A report to identify and assess the potential magnitude of the physical impacts associated with climate change on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was released today by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

The 3-volume report, entitled Climate Change and the UAE: Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation in the UAE, focuses on the most vulnerable sectors: the UAE’s coastal zones and Abu Dhabi Emirate’s water resources and dryland ecosystems. This study was based on the international model and guidelines set for scenarios.

“The UAE is seriously concerned about climate change on many levels. We are a country that already faces extreme climatic conditions and has precious natural resources, so long-term variations in temperature and precipitation will produce adverse impacts,” said HE Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD at the press conference to release the study.

“To address this concern, we commissioned a study on the potential impacts on the UAE associated with climate change. The study also sets strategic recommendations that address the needed adjustments in policies, institutions and public attitudes,” he added.

Part 1 of the report focuses on the impacts, vulnerability & adaptation for coastal zones, which include an analysis of sea level rise on coastal zones throughout the UAE.

Part II deals with the vulnerability and adaptation to climate change on water resources, and contains the results of analysis of water supply and demand in the face of climate change in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Part III deals with the impacts, vulnerability & adaptation for dryland ecosystems, and presents the results of the qualitative assessment of the impacts from increased variability in rainfall and temperature regimes on dryland ecosystems in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

EAD has shared a copy of this study, which was conducted in cooperation with the Stockholm Environment Institute in the United States, with the Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, to be published on their website. Copies of the study were also distributed to several country and party representatives, including the European Union, United States and Switzerland, during the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15).

In 2009, EAD also drafted a Climate Change Policy for Abu Dhabi Emirate, in accordance with the UNFCC requirements, and discussed it with relevant stakeholders on the national level. EAD is currently coordinating with the Ministry of Environment and Water to develop a Climate Change Policy for UAE.

Moreover, for the past 3 years, EAD has intensified its efforts to raise awareness on climate change especially with the younger generations, through its Annual Environment Competition in Abu Dhabi Emirate schools and its publications, including the most recent one entitled Climate Change: Abu Dhabi Children’s Perspective.

It is worth mentioning that, developed country Parties to the United Framework Convention on Climate Change are committed to provide financial resources and transfer environmentally sound technologies to developing country Parties to adapt to adverse effects of climate change and the impact of response measures. In addition developed countries have legal obligations towards all developing countries Parties, including the UAE, to provide material support and technical assistance for capacity-building to counter the effects of climate change referred to by this study.

Impact of Climate Change on UAE


Coastal Zones
1. Sabkhat areas will likely experience inland migration.
2. Much of the UAE’s mangrove forest area will be adversely impacted.
3. Sea grass productivity will diminish.
4. Coral reefs will likely experience greater bleaching frequency.
5. Fishery habitats will be degraded.

Abu Dhabi Water Resources
1. Current patterns of water use are unsustainable.
2. Irrigated agriculture policy needs strategic reconsideration; ‘Greening the desert’ programs and agricultural, forestry, and plantation irrigated areas make up more than 80% of the total annual water use.
3. Climate change will likely be a marginal affect on future water supply/demand; Even though average annual precipitation in Abu Dhabi has reached its lowest recorded levels during the last decade, future climate change is likely to have little impact on future water supplies compared to the effect of water demand.
4. Reducing future water demand represents a strategic priority; without demand management strategies in place, the Abu Dhabi Emirate will face future water deficits that would need to be offset by large new supplies of water.


Dryland Ecosystems

1. Ecosystem displacement and/or disappearance.
2. Reaching a “tipping point” with subsequent ecosystem collapse.
3. Reduced biodiversity of flora and fauna.
4. Increased level of aridity and corresponding reductions in soil moisture.
5. Natural and managed ecosystems in mountains and Wadis are not drought-resistant; and are at risk as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change.