DUBAI, 17th May, 2020 (WAM) — The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment revealed a decrease in nitrogen oxides emissions from power generation by 20% in the UAE, according to a study conducted by the ministry in cooperation with the facilities concerned with power generation in the country by calculating the intensity of nitrogen oxides emissions generated. on power generation with the aim of establishing a baseline and monitoring the resulting decrease in NOx emission intensity from this sector.
The result of the study was based on the data received for the year 2020, which highlighted the decrease in nitrogen oxides emissions resulting from electricity generation when compared with the data recorded in 2015.
The announcement of the results of the study comes within the framework of the Year of Sustainability and within the UAE’s preparations to host the work of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) this year, and to contribute to reducing harmful emissions, especially resulting from energy generation activity.
The study also comes within the objectives of the “National Agenda for Air Quality 2031” launched by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in September last year after its approval by the Council of Ministers. The agenda serves as a general framework for leading and coordinating the efforts of federal and local government agencies and private sector institutions in effectively monitoring and managing air quality, and mitigating pollution, to ensure enhanced air quality and contribute to creating a safe and healthy environment and improving the quality of life in line with the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071.
The initiatives of the Executive Plan of the National Agenda for Air Quality 2031 include many initiatives, the most important of which is the continuous monitoring of emissions related to electricity generation, which resulted in a study of monitoring the volume of nitrogen oxides emissions resulting from power generation activities.
His Excellency Essa Al Hashemi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Reducing harmful emissions is one of the most important strategic directions of the UAE in order to fulfill its climate obligations and contribute to reducing the phenomenon of climate change globally. With the COP28 Conference of the Parties approaching in the UAE at the end of this year, the announcement of a decrease in nitrogen oxides emissions resulting from power generation activities reflects the UAE’s keenness and seriousness in presenting a practical model to confront climate challenges with concrete steps on the ground, which is also reflected in the implementation of strategic goals. Emirates for climate neutrality 2050.
His Excellency added: The UAE has taken practical steps to reduce emissions from power generation during the past years, most notably the operation of a number of stations generating electricity from renewable energy sources, such as the Noor solar power plant, the Mohammed bin Rashid renewable energy complex, the Barakah peaceful nuclear energy stations and other facilities. projects. The partial operation of these projects has contributed to the reduction of nitrogen oxides emissions resulting from power generation. In addition, many power plant networks have been upgraded, which has also contributed to reducing emissions.
The National Air Quality Agenda identified 4 strategic directives to deal with them to ensure achieving the state’s directions regarding air quality, including reducing levels of outdoor air pollution and the percentage of exposure to it, improving indoor air quality and reducing its risks to human health, reducing levels of exposure to ambient odors, and reducing noise levels and maintaining them within permissible limits. The National Air Quality Agenda is based on 3 strategic pillars: monitoring, mitigation, and management, and it includes 4 main axes, the first of which is related to “outdoor air quality.” The work directions identified by the agenda include 8 main work programs and 29 projects in a range of sectors including transportation, energy, and electricity generation. construction, and waste. The second axis is “Indoor Air Quality”, which includes 3 main work programs and 6 projects in the standards of building materials and materials used in household work and maintenance. The third axis, “Ambient Odors”, includes 4 work programs and 10 projects distributed over the waste management sector, waste water and the industrial sector in general. As for the fourth and final axis, it is concerned with “ambient noise” and includes 5 work programs and 16 projects in the transportation, building, construction and industrial sectors.
