Abu Dhabi Leads MENA with Subnational ETF Implementation under Paris Deal

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi (EAD) said Abu Dhabi is the first city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to start a local system to check greenhouse gas emissions. This system is called the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF). It is part of a global climate plan under the Paris Agreement. Last year, the UAE government started the national ETF through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). Now, Abu Dhabi is making a local version.

The Paris Agreement’s ETF helps countries measure and report their greenhouse gases. It also tracks if countries are reaching their climate goals, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These goals are promises to reduce harmful gases and prepare for climate change, based on each country’s needs.

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EAD is working on a local ETF for Abu Dhabi. This system will help the city see its progress on the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, which started in 2023. The local system will send its data to the national system regularly.

The new system will use a digital platform to collect information automatically. This makes it easier and reduces mistakes. EAD will check, report, and manage the system while making sure all the rules are followed.

The ETF will look at four main areas in Abu Dhabi: factories, farming, energy, and waste. These groups will need to report their greenhouse gas emissions to EAD.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said, “We started the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy last year, and we want to see how well we are doing. We must measure our emissions correctly to meet our goals. By 2030, we plan to cut greenhouse gases by 47 million tonnes compared to 2016. By 2027, we aim to lower emissions by 22% from 2016 levels.”

She also said that the ETF system is the first of its kind in the region. “EAD will collect data on emissions in Abu Dhabi and share it with the UAE’s national system. This will help us reach our country’s climate goals.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri explained that EAD will work with factories, farms, energy companies, and waste services to collect data. “We made a simple tool to help them send us their data. This will help the UAE track its progress in fighting climate change.”

She added, “Abu Dhabi takes climate change seriously. We all need to work together to solve this problem. Collecting correct data is a big step, and the ETF system will help us do that.”

Abu Dhabi is leading the way in the MENA region with this new system. It shows how cities can take action to fight climate change and protect the future.