Today, the UAE celebrates the 23rd National Environment Day under the new theme ‘Nature-based Solutions’. The past three National Environment Days were dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of sustainable consumption and production practices in line with the objective of the UAE Vision 2021 to ensure sustainability across all spheres and sectors.
The 2020 anniversary marks a new stage of environmental action that calls for a greater reliance on nature-based solutions. On this occasion, I extend my deepest gratitude to the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage of National Environment Day, and his continued support of environmental protection and sustainable development in the UAE.
I also thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Federal Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates. Their special interest in the country’s environmental conservation endeavors has been instrumental to our achievements at home and further afield.
On the 23rd National Environment Day, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is proud to announce the launch of the second edition of the UAE State of the Environment Report that can be viewed on its website. Following a thorough research methodology, the document provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the environment in our country, as well as the existing and projected environmental pressures and challenges. It also highlights the efforts of the UAE government to address these challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth in line with the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Green Agenda 2030, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our country has always considered environmental protection a crucial priority. The founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, realized early on the imperative need to preserve our natural resources for future generations. Inspired by the spartan lifestyle and daily practices of our ancestors, Sheikh Zayed’s approach laid the foundation for the country’s sustainable development journey. Owing to the directives of the UAE’s visionary leadership, this approach has now been bolstered by a host of integrated policies that aim to leverage smart and innovative technologies and solutions to strike a balance between economic growth and the responsible use of natural resources.
These policies include the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 that guides the country’s energy diversification efforts to achieve clean energy targets of 27 percent by 2021 and 50 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, the UAE Green Growth Strategy focuses on transforming our national economy into a low-carbon green economy through adopting a sustainable approach to architecture and transport, and enhancing the efficiency of resource consumption, especially energy and water. In addition, raising public awareness of the risks associated with unsustainable production and consumption, and encouraging members of the community to embrace smart consumption practices are also an integral part of reducing the country’s ecological footprint.
In the UAE, we believe that sustainable production and consumption are national responsibilities for individuals and entities alike. The consumer society is increasingly gaining importance in this regard, as it dictates production trends and influences producer responsibility. Ultimately, consumption is an individual choice that depends on a combination of factors, such as desire – often influenced by advertising – as well as purchasing power and awareness. As for government authorities, we continue to work towards reducing the negative effects of mindless production and irresponsible consumption patterns, and transforming them into sustainable ones in line with the UAE Vision 2021.
I urge the public to view our natural resources as a national heritage that we enjoy today and will later pass on to our children. We are confident that the collaboration between government and civil society will go a long way in promoting sustainable production and consumption practices.