ABU DHABI: In line with the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy and as part of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN), the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and Zayed University have announced a research collaboration to develop Green House Gas (GHG) emission factors for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Announced during COP28, the partnership will see both entities work to identify the emission factors needed to accurately calculate Abu Dhabi’s GHG inventory. The research will help develop sector-specific emission factors through the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data, and help develop local emission factors for sectors where no data currently exists.
The research will review existing studies conducted in the region, reports, and databases on global and regional GHG emissions to gain a comprehensive understanding of completeness and applicability of emission factors appropriate to the specifics of Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, the researchers will collect and analyse primary data from releva
nt government agencies, industries, and research institutions to estimate emission factors while collaborating with stakeholders, including government entities, private organisations, and academic institutions, to ensure the availability and accuracy of data.
As part of the final reporting phase, an emissions factor guidebook as well as a detailed report summarising the findings will be prepared, which also includes the Abu Dhabi-specific emissions.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environment Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, said, ‘The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is committed to sustainable development and reducing its carbon footprint. As part of our efforts to address climate change, it is essential to understand the sources and magnitudes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the emirate, in alignment with the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy which we launched in July of 2023.
‘This research project, in partnership with Zayed University, aims to enhance the quality of the GHG inve
ntory by developing and implementing the necessary accurate and up-to-date GHG emission factors across Abu Dhabi’s various emitting sectors.’
He added, ‘It is an extremely important project that will allow the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi to define forward-looking strategic policies and regulations which, in turn, will help us to reduce our GHG emissions and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s overall commitment to mitigating climate change. This 12-month research project – an Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network initiative – also enables the external research community to engage in strengthening the scientific premise upon which all our policies and regulations are based.’
Professor Yousef Nazzal, Chair of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at the College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS) at Zayed University, said, ‘We’re delighted to be participating in this significant project-one that underscores our dedication to Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development and the pressing need to reduce our car
bon footprint. The research conducted will help us better understand the sources and scale of greenhouse gas emissions within our emirate, which is fundamental to catalysing change.
‘We will work with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi to collect data that enhances the quality of our GHG inventory by developing and implementing precise emission factors tailored to the emirate’s diverse emitting sectors.”
This research will help shape a more sustainable future and equip our policymakers with the data they need to craft strategies to counter the threat posed by GHG emissions. ‘I would also like to thank the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ERN). This network acts as an enabler and further underscores the effectiveness of collaboration on innovative solutions, which will be key to success in our long-term climate action goals,” he added.
Source: Emirates News Agency
