This event convened various entities from the public and private sector to share the results of the inventory and obtain feedback from the audience regarding the robustness of the findings and the quality of data used. 

Project Manager: Chiden Oseo Balmes 

Number of staff provided:  HyoYoul Kim, Mohammed Angawi, Hyun Seung Lee, Chetan Shrestha