Three year partnership with EWS-WWF to help carry out initiative's second phase

Building on the research of the first phase of the Ecological Footprint Initiative, this second phase aims to facilitate the design of science-based policies and standards to help reduce the UAE's per capita ecological footprint through a two track process: the development of energy efficiency standards for residential lighting in the UAE, and a socio-economic assessment of the policies outlined in the ecological footprint scenario model, targeting the energy and water sector of the UAE.

Nick Carter, Director General at RSB, said, "We are pleased to be supporting EWS-WWF in its work on the Ecological Footprint Initiative: a unique public-private sector partnership that seeks to reduce the Ecological Footprint of the UAE. By working on other initiatives in Abu Dhabi, such as Waterwise and Powerwise, we understand it is crucial to look at energy and water conservation as a vehicle to reduce carbon emissions and we believe the Ecological Footprint Initiative will have a lasting impact in building a sustainable future for the UAE."

The Initiative pools experts in a unique public-private partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Water, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), and the Global Footprint Network. The Initiative is also governed by a federal steering committee, chaired by HE Dr Rashid Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water.

Ida Tillisch, Acting Director General at EWS-WWF, said, "By trying to understand the costs, benefits and consequences beyond a reduction in carbon, the Initiative aims to help decision makers prioritize policies that reduce the country's carbon footprint and benefit the economy. We are very grateful for the Bureau's support, which will now enable us to move forward with this important work to model the socio-economic and environmental implications of different policies to reduce the UAE's footprint."

The second phase of the Ecological Footprint Initiative focuses on two main tracks:
Track one will focus on developing energy efficiency standards for lighting, as well as developing a comprehensive policy around the standard in close association with Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).

Track two will focus on conducting a socio-economic assessment of the policies included in the ecological footprint scenario model created in the initiative's first phase. This assessment will look at the social and economic impacts of energy and water reduction policies to help inform decision makers.

The Initiative will also be reviewing and verifying the UAE's Ecological Footprint accounts in advance of the biennial publication of the Living Planet Report.