The Emirates News Agency reported that the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and the Global Green Growth Institute signed a memorandum of understanding on October 18, 2023 to enhance green growth efforts in the UAE. Ahmed Baharoon, executive director of environmental information, science and outreach management at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, signed on behalf of Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri. Ahmed Al Amra represented the Global Green Growth Institute at the signing.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on projects and programmes that support relevant national plans and strategies in the UAE and Abu Dhabi, WAM reported. It addresses the circular economy through sustainable use of resources based on reuse and renewal of production. The partnership seeks to advance national ambitions that strengthen the UAE’s global agreements and commitments.
The signing coincided with the start of implementation of Abu Dhabi’s climate change strategy, according to the Emirates News Agency. The strategy commits the emirate to work with main partners to achieve effective climate action at various levels. It aligns with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
The UAE submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution in 2024 that sets a 47 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 from 2019 levels, a government filing with the United Nations shows. The absolute emissions level is placed at 103.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has maintained an active collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute under the initial memorandum.
The UAE ranked first among Arab countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, according to a Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy assessment. The country scored 94.99 percent in wastewater treatment and ranked first in the region for protection of marine key biodiversity areas. Official figures show the nation’s installed renewable energy capacity grew by 117 percent between 2022 and 2025.
The UAE contributed $3 million to Global Green Growth Institute projects in 2022 and 2023, a statement from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment noted. The country had provided $4.5 million for the institute’s projects in the 2019-2021 period. The Global Green Growth Institute has maintained a UAE program based in Abu Dhabi with a presence in Dubai since the country became a founding member in 2011.
