United Arab Emirates

New or Updated NDC

Analysis of Updated NDC

Timeframe

2019 – 2030

Relevant context

Prior to hosting COP28 this year, the UAE committed to a higher GHG emissions reduction target in this third update of its second NDC. The UAE is highly dependent on fossil fuel production and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The newly revised target is 40% emissions reduction by 2030 compared to 31% emissions reduction by 2030 as indicated in the 2022 updated second NDC, and these commitments are “absolute, unconditional, [and] economy-wide.”

Process for developing NDC

This updated NDC was developed along with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and the Long-Term Strategy (LTS). The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment coordinated the formulation of this updated NDC and the two strategies by utilizing a “rigorous, inclusive and consultative process with relevant domestic stakeholders.” The stakeholders comprised government representatives from the federal, emirate, city and municipality levels (whole-government approach); key private sector entities; local NGOs; and key social and vulnerable groups (e.g., representatives of women, youth, and “people of determination”). The latter group comprised people with disabilities and people with special needs.

A National Dialogue for Climate Ambition (NDCA) platform was set up to facilitate cross-sector climate collaboration—specifically in the manufacturing, cement, waste, transport, and energy sectors. The relevant stakeholders had monthly discussions on sectoral requirements, priorities, and ways forward to accelerate decarbonisation. The UAE in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) established the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA). The UACA’s role is to facilitate the public and private actors in setting credible and transparent 2030 targets in line with the UAE’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050. After the stakeholder engagement process, this updated NDC was endorsed by the UAE cabinet.

The formulation of this NDC also took into account social benefits (such as job creation) and environmental benefits (included as part of adaptation), as well as the needs of vulnerable populations (e.g., children, youth, women and “people of determination”). Apart from country-wide targets, sectoral mitigation targets and pathways were developed for priority sectors (i.e., power and water generation, heavy industry, transport, waste, buildings, and agriculture sectors). These targets are in coherence with the national and sectoral plans, measures and policy frameworks. The UAE will work on aligning this NDC’s targets, policies and actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Description of Monitoring and/or Implementation Mechanism

The UAE developed an implementation roadmap with stakeholder engagement from key actors such as federal and emirate level government entities, non-state actors, civil society, and the international community. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which will be available in 2024, will provide detailed information on the UAE’s adaptation ambitions as well as an updated climate risk assessment and evaluations on loss and damage.

A comprehensive measurement, reporting and verification-transparency (MRV-Transparency) system is currently being developed. This system will focus on mitigation targets, namely relevant GHG and air quality pollutants, and will be aligned to the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050. It will include key components such as: (i) target tracking and action/policy/measure analysis for mitigation measures and policies, (ii) environmental observations, trends and scenarios, (iii) impacts, vulnerabilities and risks, (iv) wider impacts of actions, and (v) support and finance. The UAE will only integrate adaptation targets into this MRV system in the future.

Summary of gender reference

Gender inclusivity and gender equality are underscored in this NDC. These principles are integrated into UAE’s climate-related activities and the examples provided are: (i) a strong representation of women in the UAE climate and energy community (e.g., the UAE’s Special Envoy of Climate Change), and (ii) a platform for women in sustainability, environment and renewable energy (WiSER). The objective of WiSER is to “educate, engage and empower women globally to be enablers of sustainability and innovation.”

Gender equality will be promoted at the federal level through the 2026 UAE Gender Balance Strategy. This strategy will also guide the UAE in its commitment to policy and legislative reform, programs, partnerships (international and the private sector), and international engagements in the lead-up to COP28. In the pipeline, the UAE will consider the incorporation of aspects such as gender impact analysis for climate policies, gender-responsive climate finance, sex-disaggregated climate data, and quotas for UNFCCC delegations.

One of the key priorities in the UAE’s climate agenda is “protecting and enabling the most vulnerable groups of society.” Women are included in these vulnerable groups along with youth, elderly, and “people of determination.” It is explicitly stated that the goal of the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NCCAP) 2019 is “minimizing risks and advancing the nation’s adaptive capacity, particularly among vulnerable groups.” At the same time, the UAE also considers these vulnerable groups as “enablers” to attaining its climate goals. These vulnerable groups are “actively” engaged by the UAE, and their inputs are taken into consideration when developing climate-related strategies and policies. Their needs were also taken into account when the UAE developed its disaster response plans. Other measures implemented include: facilitating partnership between public health and climate authorities, and equipping healthcare workers with the necessary skills to deal with climate change-related health risks among vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant women, elderly and those at high risk).

Updated Second Nationally Determined Contribution of the United Arab Emirates

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	Yes
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation Adaptation
Type of support	Conditional
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	Yes
Monitoring and/or implementation	Implementation
Reference to women/gender	Yes
Gender Tags	GS
Context of gender reference	Adaptation Mitigation

Analysis of Original NDC

Timeframe

Now until 2030

Relevant context

Highly dependent on fossil fuel production and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Process for developing NDC

No mention of process for developing NDC.

Description of Monitoring and/or Implementation Mechanism

Monitoring, reporting and verification will proceed as per the arrangements agreed at COP 16 in Cancun and COP 17 in Durban.

United Arab Emirates NDC

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	Yes
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation
Type of support	Unconditional
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	No
Monitoring and/or implementation	Monitoring Implementation
Reference to women/gender	No

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Related Resources

United Arab Emirates Submission: Information on the progress, challenges, gaps and priorities in implementing the gender action plan (GAP) and future work to be undertaken on gender and climate change

UNFCCC Submission

Download

Year

2024

Country

United Arab Emirates

Citation

United Arab Emirates. (2024). Information on the progress, challenges, gaps and priorities in implementing the gender action plan (GAP) and future work to be undertaken on gender and climate change Mandate: Decision 15/CP.28, para. 2. UNFCCC Submission.