Fahad Mohammad Hareb, Director of the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water's Air Quality Department, has said that country's Atmospheric Particulate Matter, also known as particulate matter, PM, or particulates, PM 2,5 levels as per the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA), annual study via satellite did not exceed an annual concentration of 30mg per m3 comparable to the World Health Organisation guidelines.

The WHO's Regional Strategy for Health and Environment 2014-2019 for the Eastern Mediterranean noted that the UAE has very low mortality resulting from environmental consequences compared to other countries in the region. The results confirm that the country has undertaken significant efforts to improve the ambient air quality as an important component associated with quality of life. It also highlights the UAE National Agenda which will advances UAE Vision 2021's goal of ensuring high quality of life for its citizens and residents in a sustainable environment.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Water, Hareb said that air quality is one of the leading priorities under the UAE's National Agenda because it is associated directly with human health, the environment and its impact on the economy. The country attaches great importance to improving air quality by achieving 90% of the WHO Air Quality guidelines as a target by 2021. Therefore, efforts have been taken to properly monitor and regulate emission levels throughout the UAE at federal and local levels.

He added, "We continue to strengthen both human and financial capacities in the field of monitoring and controlling through a large network of stations. There are currently 46 air quality monitoring stations in addition to a range of dust monitoring stations in crusher and quarry sites and cement factories. The UAE has directed special attention towards the development of legislative frameworks necessary to reduce pollutants and emissions in order to improve air quality."

The minister said that the UAE's air quality is exposed to many natural and manmade pressures as a result of development factors such as the increase in the number of industrial facilities, the rise in energy and water consumption, and growth in the number of vehicles due to the population's growth and demand. Electricity consumption for air-conditioning consumes over 51% of a buildings annual electricity consumption, needed to ensure comfortable living standards within the region, but even though consumption levels are over 90%, the fuel for the production of this energy is natural gas, the cleanest and most efficient form of producing electricity from a carbon based fuel.

Vehicle exhaust emissions are the next biggest contributor to the air emissions in the UAE followed by heavy manufacturing industries. While all measures are being undertaken by authorities to reduce emissions and improve air quality, it must be noted that the natural environment in the region is also a big contributor to the air quality, from naturally airborne dust particles to major sand storms, as well as high humidity and naturally emitted minerals from coastal areas.

In the context of promoting environmental sustainability, Hareb said that the Ministry is implementing all measures to transform the national economy into a low-carbon and green economy. It has accordingly launched a series of initiatives aimed at reducing pollutant concentrations, including the National Strategy for Green Development, promoting broader public transport, use of cleaner fuels such as unleaded gasoline, low-sulphur or green diesel and natural gas as an alternative fuel for vehicles, and the use of renewable and nuclear energy for generating electricity.

In addition, it promotes Green Building Standards and green applications in government buildings such as district cooling technology which cuts down electricity usage by approximately 75 per cent while raising the efficiency of the air-conditioning system to improve performance and consequently reduce the environmental footprint. In cooperation with the federal and local authorities, the Ministry is encouraging all sectors to adopt initiatives and implement programmes to improve air quality and reduce emissions to secure a healthy environment and reduce the rate of pollution.

He also added that the UAE is exerting great effort in monitoring ambient air quality, noting that data provided by monitoring stations on ambient air quality measure all the criteria required to calculate the air quality index as per the National Agenda. Air Quality National limits and permissible levels have all been previously set in accordance with the Council of Ministers Decree No. 12 for 2006 concerning air pollution, and Hareb said, "Currently, we are working on a study to develop a national standard for PM 2,5."

In line with its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of ambient air, the Ministry recently signed an agreement with seven governmental agencies for the launch of the UAE Air Quality Network. Hareb revealed that the Ministry has signed a contract with Masdar Institute of Science and Technology to study the relationship between fine particles, in addition to air quality monitoring via satellite.

Another project for reducing emissions from the transport sector is the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel. Technical regulations, standards and guides for vehicle conversion to natural gas were planned and developed, with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company converting around 2,900 buses and taxis in Abu Dhabi and opening 16 refuelling stations. Additionally, Emirates Transport has converted over 1,600 taxis to operate on natural gas, and work is currently under way to introduce hybrid vehicles as well as plug-in electric vehicles to the UAE market to greatly reduce traffic emissions within city streets.

Hareb also highlighted that with regards to improving the quality of fuel used in the transport sector, the Council of Ministers had issued a decision in 2013 to update product specifications related to diesel to reduce the percentage of sulphur from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm or below, this is now in effect, and is required that all diesel fuel used in the country conforms to this standard. This will greatly contribute to the reduction of emissions of sulphur dioxide from diesel engines and thereby improve the air quality. The UAE is the Middle East's first country to support this type of diesel.
Source: WAM