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When it was done                                                                           Module

                   The SoE is part of the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, which was launched by the   1
                   UAE Government in 2002 at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South
                   Africa.  The IEA process in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was started in 2006 and the report was launched

                   in March 2007.
                                                                                                                   Abu Dhabi, UAE

                   Members of assessment team

                   Abu Dhabi’s members of the assessment team came from the National Environment Council Secretariat
                   and from a number of ministries. More than 50 agencies and institutions contributed to the report.

                   Major environmental themes assessedt        Key environmental issues assessed
                       ? Atmosphere                                ?   Air pollution increasing
                       ?  Biodiversity                             ?   Many species threatened

                       ?  Land use                                 ?   Land use change
                       ?  Marine resources                         ?   Over fishing
                       ?  Water                                    ?   Unsustainable water consumption
                       ?  Waste                                    ?   Hazardous waste untreated
                       ?  Cultural heritage                        ?   Strain on heritage sites




                                                         Conclusions

                   The (SoE) Report for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi gave an overall view of the key issues and way forward
                   for environmental themes on air, biodiversity, cultural heritage, land, marine, waste and water. It also
                   describes the socio-economic pressures and environmental management responses through legislative
                   and outreach efforts.  The Key findings of the report are the following:

                      ?  The oil and gas industry is the main source of air pollution, followed by the power and transportation
                      sectors. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are the air pollutants causing the
                      most concern locally. All three substances pose a health threat as excessive exposure may lead to
                      respiratory complaints and lung disease.  Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi has taken initiatives to
                      control and alleviate pollutants impact.

                      ?  A number of species including the more spectacular animal species that formerly existed in the
                      Emirate are now almost certainly extinct in their natural environment, largely as a result of hunting.
                      Other species are either endangered or dwindled in numbers.  Currently, EAD is managing three
                      officially designated protected areas and three additional protected areas have been proposed.  The
                      report stressed the need to a biodiversity conservation strategy and action plan and conservation
                      and monitoring programmes.





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