EnvironmEnt AgEncy - Abu DhAbicall us: +971 2 4454777 E-mail us: customerservice@ead.aeKnow more about us: www.ead.ae

hEALth Authority - Abu DhAbicorporate communications Departmentcall us: +971 2 4193 619E-mail us: ahzaabi@haad.aeKnow more about us: www.haad.ae

EnhAncingAir QuALity

in Abu DhAbi

2014

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 EAD’s customer relations department at customerservice@ead.ae

© EnvironmEnt AgEncy – Abu DhAbi (EAD) 2013All 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 Eichakerhanne & Jens Eriksens

EnvironmEnt AgEncy - Abu DhAbicall us: +971 2 4454777 E-mail us: customerservice@ead.aeKnow more about us: www.ead.ae

hEALth Authority - Abu DhAbicorporate communications DepartmentP.o. box 5674Abu Dhabiunited Arab EmiratesE-mail us: ahzaabi@haad.aecall us: +971 2 4193 619Know more about us: www.haad.ae

Abu DhAbi’S viSion for Air QuALity in 2030

“clean Air contributing to safe and healthy living conditions.”

corniche-Abu Dhabi

WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THIS BRIEF

1) LAying out thE chALLEngES• Balancingambientairqualitywitheconomicdevelopment• Solvingtheindoorairqualitypuzzle• Coordinatingactionacrosssectorsforeffectiveairqualitymanagement

2) LAying out thE oPPortunitiES • Ambientairqualitymeasurestoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment• Indoorairqualitymeasurestoenhancepublichealth• StreamliningcoordinationtodeliverAbuDhabi’sairqualitystrategy

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 Dhabi’s sustained growth and development to pursue economic development while maintaining good air quality standards.

Abu Dhabi’s air quality is currently within federal standards for most pollutants. Abu Dhabi’s 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.

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 Dhabi’s 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 Dhabi’s market. the transportation sector is adopting public transportation and vehicle emission standards.

it is a priority to continue managing air quality to enhance Abu Dhabi’s 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 withfederal limits on air pollution. Air quality management areas should be established in locations that are non-compliant with legislation or that risk becoming non-compliant in the future. targeted air pollution control measures should be deployed in air quality management areastobringairqualitybacktostandardsdefinedbylaw.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 reduceindoor 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.

EXEcutivE SummAry 3

Al maqtaa fort and umm Al-nar industrial Area, Abu Dhabi

bALAncing AmbiEnt Air QuALity With Economic DEvELoPmEnt

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 150µg/m3 Pm10 was exceeded at all air quality monitoring stations (figure 1). Abu Dhabi’s annual average concentrations of Pm10 were seven times higher

than the World health organization (Who) guideline of 20µg/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.

ground level ozone concentrations frequently exceed Abu Dhabi’s maximum allowable limit of 200µg/m3 per hour, of 120µg/m3 per 8 hours, and the Who maximum allowable limit of 100 µg/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.

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 UAEand 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 LAying out thE chALLEngES4 5

figure 1: Percentage exceedances of 24-hour average air quality limit set in uAE for Pm10 at thirteen sites in Abu Dhabi, 2012.

*Fourth quarter onlySource: 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.

Zakher*

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Sweihan* Al Ain St.

Khadejah Sch.

hamdan St.

bida Zayed

baniyas Al Ain instit.

Khalifa Sch.

Liwa gayathi mussafah mafraq

Pm10 (24-h AvErAgES)%exceedances of AQL value

max o3 in % of AQL

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

125%

150%

175%

Sweihan* Khadejah Sch.

bida Zayed

baniyasAl Ain instit.

Khalifa Sch.

Liwa gayathi

maximum 1-hmaximum 8-h

*Fourth quarter onlySource: EAD, 2013

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

Particulate matter (Pm)

ground-level ozone (o3)

Sulphur oxides (Sox)

nitrogen oxides (nox)

carbon monoxide (co)

fuel combustion, chemical reaction, industrial processes, agriculture and unpaved roads, sand storms.

formed by chemical reaction of volatile organic compounds (vocs) and nox in the presence of sunlight.

fuel combustion. (contributes to Pm formation)

fuel combustion and wood burning.

fuel combustion.

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

Lung diseases, decrease in lung function, respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma. Premature mortality.

Aggravation of asthma.

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).

Acid deposition, caused by nox and Sox, impacts buildings, water bodies, forests and wildlife. Eutrophication of water bodies can stimulate algae bloomsandkillfishand plants.

tropospheric ozone damages to vegetation.

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

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).

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.

PoLLutAnt SourcES hEALth EnvironmEnt Economy

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

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

Electricity Production

Electricity consumption

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Motorcycles

Light vehicles

Bus (light and heavy)

Trucks (light and heavy)

Heavy mechanical equipment

900,000800,000700,000600,000500,000400,000300,000200,000100,000

0

mot

or v

ehic

les

Lice

nsed

gW

h

(Source: SCAD, 2012)

(Source: SCAD, 2012)

20051,723233,7324,36419,47510,626269,920

20062,072294,2945,70521,24712,388335,706

20072,712376,3557,69125,38015,772427,910

20083,768494,01310,79031,86121,316561,748

20095,141592,97013,94837,54525,422675,026

20106,176652,01715,22042,11527,521743,049

20117,009687,90117,38043,87328,913785,076

motorcyclesLight vehiclesbus (light and heavy)trucks (light and heavy)heavy mechanical equipmenttotal

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Motorcycles

Light vehicles

Bus (light and heavy)

Trucks (light and heavy)

Heavy mechanical equipment

LAying out thE chALLEngES6

200525,42425,424

200628,50227,323

200734,14229,342

200834,45231,481

200939,21934,716

201041,71239,173

201146,31443,251

Air quality monitoring stations in Abu Dhabi

98 LAying out thE chALLEngES SEtting out thE chALLEngES

SoLving thE inDoor Air QuALity PuZZLE

Indoorairqualityisdefinedasthetotalityofattributesof indoor air that affect a person’s 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 amountof timespent insidebuildings.

3. The fact that energy-efficient buildings arepotentially contributing to the increased risk due to accumulation of pollutants inside tightly sealed building envelopes.

4. The identification of several potential sources ofpollutants 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 outdoorairpollution that infiltrates throughopenwindows, and naturally occurring radon gas from surrounding rocks and soil that infiltrates throughcracks 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.

coorDinAting Action AcroSS SEctorS for EffEctivE Air QuALity mAnAgEmEnt

Ambient air quality is impacted by entities operating in pollution emitting sectors and influenced by entitieswith 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.

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.

1110 LAying out thE chALLEngES LAying out thE chALLEngES

figure 5: overview of Stakeholders operating in Ambient Air Quality management. figure 6: overview of Stakeholders operating in indoor Air Quality management.

construction & Demolition

[DmA, EAD, uPc, Qcc, Police,

courts]

household behavior

[hAAD, ADEc]

oil and gas[ADnoc, SPc]

construction material

[uPc, ESmA, Qcc, fAnr, hAAD, DmA,

municipalities]

commercial [DED, ESmA, EAD, uPc, Qcc, Police,

courts]

Ambient Air Quality

[moEW, EAD, ESmA, hAAD]

indoor Air Quality

[hAAD, uPc, DmA, municipali-

ties, fAnr]

industry [DED, iDb, EAD,

ESmA, Qcc, courts]

transport [Dot, EAD, ESmA, Qcc, DmA, Police]

Power & Water [rSb, ADWEA,

ESmA, EAD, EnEc, Qcc, EAA, mASDAr]

building maintenance

[DmA, municipalities, Qcc, hAAD]

A/c and ventilation

[uPc, DmA, municipalities ESmA,

Qcc, hAAD]

furniture, decoration,

cleaning products [Qcc, uPc, ESmA,

hAAD]

LAying out thE chALLEngES

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 thedefinitionof jointactionplans inareasofcommon

interest. table 3 provides an overview of existing mou inthefieldofairquality.TheextentofuseoftheseMoUis unclear.

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

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

12 LAying out thE chALLEngES

table 3: mou established to facilitate cross-entity cooperation, as of 2013.

nov-08

nov-08

mar-09

Apr-10

may-12

n/A

Jointcooperationinthefieldsofpollutioncontrolandambientairquality.

monitoring ambient air quality in the vicinities of power plants.

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.

ActivationofcooperationinthefieldofairqualitycontrolinAbuDhabi.Establishment of electronic links between air quality data networks.

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 StArt DAtE DEScriPtion

moEW & EAD

ADWEA & EAD

hAAD & EAD

Zonescorp & EAD

ADnoc & EAD

Dubai municipality & EAD

table 4: informal working groups and committees, as of 2013.

Conductdetailedfeasibilitystudytoestablishscopeoflowemissionzone,thecostsandbenefits.the feasibility study will also identify best practices, conduct stakeholder analysis and recommend a scheme.

Aworkinggroupestablishedtostandardizeproceduresforfieldsamplingandlaboratoryanalysisof 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.

nAmE of committEE DEScriPtion

technical committee for Low Emission Zone

feasibility Study

Working group - Environmental monitoring

(Air Quality & noise)

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.

table 2: committees established to facilitate cross-entity cooperation, as of 2013.

highEr committEE for Air QuALity mAnAgEmEnt

infrAStructurE AnD EnvironmEnt committEE

nAtionAL burEAu of StAtiSticS EnvironmEnt StAtiSticS committEE

highEr committEE for Abu DhAbi EnvironmEnt viSion 2030

ADviSory tEchnicAL committEE for EnvironmEnt viSion 2030

nAtionAL committEE for EnvironmEnt coorDinAtion

WorKing grouP for Air QuALity mAnAgEmEnt (fEDErAL)

(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.

(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

(ScAD Administrative Decision (17), 2011)

follow-up on progress and results of Environment vision 2030. this committee has not met for a couple of years.

oversee Environment vision 2030 project. review main deliverables. Ensure implementation of the Environment vision 2030 Action Plan. this committee met only once.

(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.

(ministerial Decree (341), 2012)Propose policies and work plans related to air quality. review and evaluate air quality regulations. Suggest cooperation mechanisms between entities

StArt nAmE of committEE DEScriPtion

Jan-

09m

ar-1

1m

ay-1

120

08Ju

l-12

mar

-12

2011

13

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 Dhabi’s vision for ambient air quality management is defined in EnvironmentVision2030 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

management Strategy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi sets targets related to demand management for desalinated water,andrelatedtoimprovedefficiencyofdesalinatedwater 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. • TheFederalCabinetofMinistersDecreeNo.(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.

• LawNo. (8) that concerns the phasing-out of gasflaring.

1514 LAying out thE chALLEngES LAying out thE oPPortunitiES

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

Annual average no2 concentrations (µg/m3)

highest daily average no2 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

highest hourly average no2 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

Annual average So2 concentrations (µg/m3)

highest daily average So2 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

highest hourly average So2 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

highest 1-hour o3 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

8-hour o3 concentration measured in all stations in Abu Dhabi (µg/m3)

34 <40 <40

177 <150 <150

356 <400 <400

7.8 <60 <60

46 <150 <150

240 <350 <350

295 <200 <200

214 <120 <120

AmbiEnt Air QuALity outcomES Air PoLLutAnt mEASurES bASELinE (2010)

tArgEtS2018 2030

table 5: Ambient Air Quality targets for Abu Dhabi.

2030

Abu Dhabi Skyline

TheAirQualityandNoiseStrategyforAbuDhabidefinesactions 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

selecting the right investment opportunities and cost-effective air quality management policies and measures, in order to enhance associated benefits and mitigatecosts. 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.

Air QuALity StrAtEgy for Abu DhAbi-AmbiEnt Air QuALity comPonEnt

Policy and PlanningDevelop policy and planning support tools and studies suchascost-benefitanalysis,marginalabatementcostcurves, regulatory impact assessments.

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

Policy and Planningcreate Low-emissions Zones in urban areas.

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

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

Regulation improve building and maintenance codes for energy and water efficiency practices. Issue energy & waterefficiency product standards.

Incentives Introducecost-reflectiveandusagerelatedblocktariffsfor water and electricity.

Infrastructure & Operationsimplement Abu Dhabi’s Surface transportation master Plan. introduce uLSD in Abu Dhabi. convert 25% of governmentfleets toCNG.

Infrastructure & OperationsWater and energy demand management initiatives & reduction of distribution losses.

Infrastructure & OperationsInstal clean and efficient techniques for water andenergy production (renewables and nuclear energy).

Infrastructure & OperationsReduceflaringandfugitiveVOCemissionsfromoilandgas industry.

EnforcementExpand capacity of permitting, inspection and auditing department at EAD. Expansion of inspection and compliance tool and of risk characterization & hazard Evaluation System.

Enforcementreview and improve existing inspection and maintenance scheme for vehicles on air pollution and noise.

GovernanceAssess status of relevant memoranda of understanding,informal committees and working groups and ensureambient and indoor air quality have appropriate coordination mechanisms.

17LAying out thE oPPortunitiESLAying out thE oPPortunitiES16

Air Quality monitoring Station

Sectortargetsalsoneedtobedefinedfortransportation,industry,commercial,constructionanddemolition.

Energy and utilities

Waste management

Develop and transition to a renewable and low-carbon energy and utilities sector

Adopt innovative clean solution for water production in light of energy plans

Ensure effective control of air pollutant emissions from oil and gas production

Develop environmentally sound waste collection, transport and treatment options

Ensure proper waste disposal and reduce environmental impact on air

% of the Emirate’s total annual electricity generated using low-carbon and renewable energy

% of new desalinated water capacity using clean technologies (low carbon and renewables)

% of oil and gas facilities implementing effective emissions managing systems

%ofwastedivertedfromlandfillto most environmentally sound treatment or disposal

%oflandfilledwastedisposedofin sanitary disposal sites

0%

0

<5%

<5%

<20%

SEctor outcomES mEASurE

bASELinE (2010)

tArgEtS

2018 2030

table 6: Sector targets for air pollutant emissions reduction in Abu Dhabi.

25%

15-20%

70%

>80%

100%

30%

mAXimiZE

100%

>80%

100%

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 council’s EStiDAmA building requirments; and the health Authority - Abu Dhabi’s 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.

SeveralentitiesinAbuDhabihaveinitiativesinthefieldofindoor 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 government’s vision for indoor air quality in the Emirate ofAbu Dhabi, as defined in the Environmentvision 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 Dhabi’s indoor air quality outcomes and targets.

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

building and infrastructure

Asthma Awareness and Education

improve indoor air quality in new building environments

reduce asthma prevalence among Abu Dhabi residents

Percentage of new residential buildings that meet Estidama Standard

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

40%

10.7%

90%

<8%

100%

<5%

SEctor outcomES mEASurE

bASELinE (2011)

tArgEtS

2018 2030

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:

• Establishmentofindoorairqualitystandards,regulationsandconformityassessments.• Setting of requirements for monitoring and reporting of indoor air qualityparameters.

• Deliveryofawarenessandeducationalprogrammesandcampaigns.• DevelopmentofstudiesandresearchaboutindoorairqualityinAbuDhabi.• Buildingofhumanandinstitutionalcapacity.

LAying out thE oPPortunitiES18

indoor Air Quality

the Air Quality and noise Strategy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabidefinesactionsforindoorairqualityfortheperiodof 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

Regulationimprove legal framework on indoor air quality.

Regulationissue standards, labels, guidelines for construction

materials and other products to regulate indoor air pollutant emissions.

RegulationEstablish requirements for cleaning and maintenance

of A/c and ventilation ducts.

ResearchLink indoor air quality with public health. Develop database on building and construction materials

complying with Estidama requirements.

Incentivesoperate Estidama Programme.

Incentivesimplement and operate conformity scheme for

construction materials.

Enforcementnew lease check list and no-obligation letter/certificaterequirementsandprocedures.

AwarenessDevelop targeted awareness campaigns and

educational material on indoor air quality and health.

20 LAying out thE oPPortunitiES