Against the backdrop of ongoing U.N. climate talks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi has outlined comprehensive strategies to significantly cut harmful emissions from traffic, with a focus on enhancing air quality in the UAE capital.
During the ‘Cleaner Air in Abu Dhabi’ panel discussion at the UAE Pavilion at COP28, Meera Harara, an air quality expert at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), revealed that transportation in Abu Dhabi contributes to about 34% of nitrogen oxide emissions and approximately 17% of particulate matter, with taxis and buses being notable contributors.
Harara emphasized the agency’s commitment to exploring technologies to deepen their understanding of environmental conditions. The EAD has been actively involved in monitoring projects, seeking effective solutions to comprehend and address environmental quality issues.
A report from the EAD highlighted the potential for a 90% reduction in harmful emissions in Abu Dhabi by updating public transport vehicles.
As part of a new air quality improvement plan, the EAD aims to identify high smog areas and mitigate harmful exposure to pollutants. This plan will generate detailed air quality maps annually for the entire emirate, pinpointing areas with elevated pollution levels.
Abu Dhabi’s air quality is monitored by a network of 22 air monitors, including 20 stationary and two mobile devices, strategically placed across the city.
Sean Maguire, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Clean Air Fund, underscored the significance of widespread electric vehicle adoption as a long-term strategy to combat pollution. While acknowledging the challenges of electrifying the entire vehicle fleet, he expressed optimism, citing the substantial sales of 4.4 million plug-in electric vehicles in China last year. Maguire believes this trend represents a pivotal step towards effective action against air pollution, despite the current dominance of internal combustion engine vehicles on global roads.
