The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) has unveiled the Abu Dhabi Environmental Centennial 2071, a shared, comprehensive environmental vision for the Emirate for the next 50 years, as well as its commitment to make Abu Dhabi the world’s best in environmental conservation.
The Centennial reinforces Abu Dhabi’s global position in environmental conservation by setting future visions, goals and plans that align with the future global megatrends and the UAE’s long-term visions, as well as future pressures, goals, and practices.
EAD has partnered with eight government agencies to help develop the Environmental Centennial 2071, in line with key sectors. These partnerships link environmental conservation efforts with the economy and investment opportunities through advanced technologies and sciences, setting a framework that enables vital sectors to realize common environmental trends.
EAD ran a public poll to understand the aspirations of the UAE people and captured more than 1,000 ideas that represented one of the Centennial’s key pillars and involved the public, private and academic sectors in the process to reflect various expertise and fields.
Dr. Shaikha Salem al Dhaheri Secretary-General EAD
“EAD realized that with the prospected acceleration in technological advancement and development, along with the increasing risks of climate change and the impact of global megatrends on the world’s population, it is important to develop a shared, integrated and flexible vision that leads future efforts so the next generations can enjoy nature and green development.”
The Centennial lays three key pathways that support the green transformation, with a total of 12 pillars, 33 goals, and 76 future programs. The Environmental Centennial 2071 has been designed based on the future megatrends.
The global megatrends taken into consideration when developing the Centennial include;
The world’s population will reach 10.6 billion in 2071, an increase of more than 25 percent which adds further pressure on natural and food resources.
The size of the global economy is expected to be four times larger than today, which will require 80 percent additional energy output if no action is taken on current consumption.
Rising sea levels will displace 1.4 billion people globally.
Global water demand is expected to increase by more than 55 percent, driven by increased manufacturing, thermal generation of electricity and domestic use.
Oil will be depleted by 2060.
Life expectancy is predicted to increase, and more than a quarter of OECD countries’ populations will be over 65 years old.
Desertification will intensify, leading to the displacement of more than 135 million people by the end of the 2050s.
Total food production is expected to increase by 70 percent by 2050.
Plastics in our oceans will outweigh marine animal populations, with more than 900 million tons of plastic expected to be in our seas by 2050.
