Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates - Literature review Example

Sustainability in UAE Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Sustainability in UAE Introduction Sustainability has emerged as a popular topic around the world. In the UAE, sustainability is an important element especially being one of countries with the largest oil reserves in the world. As a global leader in oil production and among the world’s developed countries, the UAE has in the recent past focused on increasing its sustainability efforts. The following paper aims at discussing the issue of suitability in the UAE including its importance, its reasons/root causes, effects, and resolutions. In general sustainability refers to developments, policies, and efforts feared towards meeting the needs of the current population and environment without threatening the ability of upcoming generations to accomplish their needs. Sustainability involves three main areas including the economy, society, and environment. According to Clyason, King, & Lynch (2015) sustainability has gained increased importance in UAE in the last half decade. In 2010, Dubai the capital of the UAE announced its goal of becoming among the most sustainable capitals in the world. The announcement was part of UAE’s core agendas in their EXPO 2020 strategies. In the recent past, the UAR made increased headlines being one of the least sustainable nations in the world. As one of the leading countries with increased oil deposits, UAE has urbanized and increased in terms of population. Previously, the UAE had one of the biggest carbon footprints globally while its population consumed increased energy and natural resources such as water. Currently, the UAE is working on a sustainable future, which is expected to impact its citizens, businesses, and government. Importance of Sustainability in UAE The importance of sustainability in the UAE is based on several issues. Based on the quick development and changes witnessed in the UAE, sustainability is more significant than ever. According to to Clyason, King & Lynch, (2015) there is no universal definition of sustainability, but it can be defined as existing within the means of the current environment, without damaging or exhausting the environment for the sake of future generations. This means that sustainability is relevant for everyone because it can offer opportunities as well as risks in the short and long-term. For the UAE to guarantee a successful future generation, sustainability should be considered as a key agenda. As the population increases, the UAE is set to increase housing development, social services, economic growth, and energy consumption. According to Clyason, King & Lynch, (2015) the main drivers of sustainability in the UAE include waste management, social policies, water management, air pollution, and carbon emissions. The significance of these drivers can be linked to increased conflict and political unrest due to limited resources and rising costs of accessing resources as well as services. Moreover, these drivers also affect daily the economic and social wellbeing of individuals and businesses Root Causes, Effects, and Solutions Sustainability in the UAE has been caused by numerous reasons. The main reason behind increased focus on sustainability in the UAE is the carbon footprint. According to Heroes of the UAE, (2015) approximately 76% of UAE’s environment produces carbon emission. Carbon emissions i9n the UAE are as a result of increased energy consumption. The UAE is ranked as the 5th largest energy consumer in the world (Heroes of the UAE, 2015). Being an arid land or desert, the UAE does not have many options in terms of land use. Therefore, most of their developments require increased energy to support its current population. One of the main energy consuming activities is water desalination. The UAE depends on the sea water that has to be processed to remove salt to meet water demands for its population. According to Heroes of the UAE, (2015) removing salt from sea water is an energy consuming process. In 2013, the UAE government estimated about 64.89 million tons of carbon dioxide were produced from water desalination (Radan, 2015). The effect of increased energy consumption for water supply results in increased carbon emissions, thus contributing to climate change and global warming. Most of the energy produced in the UAE is derived from burning fossil fuels. The issue of energy consumption is already being addressed by the UAE government with a focus on renewable energy. Through the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the government has already plans to sieve any further development of water desalination plants. By 2030, the UAE population is expected to triple, thus increased water usage. Nonetheless, the country will continue to depend on its water desalination plants. This is because its current dependence on ground water has resulted in almost total depletion of the vital resource. To sustain its future generation, the UAE government has focused on improving water conservancy through recycling. Additionally, new policies have been issues to enable increased energy and water conservation. One of the key projects undertaken by the government and other stakeholders is the Masdar City that focuses on developing a city that will be run by renewable energy such as solar and wind energy. Such a project is expected to illustrate that a city can depend on renewable energy for increased sustainability. According to Heroes of the UAE, (2015) an estimated 90% of carbon dioxide emitted in the UAE is caused by burning fossil fuels to create energy. Transportation is the second highest carbon emitting industry in the UAE. According to Radan (2015), 22% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UAE were from the transport sector. The UAE has about 1.5 million people and about 60% of the population owns a car. Moreover, the country has also invested hugely in the tourism industry with about 3 million tourists annually. This has resulted to increased air pollution from cars. Being a wealthy country, most of its citizens have the income to purchase cars with high fuel consumption. The result of increased car pollution is an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide is emitted from cars, which destroys the ozone layer that protects harmful rays from reaching the earth’s atmosphere. The destruction of the ozone layer in turn leads to high atmospheric temperatures that may lead to rise in the sea level. Additionally, car pollution is also a major contributor to health issues on the individual level. Nonetheless, the government has undertaken numerous steps to reduce car pollution. According to Sustainable Square, (2013), The UAE has invested in clean energy such as energy and environmentally efficient fuel. The fuel used in public transportation such as buses produces reduced sulphur waste compared to fuels used in commercial activities. Additionally, the UAE government has also developed a metro transportation system that uses electricity rather than fossil fuels. Moreover, the UAE has also increased infrastructure to support the use and movement of electric cars especially in Dubai. Policies have also been developed to help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cars. Among the main policies is to have all government cars become electric or hybrid cars to ensure increased reduction in carbon footprints. The UAE is also introducing alternative fuels such as natural gas to power car engines (Sustainable Square, 2013). These measures are all geared towards reducing the air and environmental pollution caused by cars and other transport systems. Another major root cause for the issues of sustainability in the UAE is the rapid growth and lifestyle of the country. Over the last decade, the UAE has developed at an alarming rate with increased focus in construction, financial sector, and tourism. The development of luxury hotels and shopping malls has turned Dubai into one of the world’s largest cities and tourist destinations. According to Alderman, (2010) growth and urbanization in Dubai was so rapid that the government or businesses did not take the environment into consideration. Despite being one of the largest cities in the world, Dubai is still ranked far behind in terms of sustainability. According to Alderman, (2010) in 2010 the UAE acknowledged that it rapid development increased the challenges of environmental protection for the next five years. The increased growth rate of the UAE has been attributed to increased oil discovery that has seen the country become very rich. The focus on luxury tourism has resulted in a luxurious lifestyle that has stressed UAE’s natural resources to the ground. One of the main effects of the rapid growth is threat to ground water. Buildings also lack the features required to conserve energy and water. The overall result is a large-scale consumption of resources while threatening the ability of future generations to support their livelihoods. Despite the rapid growth, the UAE has since learnt from the mistakes witnessed in Dubai. According to Alderman, (2010) the UAE government has since set up an environmental agency that monitors and collects statistics that can be used in enhancing sustainability. Another major step taken by the government is increasing public awareness on sustainability and environmental protection. Additionally, the government is also planning to focus on nuclear energy as an alternative energy source. All these plans are expected to enhance the UAE’s sustainability efforts. Recommendations As discussed earlier, sustainability is an important topic for the future of the UAE. Despite the numerous actions that the UAE has undertaken on different levels, additional recommendations can still help in sustainability efforts. On a citizen level, the people of UAE should embrace sustainable practices. This includes efficient use of water and energy while ensuring reduced harm to the environment by avoiding pollution at all costs. Citizens should also lead in adopting sustainable lifestyles by avoiding rich lifestyles that are unsustainable. Citizens should not purchase high fuel consuming cars to avoid the effects of climate change and global warming. At the government level, the UAE should adopt new strategies that deter its citizens and business from polluting the environment or depleting natural resources. One example is ensuring heavy taxation of high fuel consuming cars or companies. Moreover, the government should also increase public awareness on sustainability and environmental protection. The UAE should also invest in renewable energies by helping or offering financial incentives to private and public businesses that adopt use of alternative energy. Furthermore, the government should also offer an award for ideas, projects, and innovations that ensure increased sustainability. In conclusion, at the global level the UAE should consult with leading players in sustainability. Consulting with other nations can be helpful in achieving sustainability. Moreover, the government should partner with research institutes to develop global sustainability solutions. Another major strategy involves illustrating commitment by signing global sustainability policies, agreements, and organizations. Overall, the UAE has a long way to go in terms of sustainability. References Alderman, L., (2010). Dubai Faces Environmental Problems After Growth. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/business/energy-environment/28dubai.html?_r=1 Clayson, N, King, A. & Lynch, L., (2015). 10 things to know about sustainability in the UAE. Retrieved from http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/knowledge/publications/125011/10-things-to-know-about-sustainability-in-the-uae Heroes of UAE, (2015). The Problem. Retrieved from http://business.heroesoftheuae.ae/en/section/the-problem Radan, S., (2015). Tackle Transport, make Cities Pollution Free. Retrieved from http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2015/January/nationgeneral_January192.xml§ion=nationgeneral Sustainable Square, (2013). Sustainable Transportation: Eye on the United Arab Emirates. Retrieved from http://sustainablesquare.com/sustainable-transportation-eye-on-the-united-arab-emirates-2/ Read More

The effect of increased energy consumption for water supply results in increased carbon emissions, thus contributing to climate change and global warming. Most of the energy produced in the UAE is derived from burning fossil fuels. The issue of energy consumption is already being addressed by the UAE government with a focus on renewable energy. Through the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the government has already plans to sieve any further development of water desalination plants. By 2030, the UAE population is expected to triple, thus increased water usage.

Nonetheless, the country will continue to depend on its water desalination plants. This is because its current dependence on ground water has resulted in almost total depletion of the vital resource. To sustain its future generation, the UAE government has focused on improving water conservancy through recycling. Additionally, new policies have been issues to enable increased energy and water conservation. One of the key projects undertaken by the government and other stakeholders is the Masdar City that focuses on developing a city that will be run by renewable energy such as solar and wind energy.

Such a project is expected to illustrate that a city can depend on renewable energy for increased sustainability. According to Heroes of the UAE, (2015) an estimated 90% of carbon dioxide emitted in the UAE is caused by burning fossil fuels to create energy. Transportation is the second highest carbon emitting industry in the UAE. According to Radan (2015), 22% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UAE were from the transport sector. The UAE has about 1.5 million people and about 60% of the population owns a car.

Moreover, the country has also invested hugely in the tourism industry with about 3 million tourists annually. This has resulted to increased air pollution from cars. Being a wealthy country, most of its citizens have the income to purchase cars with high fuel consumption. The result of increased car pollution is an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide is emitted from cars, which destroys the ozone layer that protects harmful rays from reaching the earth’s atmosphere.

The destruction of the ozone layer in turn leads to high atmospheric temperatures that may lead to rise in the sea level. Additionally, car pollution is also a major contributor to health issues on the individual level. Nonetheless, the government has undertaken numerous steps to reduce car pollution. According to Sustainable Square, (2013), The UAE has invested in clean energy such as energy and environmentally efficient fuel. The fuel used in public transportation such as buses produces reduced sulphur waste compared to fuels used in commercial activities.

Additionally, the UAE government has also developed a metro transportation system that uses electricity rather than fossil fuels. Moreover, the UAE has also increased infrastructure to support the use and movement of electric cars especially in Dubai. Policies have also been developed to help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cars. Among the main policies is to have all government cars become electric or hybrid cars to ensure increased reduction in carbon footprints. The UAE is also introducing alternative fuels such as natural gas to power car engines (Sustainable Square, 2013).

These measures are all geared towards reducing the air and environmental pollution caused by cars and other transport systems. Another major root cause for the issues of sustainability in the UAE is the rapid growth and lifestyle of the country. Over the last decade, the UAE has developed at an alarming rate with increased focus in construction, financial sector, and tourism. The development of luxury hotels and shopping malls has turned Dubai into one of the world’s largest cities and tourist destinations.

According to Alderman, (2010) growth and urbanization in Dubai was so rapid that the government or businesses did not take the environment into consideration.

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