ABU DHABI: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), has become the first environmental regulatory body in the Middle East to receive the Carbon Neutral Now Certification from a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)-accredited independent party, Applus+ from Spain.
The Carbon Neutral Now Certification is awarded to organisations that demonstrate their commitment to offsetting their Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions through onsite, offsite or third-party projects. The Agency provided proof that its 2020-2022 GHG emissions were offset as per the GHG Protocol Standards and in line with global efforts to tackle climate change mitigation through reduced emissions and was awarded the certification.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, on the occasion, said: ‘As per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, the results of climate change are clearly visible across the globe. Mitigating these adverse impacts requires a concerted effort to restrict the global temp
erature rise to 1.5 °C or a maximum of 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving the Carbon Neutral Now certification is a testament to our support of global efforts to transition towards cleaner technologies and adoption of the best environmental methods to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.’
She added: ‘We voluntarily offset our headquarters’ GHG emissions from 2020 to 2022 by 4355 tonnes of CO2e, which has made us carbon neutral. The certification demonstrates our organisational sensitivity towards climate change mitigation measures and the promotion of cleaner and greener methods. We plan to expand our carbon neutral efforts by exploring various options such as the reduction and offsetting of emissions through our mangrove restoration projects, the use of solar power, using electric vehicles for commuting and site inspection, and via the purchase of environmental commodities and the establishment of green procurement systems.’
She elaborated: ‘On a larger scale, this step will help us to achieve
the UAE Net Zero by 2050 target and contribute to the nation’s collective carbon neutrality. We are also in the process of setting GHG emissions targets for certain sectors in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to help to reduce the UAE’s overall emissions as per the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy.’
Source: Emirates News Agency