Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Impacts in

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Impacts in the United Arab Emirates Suaad Al- Harthi Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi September 21, 2010

Contents: § UAE Country and Coastal Ecosystems Overview § Efforts toward Climate Change at the Federal Level § Sea Level Rise Scenarios § Taking Action § Status of Climate Change Policy in UAE

Country and Coastal Ecosystems Overview

Ecosystem Stress and Vulnerability Extreme temperature and salinity p Arid, not much freshwater recharge p Anthropogenic pressures p El Nino events p Climate Change and Sea Level Rise p

The 1 st and 2 nd National Communication Report

Main Chapters of the National Communication Report: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. National Circumstances National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Vulnerability and Adaptation Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Steps to Implement the Convention

Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability & Adaptation

Sea Level Rise Scenarios: Scenario 1: No accelerated ice cap melting • 2050: 1 meters above mean sea level • 2100: 2 meters above mean sea level Scenario 2: Accelerated ice cap melting • 2050: 3 meters above mean sea level • 2100: 9 meters above mean sea level

Inundation in km 2 for sea level rise of: Emirate UAE 1 m 1, 155 2 m 3 m 9 m Results 1, 519 2, 045 4, 984 Areas Inundated were quantified 1 m – much of Abu Dhabi remains above water 3 m – several offshore islands are visibly underwater and inland flooding extensive 9 m – total land area of 4984 km 2 inundated Ø Human infrastructure constrains ability of coastal ecosystems to adapt 2/24/2021

Climate Change Impacts on UAE Coastal Zones Water Resources • Sabkha inundation • Increased stress on water supply systems • Mangrove retreat and inundation • Erosion • Threatened water supplies 1) The Climate Change to and urban areas Impacts, Vulnerability Adaptation • Possible changes to sensitive ecosystems • Seagrass loss and migration • Coral reef mortality and bleaching • Increased storm frequency Dryland ecosystems The disappearance of some species of plants and animals threatened with extinction

Taking Action 1. Development of National and Local Climate Change Policy 2. Observation Networks 3. GHG Inventory and Mitigation Initiatives 4. Sustainable Management of Water Resources 5. Sustainable Management of Biodiversity 6. Awareness and Capacity Building

Adaptation In Coastal Zones Develop strategic information systems Monitoring , Analysis, Planning Ø Tide Gauges Ø Indicators Ø Track erosion and inundation Implement win-win strategies ICZM Protection Awareness building Modest Adaptation

1. Masdar Initiative 2. Estidama Initiative 3. Carbon Capture and Storage 4. CNG as an alternative fuels 4. Clean transportation alternatives 5. Other programs

Status of Climate Change Policy in UAE: Ø The direction was to postpone the approval of “Abu Dhabi Climate Change Policy” till after Copenhagen Co. P (Dec, 2009) Ø The new direction after Copenhagen Co. P was to develop a NATIONAL POLICY For CLIMATE CHANGE at the federal level. Ø A new Division was established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called “Directorate of Energy and Climate Change” Ø A higher committee has been established to develop the “National Policy for Climate Change”: Ø Ministry of Environment and Water Ø Ministry of Energy Ø Ministry of Foreign affairs Ø An executive committee will be established involving key authorities in each emirate (EAD, SPC, Dubai Municipalities…etc) **********

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