EAD launches Abu Dhabi Environment Strategy 2008-2012

This strategy is considered a 'Roadmap to the Future', where EAD will aim to fulfill the environmental priority of Abu Dhabi Policy Agenda over the next five years.

The Strategy comes as a part of the wider vision of Abu Dhabi to have a Good Government-aligned and committed to improvement for the benefit of all.

The Abu Dhabi Environment Strategy 2008-2012 was developed through a wide consultation with the Agency's major stakeholders.

It sets a benchmark for monitoring changes over time, outlines the Emirate's environmental long term vision, mission and goals and provides a plan for taking action now and in the future.

It is a part of the Abu Dhabi Government's drive to achieve a safe and secure society, a sustainable economy and high performing government.

The Abu Dhabi Environment Strategy 2008-2012 has set two year and five year targets pertaining to 10 identified Priority Areas:
1. Environmental Sustainability
2. Water Resource Management
3. Air Quality
4. Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
5. Biodiversity Management
6. Environmental Awareness
7. Environment, Health and Safety Management System
8. Organizational Efficiency
9. Emergency Management
10. Environmental Information System

The launch, which was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi, was attended by H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of EAD; H.E. Mohammed Al Bowardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Managing Director of EAD as well as H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.

The launch was also witnessed by various other officials and stakeholders from the Emirate.

"Our Strategy is our roadmap to a future in which everyone will be able to enjoy the benefit of a clean, safe and healthy environment. Our strategy identifies our 10 priorities and will help us to modernize our Environment Agency as a regulator, an effective promoter of environmental awareness, a champion of the environment," said Mr. Al Bowardi, in his speech during the launch.

"Our challenge is that many still live an unsustainable lifestyle. They believe it is more convenient to postpone concern for environmental problems to a later date. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot wait for a later date. We need to be strategic and act today because our environment is under pressure from a number of different directions at once," Mr. Al Bowardi added.

"The generation that destroys the environment may not be the one that pays the price. It is the future generations that will confront the consequences. Achieving Sustainable Development in our Emirate will take patience, commitment and persistence", he added. "It has to become a conscious and deliberate pursuit to change our mindset. It will not happen overnight," he stressed.

Mr. Al Bowardi affirmed in his speech the commitment of EAD's Governing Board to achieving the desired outcomes listed in the Strategy. He thanked H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for witnessing the launch and for his enduring support.

He also thanked the team that worked hard to develop the strategy and to launch it.

Mr. Al Bowardi concluded his speech by quoting the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which he said reminded us about the need to take action, have patience, commitment and persistence.

"To us, in the UAE, protecting the environment is not just a slogan, but an important part of our history, heritage and way of life. We were and still do support the concept of living in harmony with nature".

EAD was established in 1996, with a vision to achieve a sustainable environment for a sustainable future.

Committed to its mission of protecting and conserving the environment for people's well being, EAD has crossed many milestones on its journey of excellence.

The development of a 'roadmap to the future' is just one of these milestones.