The UAE is on the list of states with high carbon footprint. Sea water desalination plants and reliance of fossil fuels have catapulted the Emirates on the list of carbondioxide polluters.
According to a latest report by British consultancy Maplecroft, the UAE, Australia and the US have the most greenhouse gas emissions. Officials have urged business in the UAE to adopt fuel-friendly approaches based on green technology and renewable energy, according to a report in ''Al Khaleej'' newspaper.
"The high carbon footprint in the UAE is due to the acceleration in urban development, which results in increased consumption of energy and water. However, this does not mean that the growth process is stopped," said officials.
Some experts suggest using hydrogen to generate power. This will require only about $400,000 a year in buildings that require 1000 kW of power. At present about 33 tonnes of harmful gases are emmitted.
The UAE has great potential in the field of solar power. Experts call for specialised centres for research while continuing to search for alternatives and solutions to reduce ecological footprint. More than 50 per cent pollution is due to wrong usage of resources, they said.
Dr Mariam Hassan Al Chenasi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water, said:
"The UAE''s total CO2 emissions per capita is 8.32 tonnes, according to the Human Development Report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fight climate change 2010. Onlyadoption of renewable energy will reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Similarly, measures to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by a number of initiatives which is among the strategic plans which aims at strengthening the environment. Most quarries in the UAE play a major role in carbon emissions. As the main pollutant is dust it can be controlled with efficient systems in place. One of the reasons is the use of diesel engines to operate generators, trucks and other equipment, she said and added CO2 is emmitted during cement manufacturing process, too. There are 11 big cement factories in the UAE producing about 25 million tonnes of cement annually, which generates about 18 million tonnes of greenhouse CO2.
Ministry of Environment and Water established a network of stations for monitoring air pollutants in Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman and take appropriate action when they exceed the standards or limits that have been developed and approved by Council of Ministers No (12), 2006.
She also urged the shift to hybrid cars or battery-powered vehicles and use of soalr energy and called for everyone to follow Masdar. "The Ministry of Environment and Water has taken several measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," she said.
Meanwhile, regarding the role of private sector to invest in environmental projects, Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, Minister of Environment and Water, said the private sector is innovative and can efficiently contribute to eco-friendly projects.
Dr Fehr Ghalib Hayati, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Ajman University of Science and Technology, said solar energy does not pollute the environment. In the future the cost of fossil fuels such as oil and gas can be offset by lower costs of solar energy with the advent of new technologies and materials.
Hussein Lootah, Director-General,Dubai Municipality, said carbon pollution is one of the major challenges we face. In collaboration with RTA and the Dubai Police, the municipality has taken several steps to reduce pollution, such as encouraging hybrid vehicles. The biggest pollutants are vehicle exhausts.
Saeed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water, said hydrogen gas is one of he neat sources for production of electricity. But as it is not found freely in ar the cost of producing electricity using hydrogen could vary.
"Dewa depends mainly on fuel gas to produce energy and during peak hours, we use limited quantities of diesel oil," he added. In order to reduce carbon emissions resulting from fuel combustion in vehicles, the Emirates Transport adopted experiments such as the eco-friendly fuel. Osman Hassan, Director of technical development in Emirates transport said: "The first experience includes alowing vehicles to run on natural gas.
Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, recently kicked off an initiative to plant a million trees in different parts of Dubai within four years, so that 250,000 trees are grown every year. The primary role of planting of trees is to stop desertification and make the desert come to life.
He added the launch of a boat fully equipped to monitor and control marine pollution from various sources is the first of its kind at the regional level.