In line with its efforts to manage the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s air quality, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) organized on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, an Air Quality Stakeholders Workshop. Stakeholders in the Emirate updated each other on the efforts being undertaken in regards to management of air quality.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Jaber Al Jaberi, Director of EAD’s Environmental Policy Sector and attended by officials from relevant organisations in the Emirate.
“The UAE has one of the highest per capita CO2 emission rates in the world. Throughout most of the Emirate’s air, there is a relatively high, naturally occurring level of particulate matter, which exceeds air quality guidelines. The oil and gas industry is the main source of this air pollution, followed by the power and transportation sectors. Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Particulate matter (PM10) are the air pollutants causing us the most concern,” said Dr. Jaber in his opening speech during the workshop.
In a bid to reduce harmful air emissions and ensure better air quality, EAD had initiated an Air Quality Monitoring and Management Study for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Air Quality is considered one of EAD’s priorities in its five-year strategy, which was adopted by Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Climate Change is another priority for EAD so that it assists the UAE in meeting its obligations to the Kyoto Protocol.
Dr. Jaber added that EAD has outsourced its Air Quality management activities for the period 2008 – 2012 to the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). The scope of work of this agreement will focus on implementing the priorities for noise and air quality management, where a comprehensive survey of noise levels in the Emirate will be conducted to deliver a Strategic Noise Map for Abu Dhabi.
NILU will also be responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of air and noise quality monitoring network currently operated by EAD. A source emissions inventory including point, area and line sources will be prepared in addition to an assessment of the compliance of industries and areas with the relevant standards and guidelines. NILU will also help in developing a strategy to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, as well as develop and determine sector specific emission limits for different sectors including power sector and transportation.
During the workshop, EAD highlighted its strategy to control and improve the quality of ambient air in Abu Dhabi was highlighted in addition to levels of air quality in the Emirate. Attendees openly discussed possible areas of cooperation and ways to obtain a common understanding of the needs and requirements of the stakeholders in air quality aspects. They also discussed means of enhancing communication between stakeholders and EAD in processes and decisions related to future developments.
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