According to the UN’s leading international body, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the land transport sector represents one of the world’s major environmental challenges, accounting for approximately 18 percent of all emissions from human activity.
In the UAE, the authorities have initiated several plans and procedures that contribute to significantly reducing emissions associated with this sector to reduce the negative impacts of the land transport sector on the environment and preserving its vital role in development. Among them are the expansion of mass transportation options, the creation of appropriate infrastructure to greatly promote the use of hybrid and electric cars, and the use of natural gas as fuel in many vehicles.
Public Transport
Public transportation has become an ideal option for a large number of residents in the country in recent years, as it is used by thousands of passengers annually at low prices, in addition to having a positive impact on the environment in terms of reducing carbon emissions and saving energy resources.
Dubai Metro has emerged as one of the most important pioneering projects in an integrated mass transit system, contributing to environmental preservation and carbon emission reductions, providing an easy and comfortable mode of transportation for residents, and supporting economic activities in the emirate.
According to the recent statistics, the metro is the preferred mode of transportation for Dubai residents, confirming its strategic value as a critical project that supports the emirate’s overall development trends.
Since its launch in September 2009, and until September 2020, Dubai Metro has transported more than 1.6 billion passengers, through 2.6 million trips, at a global journey punctuality rate of 99.7 percent.
Electric & Hybrid Cars
The number of electric and hybrid cars is increasing rapidly in the country, which is most evident in the taxi fleets in several emirates of the country, while reports have confirmed the increase in personal electric vehicles (PEV) in recent years.
As per the reports, “The UAE is the leader in the change towards independent electric cars in the region, as it has succeeded in converting approximately 20 percent of the car fleet of government departments to electric cars, and targets to enter about 42,000 electric cars on its streets by 2030.”
Reducing Pollutants
The UAE has set national standards for emissions levels resulting from land transport, including the air protection system to protect the environment from pollution issued according to Cabinet Resolution No. 37 of 2006 as part of the executive regulations for Federal Law No. 24 of 1999.
