DUBAI, UAE, 4 February 2024: Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister, Climate Change and Environment, said that extending the ‘Year of Sustainability’ into 2024, as announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE, reflects the nation’s commitment to embedding sustainability across all sectors and instil these practices in the behaviour of society and future generations, 

The goal, H.E. Al Dahak said, is to build on the UAE’s achievements in this field and increase its contribution to confronting global climate challenges and protecting the planet. This initiative, she added, builds on the success of COP28 and the historic UAE Consensus. 

H.E. Dr Al Dahak said that H.H. Sheikh Mohammed’’s statement is a powerful incentive for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which led national efforts for COP28, to continue working with relevant authorities and engaging the community towards achieving Net Zero 2050. On the 27th National Environment Day, held under the theme, “Together for a Sustainable Local Product”, H.E. Dr Al Dahak also urged collaboration among various stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and the community to continue to protect the environment and conserve our resources. Furthermore, she also underlined the importance of supporting local products and raising awareness about transforming our food systems to become more sustainable, resilient, and locally sourced. 

H.E. Dr Al Dahak said on National Environment Day the UAE renews its commitment to confronting the challenges facing the planet and reaffirms its determination to build on the legacy and environmental stewardship of the founding father, the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.  In addition, she said, achieving a sustainable food supply requires innovation, collaboration, and dialogue with crop and livestock farmers, as well as fisheries, are vital.  The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, she said, is helping drive these conversations and is supporting individuals spearheading the development and sustainability of the nation’s local produce. 

H.E. Dr Al Dahak praised the work of these groups and said: “On National Environment Day, let’s enhance collaboration and engage in meaningful dialogues with farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen, who are the backbone of the security of food we have established in the UAE. We must eliminate obstacles, enabling them to contribute effectively to boosting our local products. Every choice influences our environment from the food we consume to the products we purchase and the water we use. While our food systems address humanity’s fundamental needs, they also contribute to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.” 

H.E. Dr Al Dahak said this year’s National Environment Day builds on the success of COP28, held in the UAE last year, where food systems sat at the heart of negotiations and climate progress. During COP28,  she said, over 159 Heads of State and Government, representing a combined population of over 6.2 billion people, endorsed the ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action’. The Declaration, she said, recognises the potential of agriculture and food systems to drive innovative responses to climate change and ensure safe, sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food for all. 

She said that the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy was launched prior to the start of COP28. She added that it set out a plan for how the country will build on the momentum created by its Third Update to the Second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), moving from 40% emission reduction by 2030 to Net Zero by 2050.