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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.

IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 33