Energy ministry launches UAE Carbon Atlas

The Ministry of Energy has launched the UAE Carbon Atlas to monitor sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) produced by sectors including energy, industry, agriculture, land use change and waste across the emirates.

Launched during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016, the initiative will generate reports on green gas emissions and statistical reports on index of average carbon dioxide (CO2) per capita. It will also highlight the UAE's initiatives and practices to reduce carbon dioxide emissions so as to maintain the UAE's leading position in tackling the climate change.

Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, said the project will be carried out in partnership with all relevant stakeholders as part of national efforts to deliver the UAE Vision 2021 and sustainable development.

''Phase I will focus on accurate collection of data from different sectors to measure green gas emissions and is expected to complete in the second quarter of the current year,'' he added.

According to the second UAE Greenhouse Gas inventory released by Ministry of Energy, the power generation and water desalination sector has emerged as the largest emitter, accounting for 35% of the UAE's total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in 2014.

''Industry accounted for 16% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, being the second largest emitter, followed by transport at 15%,'' said Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy, Mattar Hamed Al Neyadi.

He noted that the results of the 2014 Inventory of UAE Greenhouse Gas Emissions will be used in drawing up a strategy to reduce emissions and the UAE's carbon footprint.

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