Enhancing

Air Quality
in Abu Dhabi
2014

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

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HEALTH AUTHORITY - ABU DHABI

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Annual Policy Brief

ABOUT THIS POLICY BRIEF

This policy brief is published annually by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the Health
Authority - Abu Dhabi with the purpose of exchanging information and ideas about current and future public
policies to facilitate sustainable management of air quality in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
It is available for download in PDF format from the Publications section at www.ead.ae
For inquiries or feedback, contact EADs customer relations department at customerservice@ead.ae
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ABU DHABI (EAD) 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this brochure may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or
storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holders. Application
for the copyright holders written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to
the publisher, in accordance with the international copyright Act 1956 and the UAE federal law no. (7) of 2002,
concerning copyrights and neighboring rights, any person acting in contravention of this will be liable to criminal
prosecution and civil claims for damages.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Xavier Eichaker
Hanne & Jens Eriksens
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - ABU DHABI
Call us: +971 2 4454777
E-mail us: customerservice@ead.ae
Know more about us: www.ead.ae
HEALTH AUTHORITY - ABU DHABI
Corporate Communications Department
P.O. Box 5674
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
E-mail us: ahzaabi@haad.ae
Call us: +971 2 4193 619
Know more about us: www.haad.ae

Corniche-Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABIS VISION FOR

AIR QUALITY IN 2030
Clean Air contributing to safe and healthy living conditions.

Executive Summary

Air quality management

to protect public health
and the environment
Good air quality is essential for the health and wellbeing
of the population in Abu Dhabi and an intrinsic part of
what makes Abu Dhabi a great place to live and work. It
is therefore crucial for Abu Dhabis sustained growth and
development to pursue economic development while
maintaining good air quality standards.
Abu Dhabis air quality is currently within federal
standards for most pollutants. Abu Dhabis main concerns
with ambient air quality pertain to high concentrations of
particulate matter and ground level ozone, which exceed
federal limits. Particulate matter results from natural
sources, like mineral dust and salt, and from man-made
sources, like transportation, industry, power and water
production, construction and demolition activities.
Ground level ozone is formed in the atmosphere through
photochemical reactions of precursor air pollutants
(nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic
compounds) that are largely originated from the
incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in transportation,
industry and other sectors.

Al Maqtaa Fort and Umm Al-Nar Industrial Area, Abu Dhabi

WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THIS BRIEF

1) Laying out the challenges
Balancing ambient air quality with economic development
Solving the indoor air quality puzzle
Coordinating action across sectors for effective air quality management

2)

Laying out the opportunities

Ambient air quality measures to protect public health and the environment
Indoor air quality measures to enhance public health
Streamlining coordination to deliver Abu Dhabis air quality strategy

Abu Dhabi is in a unique position to support the long term

sustainability of its economy, society and environment
by adopting a green growth strategy. Abu Dhabis rapid
population and economic growth and industrialization
result in increasing stress on air quality. However, Abu
Dhabi has access to knowledge, information and capital
to develop the required human capacity, infrastructure
and systems to better manage pollution and decouple
it from growth. Abu Dhabi is incorporating air quality
consideration in its strategies for high emitting sectors.
The power and water production sector is looking at
demand side management measures and shifting to clean
fuels. The energy production and distribution sector
is introducing Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) and
expanding the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in
Abu Dhabis market.The transportation sector is adopting
public transportation and vehicle emission standards.
It is a priority to continue managing air quality to
enhance Abu Dhabis competitiveness as an attractive
place for resident families, workers, businesses and
inward investment. An effective air quality management

system should include a reliable and comprehensive air

quality monitoring network, to follow air quality status
in real time across the Emirate, and in particular within
population centres. A reliable air quality monitoring
network also enables verification of compliance with
federal limits on air pollution. Air quality management
areas should be established in locations that are noncompliant with legislation or that risk becoming noncompliant in the future. Targeted air pollution control
measures should be deployed in air quality management
areas to bring air quality back to standards defined by law.
A regularly updated air pollutants emissions inventory
improves understanding on the relative contributions
from various sources of pollution. Enhanced air pollutant
dispersion modelling facilitates the evaluation of impacts
of air pollutant mitigation measures on air quality.
Indoor air quality is also an issue that deserves attention
in Abu Dhabi due to the long periods of time spent in air
tight indoor environments.
There are five complementary approaches to reduce
indoor air pollution:
1) Source control is often the most effective and reliable
approach and includes for example the regulation of
emissions from construction materials and banning
smoking in enclosed, public spaces.
2) Setting ventilation requirements establishes the
required air exchange rate in enclosed spaces,
ensuring dilution of air pollutants.
3) Proper operation and maintenance of buildings and
ventilation systems ensures these are clean and not
a source of damp, dust and micro-organisms.
4) The provision of cleaning services and products.
5) Awareness raising and professional education to
prevent indoor air pollution.
Abu Dhabi entities are planning to deliver a combination
of measures, from standards, labels and guidelines
for construction materials, to the establishment of
requirements for cleaning of ventilation ducts, and
targeted awareness campaigns and awareness material
on air quality and health.

Laying Out the Challenges

Laying Out the Challenges

BALANCING AMBIENT AIR

QUALITY WITH ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline

of 20g/m3, with peaks during dust storms reaching 14
times the guideline. The main contributors for high PM10
levels are natural sources, transportation and combustion
processes.

Air quality is essential for the health and wellbeing of

the population in Abu Dhabi. Air pollution has costs
associated with lower employee productivity, health
care, reduced agricultural yields, poor visibility impacting
transportation activities, and cleanliness and maintenance
requirements of infrastructure (Table1).
The current main concerns with air quality in Abu Dhabi
are the high ambient concentrations of particulate matter
(PM10) and ground level ozone (O3). During 2012 the Abu
Dhabi daily limit of 150g/m3 PM10 was exceeded at all air
quality monitoring stations (Figure 1). Abu Dhabis annual
average concentrations of PM10 were seven times higher

Particulate Matter (PM)

Ground-level Ozone
(O3)

Sulphur Oxides (SOx)

Nitrogen Oxides
(NOx)

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Sources

Ground level ozone concentrations frequently exceed

Abu Dhabis maximum allowable limit of 200g/m3 per
hour, of 120g/m3 per 8 hours, and the WHO maximum
allowable limit of 100 g/m3 per 8 hours (Figure 2).
Ground level ozone forms in the atmosphere with the
reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC), in the presence of sunlight.The main
sources of precursor pollutants are transportation and
industry. Other pollutants currently monitored sulphur
dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide
(CO) are within federal limits. PM2.5 is monitored in Abu
Dhabi, due to its impact on public health, but currently
there are no established federal limits.

Health

Fuel combustion, chemical

reaction, industrial
processes, agriculture
and unpaved roads, sand
storms.

Heart and lung diseases,

respiratory symptoms
(coughing and shortness
of breath), premature
mortality.

Formed by chemical
reaction of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and
NOx in the presence of
sunlight.

Lung diseases, decrease in

lung function, respiratory
symptoms, aggravation
of asthma. Premature
mortality.

Fuel combustion.
(Contributes to PM
formation)

Aggravation of asthma.

Fuel combustion and

wood burning.

Fuel combustion.

Figure 1: Percentage exceedances of 24-hour average air quality limit set in

UAE for PM10 at thirteen sites in Abu Dhabi, 2012.
PM10 (24-H AVERAGES)
%exceedances of AQL value

60%

50%

Table 1: Air pollutant sources and impacts on the health, environment and economy of Abu Dhabi.
Pollutant

Aggravation of lung
diseases and increased
susceptibility to
respiratory infections.
Aggravation of heart
disease, reduction of
access to oxygen.
(CO is mainly a problem
in enclosed spaces).

Environment

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Zakher* Sweihan* Al Ain Khadejah Hamdan
St.
Sch.
St.

Al Ain
Instit.

Khalifa
Sch.

Liwa

Gayathi Mussafah

Mafraq

*Fourth quarter only

Source: EAD, 2013

Figure 2: Percentage exceedances of federal air quality limit values set in UAE for 1-hour
and 8-hour ground level ozone concentrations, in 2012.
Maximum 1-h
Maximum 8-h
Max O3 in % of AQL

175%

Economy

150%

Acid deposition,
caused by NOx
and SOx, impacts
buildings, water
bodies, forests and
wildlife.
Eutrophication of
water bodies can
stimulate algae
blooms and kill fish
and plants.

Air pollution
causes medical
expenditures, with
hospital admissions,
emergency
department visits,
health care and
medication, and a
reduction in worker
productivity (e.g.
absences from work).

125%

Tropospheric
ozone damages to
vegetation.

Air pollution can

also result in lower
visibility levels that
affect transport
activities, higher
costs associated
with building and
infrastructure
maintenance, and
lower agricultural
yields.

Wildlife can
experience health
impacts from air
pollutants similar to
humans.

Bida Baniyas
Zayed

100%

75%
50%
25%

0%
Khadejah
Sch.

Al Ain
Instit.

Sweihan*

Baniyas

Liwa

Khalifa
Sch.

Gayathi

Bida
Zayed

*Fourth quarter only

Source: EAD, 2013

The sources and toxicity levels of air pollution are not

yet fully understood and documented. It is known that
there is a combination of natural and man-made sources
and that some of the sources are long ranged, possibly
located in other countries.
To date it is known that 54-67% of PM2.5 in Abu Dhabi
come from man-made sources. 41-48% of the particles
are secondary aerosol of sulfate and ammonia, originated
from oil production and refining activities in the UAE
and across the Arabian Gulf. 26% of PM2.5 is mineral dust,
which has origin in the surface geology and sea. 13-15%
of PM2.5 comes from traffic and 11% from industry or

shipping. Finally, 4-9% of the PM2.5 is salt from marine

sources.
Efforts are required to conduct an air pollutant emission
inventory for Abu Dhabi and to conduct additional
speciation and source apportionment studies to further
clarify sources and toxicity levels of pollution.
However, it is known that the pressures on air quality
are increasing with rising transportation, water and
electricity demand, expansion of the oil and gas sector,
industrialization and increase in construction and
demolition activities (Figures 3 and 4).

LAying out thE chALLEngES

gWh

figure 3: total electricity production and consumption in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Electricity Production
Electricity consumption

2005
25,424
25,424

2006
28,502
27,323

2007
34,142
29,342

2008
34,452
31,481

2009
39,219
34,716

2010
41,712
39,173

2011
46,314
43,251

(Source: SCAD, 2012)

motor vehicles Licensed

figure 4: motor vehicles licensed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2004

motorcycles
Light vehicles
Bus (light
bus (light and heavy)
and heavy)
Trucks
(light(light and heavy)
trucks
and heavy)
Heavy
heavy
mechanical equipment
mechanical
equipment
total
Motorcycles
Light
vehicles

2009

2010

2011

2012

Motorcycles
Light
vehicles
Bus (light
and heavy)
Trucks (light
and heavy)
Heavy
mechanical
equipment

2005

2005
1,723
233,732
4,364
19,475
10,626
269,920

2006

2006
2,072
294,294
5,705
21,247
12,388
335,706

2007

2007
2,712
376,355
7,691
25,380
15,772
427,910

2008

2008
3,768
494,013
10,790
31,861
21,316
561,748

2009

2009
5,141
592,970
13,948
37,545
25,422
675,026

2010

2010
6,176
652,017
15,220
42,115
27,521
743,049

2011

2011
7,009
687,901
17,380
43,873
28,913
785,076

2012

(Source: SCAD, 2012)

Air quality monitoring stations in Abu Dhabi

Setting out the Challenges

Laying Out the Challenges

SOLVING THE INDOOR AIR

QUALITY PUZZLE
Indoor air quality is defined as the totality of attributes
of indoor air that affect a persons health and well-being.
Indoor air pollution causes multiple health impacts,
ranging from acute conditions such as sensory irritation
to chronic, potentially life-threatening conditions such as
cancer and cardiovascular disease. Indoor air pollution is
considered as a high priority in Abu Dhabi due to several
factors, as highlighted in The State of Environmental
Health in the UAE report of 2009:
1. Indoor air pollution presents the second highest
environment risk for public health in UAE, after
outdoor air pollution.
2. High exposure of the public to indoor air pollutants
due to the significant amount of time spent inside
buildings.
3. The fact that energy-efficient buildings are
potentially contributing to the increased risk due
to accumulation of pollutants inside tightly sealed
building envelopes.
4. The identification of several potential sources of
pollutants in indoor environments.
The most frequent indoor air pollution sources are:
1. Building construction materials (e.g. concrete, stone,
wallboard, paint, and insulation) and contents (e.g.
badly maintained A/C units and water services,
furnishing materials).

2. Human metabolic activity and human activities (e.g.

tobacco smoke, cooking fumes, incense burning, air
fresheners, candles, cleaning products).
3. Highly humid environments that results in surface
condensation and growth of mould fungus and
pathogenic bacteria like Legionella.
4. Pollutants from outdoor environment, such as
outdoor air pollution that infiltrates through open
windows, and naturally occurring radon gas from
surrounding rocks and soil that infiltrates through
cracks and gaps in the building floors and walls.
Note that, radioactivity in indoor environments can
result from both the natural environment and from
contaminated imported materials.
These sources pollute the indoor air with several types
of pollutants, such as SO2, NO, NO2, O2, CO, CO2,
NH2, Pb, HCN, hydro-carbonates, particulates, radon
gas, formaldehyde, mercury, sulfates, organics, odours,
fluorocarbons, and vinyl chloride hydrocarbons.
Currently, indoor air quality in households is not
monitored on a regular basis by government entities
because households are private property. However, there
is scope for improving monitoring of indoor air quality
through voluntary actions from aware and concerned
citizens. Regulatory action can occur on some of the
pollution sources such as construction materials and
building contents available in the market; and maintenance
requirements for ventilation systems. In addition, zoning
in land use planning can play an important role in
locating residences in areas of low outdoor and naturally
occurring pollution.

10

Laying Out the Challenges

Laying Out the Challenges

COORDINATING ACTION
ACROSS SECTORS FOR
EFFECTIVE AIR QUALITY
MANAGEMENT

Ambient air quality is impacted by entities operating

in pollution emitting sectors and influenced by entities
with mandates on environment management. There is
some demarcation between the entities responsible for
policy setting, regulation, enforcement and operations.
However, there are also some overlaps which could lead
to duplication of efforts, gaps and delays.

Figure 5: Overview of Stakeholders operating in Ambient Air Quality Management.

Similarly, for indoor air quality some overlap occurs

on mandates and roles of entities overseeing policy and
planning, regulation, enforcement, and monitoring of
emission sources like construction materials, building
maintenance, furniture, decoration and cleaning products,
air conditioning and ventilation requirements, and
household behaviour.

Figure 6: Overview of Stakeholders operating in Indoor Air Quality Management.

Construction
Material
[UPC, ESMA, QCC,
FANR, HAAD, DMA,
Municipalities]

Oil and Gas

[ADNOC, SPC]

Construction
& Demolition
[DMA, EAD, UPC,
QCC, Police,
Courts]

Industry
[DED, IDB, EAD,
ESMA, QCC,
Courts]
Ambient Air
Quality
[MoEW, EAD,
ESMA, HAAD]

Indoor Air
Quality
[HAAD, UPC,
DMA, Municipalities, FANR]
Power & Water
[RSB, ADWEA,
ESMA, EAD, ENEC,
QCC, EAA,
MASDAR]

Commercial
[DED, ESMA, EAD,
UPC, QCC, Police,
Courts]

Transport
[DOT, EAD, ESMA,
QCC, DMA, Police]

Building
Maintenance
[DMA,
Municipalities,
QCC, HAAD]

Household
Behavior
[HAAD, ADEC]

A/C and
Ventilation
[UPC, DMA,
Municipalities ESMA,
QCC, HAAD]

Furniture,
decoration,
cleaning products
[QCC, UPC, ESMA,
HAAD]

11

12

Laying Out the Challenges

Laying Out the Challenges

There is a need for coordinating initiatives among the

entities that operate in the same space. Currently,
Abu Dhabi entities cooperate through High-level
Committees and Technical Committees established
by decree; Memoranda of Understanding (MoU); and

informal Working Groups and Committees. Despite the

existence of numerous forums for coordination there
is little understanding of which ones are still active,
their level of effectiveness, the existence of overlaps on
mandates and work plans.

MoU are typically established between two entities and

are effective in clarifying the roles of each entity, the
delegation of activities established by legal mandate, and
the definition of joint action plans in areas of common

13

interest. Table 3 provides an overview of existing MoU

in the field of air quality. The extent of use of these MoU
is unclear.

Table 3: MoU established to facilitate cross-entity cooperation, as of 2013.

Table 2: Committees established to facilitate cross-entity cooperation, as of 2013.

(Executive Committee Decision (36J3), 2008)

Compressed Natural Gas Technical Committee. Permanent Technical
Committee to Implement Strategy for Natural Gas use for Cars. This
Committee is not meeting anymore.

Infrastructure and Environment

Committee

(Executive Council Decree (1), 2009)

Study infrastructure and environment projects and their
implementation mechanisms. Study drafts of legislature, regulations,
policies and decisions on environment. Study urban projects on urban
planning and land registration

2011

National Bureau of Statistics

Environment Statistics Committee

(SCAD Administrative Decision (17), 2011)

Higher Committee for Abu Dhabi

Environment Vision 2030

Follow-up on progress and results of Environment Vision 2030. This

Committee has not met for a couple of years.

Advisory Technical Committee for

Environment Vision 2030

Oversee Environment Vision 2030 project. Review main deliverables.

Ensure implementation of the Environment Vision 2030 Action Plan.
This committee met only once.

National Committee for

Environment Coordination

(Ministerial Decree (104), 2012)

Propose policies and plans to improve environmental work in UAE.
Review and develop procedures related to implementing regulations,
systems, policies and work plans. Propose programmes and joint work
plans between Environment and Water Ministry/Federal Environment
Authority and related authorities. Coordinate UAE position in
international conferences. Propose information sharing mechanisms
between Ministry of Environment and Water/Federal Environment
Agency and other environment agencies in UAE.

Jul-12

Mar-12

Jan-09

2008

Higher Committee for Air Quality

Management

Mar-11

Description

May-11

Start Name of Committee

Working Group for Air Quality

Management (Federal)

(Ministerial Decree (341), 2012)

Propose policies and work plans related to air quality. Review and
evaluate air quality regulations. Suggest cooperation mechanisms
between entities

Entities

Start Date

Description

MoEW & EAD

Nov-08

Joint cooperation in the fields of pollution control and ambient air quality.

ADWEA & EAD

Nov-08

Monitoring ambient air quality in the vicinities of power plants.

HAAD & EAD

Mar-09

Development of Environmental Health Strategy for the UAE and

establishment of environmental data and information management
practices for Abu Dhabi that meet regional and international
requirements.

ZonesCorp & EAD

Apr-10

Activation of cooperation in the field of air quality control in Abu Dhabi.

Establishment of electronic links between air quality data networks.

ADNOC & EAD

May-12

Dubai Municipality
& EAD

N/A

Collaboration on the development of the overall Environmental Agenda

(Abu Dhabi Environmental Vision 2013) and subsequent 5-year strategy.

E-linking of air quality monitoring networks.

Entities in Abu Dhabi are also collaborating through informal committees and working groups. (Table 4)

Table 4: Informal working groups and committees, as of 2013.

Name of Committee
Technical Committee
for Low Emission Zone
Feasibility Study
Working Group Environmental Monitoring
(Air Quality & Noise)

Description
Conduct detailed feasibility study to establish scope of low emission zone, the costs and benefits.
The feasibility study will also identify best practices, conduct stakeholder analysis and recommend
a scheme.
A working group established to standardize procedures for field sampling and laboratory analysis
of environmental air samples. The scope has been extended to include discussion on noise
monitoring. The Working Group reports to the QCC Standing Technical Committee for Water,
Energy, the Built Environment and Waste.

There is a need to understand better the contributions of each coordination mechanism to the delivery of Abu Dhabis
air quality strategy, and to address any potential gaps and overlapping efforts.

14

Laying Out the Opportunities

Laying Out the Challenges

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

MEASURES TO PROTECT
PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has made efforts to improve
ambient air quality. Abu Dhabis vision for ambient air
quality management is defined in Environment Vision
2030 as Clean Air Contributing to Safe and Healthy
Living Conditions. The Air Quality and Noise Strategy
for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi establishes outcomes and
targets for ambient air quality and sector emissions
(Table 5 & 6). In addition, the Water Resources

15

Management Strategy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi sets

targets related to demand management for desalinated
water, and related to improved efficiency of desalinated
water generation and supply, which have an impact on
emissions of air pollution.
The legal framework for air quality in Abu Dhabi includes:
Federal Law No. (24), of 1999 that regulates air
pollution in UAE.
The Federal Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. (12),
of 2006 that sets air pollution limits and standards.
Abu Dhabi Law No. (6), of 2005, which includes
requirements on environmental impact assessments
of current and future developments.
Law No. (8) that concerns the phasing-out of gas
flaring.

Table 5: Ambient Air Quality Targets for Abu Dhabi.

Ambient Air Quality Outcomes Air Pollutant Measures
NO2 concentrations that do not exceed
ambient air quality guidelines

SO2 concentrations that do not exceed

ambient air quality standards

Ground-level O3 concentrations that do not

exceed ambient air quality standards

Abu Dhabi Skyline

Baseline
(2010)

Targets
2018
2030

Annual average NO2 concentrations (g/m3)

34

<40

<40

Highest daily average NO2 concentration

measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

177

<150

<150

Highest hourly average NO2 concentration

measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

356

<400

<400

Annual average SO2 concentrations (g/m3)

7.8

<60

<60

Highest daily average SO2 concentration

measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

46

<150

<150

Highest hourly average SO2 concentration

measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

240

<350

<350

Highest 1-Hour O3 concentration measured in

all stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

295

<200

<200

8-Hour O3 concentration measured in all

stations in Abu Dhabi (g/m3)

214

<120

<120

16

Laying Out the Opportunities

Laying Out the Opportunities

17

Table 6: Sector targets for air pollutant emissions reduction in Abu Dhabi.
Sector Outcomes Measure

Energy and Utilities

Waste Management

Targets

Baseline
(2010)

2018

2030

Develop and transition to a

renewable and low-carbon
energy and utilities sector

% of the Emirates total annual

electricity generated using lowcarbon and renewable energy

0%

25%

30%

Adopt innovative clean

solution for water production
in light of energy plans

% of new desalinated water

capacity using clean technologies
(low carbon and renewables)

15-20%

Maximize

Ensure effective control of air

pollutant emissions from oil
and gas production

% of oil and gas facilities

implementing effective emissions
managing systems

<5%

70%

100%

Develop environmentally
sound waste collection,
transport and treatment
options

% of waste diverted from landfill

to most environmentally sound
treatment or disposal

<5%

>80%

Ensure proper waste disposal

and reduce environmental
impact on air

% of landfilled waste disposed of

in sanitary disposal sites

<20%

100%

Sector targets also need to be defined for transportation, industry, commercial, construction and demolition.

The Air Quality and Noise Strategy for Abu Dhabi defines
actions for the period of 2014-2018 in the realm of
governance, policy and planning, regulation, enforcement,
incentives, awareness and capacity building, monitoring,
and research.
Effective air quality management requires understanding
the relative contributions of emission sources and the
aggregate impacts from dispersed sources. It also requiers

Air Quality Strategy for Abu Dhabi-Ambient air quality component

>80%

Policy and Planning

Develop policy and planning support tools and studies
such as cost-benefit analysis, marginal abatement cost
curves, regulatory impact assessments.

Infrastructure & Operations

Implement Abu Dhabis Surface Transportation Master
Plan. Introduce ULSD in Abu Dhabi. Convert 25% of
government fleets to CNG.

100%

Policy and Planning

Incorporate air quality considerations in transportation,
industry, power and water sectors planning.

Infrastructure & Operations

Water and energy demand management initiatives &
reduction of distribution losses.

Policy and Planning

Create Low-emissions Zones in urban areas.

Infrastructure & Operations

Instal clean and efficient techniques for water and
energy production (renewables and nuclear energy).

Policy and Planning

Establish early warning and emergency planning for
episodes of high air pollution.

Infrastructure & Operations

Reduce flaring and fugitive VOC emissions from oil and
gas industry.

Regulation
Improve legal framework on air quality, on emissions
from stationary and mobile sources; develop codes of
practice and guidelines.

Enforcement
Expand capacity of permitting, inspection and auditing
department at EAD. Expansion of Inspection and
Compliance Tool and of Risk Characterization &
Hazard Evaluation System.

Regulation
Improve building and maintenance codes for energy
and water efficiency practices. Issue energy & water
efficiency product standards.
Incentives
Introduce cost-reflective and usage related block tariffs
for water and electricity.

Air Quality Monitoring Station

selecting the right investment opportunities and costeffective air quality management policies and measures,
in order to enhance associated benefits and mitigate
costs. Clear regulations and effective enforcement are
key instruments to provide direction to markets.There is
also a need to raise awareness and build local capacity to
facilitate the creation of native capabilities and industries
on air quality management, clean technologies and
services.

Enforcement
Review and improve existing inspection and
maintenance scheme for vehicles on air
pollution and noise.
Governance
Assess status of relevant memoranda of understanding,
informal committees and working groups and ensure
ambient and indoor air quality have appropriate
coordination
mechanisms.

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Laying Out the Opportunities

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

MEASURES TO ENHANCE
PUBLIC HEALTH
To date, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has seen efforts
to improve indoor air quality. The study State of
Environmental Health in the United Arab Emirates
provides information on the health risks related to indoor
air pollution. The National Strategy and Action Plan for
Environmental Health 2010 is the federal strategy on
indoor air quality, while the Environment Vision 2030 and
the Air Quality and Noise Strategy for the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi provides high level direction and an action plan for
indoor air quality management at Emirate level.
Several laws and local regulations for the United Arab
Emirates and Abu Dhabi Emirate exist to manage indoor
air quality (e.g. the Federal Law No. 24 of 1999, article
55 to 57; the Federal Cabinet of Ministers Deceree
No. 12 of 2006, article 12 and 13; the Federal Law No.
(15) of 2009; the Ministerial Decree No. (42) of 2008;
the Federal Cabinet of Ministers Deceree No. (39) of
2006; Urban Planning Councils ESTIDAMA building
requirments; and the Health Authority - Abu Dhabis
Environment Health and Safety Management System. The
legal framework for indoor air quality management must

be periodically reviewed and revised where necessary.

Full implementation and strict enforcement are required.
Several entities in Abu Dhabi have initiatives in the field of
indoor air quality management:
- Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
- Urban Planning Council (UPC).
- Emirates Authority for Standardization and
Metrology (ESMA).
- Quality Control Council (QCC).
- Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
- Department of Municipal Affairs.
- Abu Dhabi Municipality (ADM).
- Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC).
- Executive Affairs Authority (EAA).
However, there is a need to facilitate coordination
of activities among entities to improve the current
initiatives, fill any gaps, and unify efforts.
The Governments vision for indoor air quality in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as defined in the Environment
Vision 2030, is Preserved indoor air quality contributes
to Safe and Healthy Living Conditions. Abu Dhabi aims
to enhance indoor air quality in order to protect public
health. The following table summarises Abu Dhabis
indoor air quality outcomes and targets.

Table 7: Sector targets for indoor air quality in Abu Dhabi.

Baseline

Sector Outcomes Measure

(2011)

Building and
Improve indoor air quality in
Percentage of new residential
40%
Infrastructure

new building environments

buildings that meet Estidama

Standard

Asthma Awareness
and Education

Reduce asthma prevalence

among Abu Dhabi residents

Percentage of emergency room

department visits of asthma
patients due to asthma attacks,
out of all health care facilities
visits of asthma patients

10.7%

Targets
2018

2030

90%

100%

<8%

<5%

Indoor Air Quality

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi aims to ensure a high

level of indoor air quality based on the development
and implementation of the following measures:
Establishment of indoor air quality standards, regulations and conformity assessments.
Setting of requirements for monitoring and reporting of indoor air quality
parameter s.
Delivery of awareness and educational programmes and campaigns.
Development of studies and research about indoor air quality in Abu Dhabi.
Building of human and institutional capacity.

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Laying Out the Opportunities

The Air Quality and Noise Strategy for the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi defines actions for indoor air quality for the period
of 2014-2018 in the realm of governance, policy and

planning, regulation, enforcement, incentives, awareness

and capacity building, monitoring, and research.

Air Quality Strategy for Abu Dhabi-Indoor air quality component

Regulation
Improve legal framework on indoor air quality.

Incentives
Operate Estidama Programme.

Regulation
Issue standards, labels, guidelines for construction
materials and other products to regulate indoor air
pollutant emissions.

Incentives
Implement and operate conformity scheme for
construction materials.

Regulation
Establish requirements for cleaning and maintenance
of A/C and ventilation ducts.

Enforcement
New lease check list and no-obligation letter/
certificate requirements and procedures.

Research
Link indoor air quality with public health. Develop
database on building and construction materials
complying with Estidama requirements.

Awareness
Develop targeted awareness campaigns and
educational material on indoor air quality and health.