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The impact of population growth and steady economic development in the UAE has been evident in increased waste generation and chemical usage rates. The per capita municipal solid waste generation in the country reached about 2.1 kg/day, before falling to around 1.8 kg/day, one of the highest in the world.

In spite of the enormous efforts made by the concerned authorities in the UAE to reduce this rate and limit the negative effects of waste and chemicals, it remains one of the priority issues. The UAE government is taking measures to meet its ambitious target of diverting 75% of municipal solid waste away from landfills by 2021, under the National Agenda – UAE Vision 2021. This cannot be met without raising awareness and innovative solutions and technologies.

MOCCAE is working to achieve this goal by strengthening partnerships between the government and the private sector to launch initiatives that aim at transforming waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource by focusing on the development of the recycling industry and the transformation of waste into energy. The Ministry also seeks to better organize chemicals trading and uses through the National Strategy for Integrated Management of Chemicals, adopted by the first session of the UAE Government's annual meetings in September 2017.

Legislations

  • Ministerial Decree No. (98) of 2019 On using Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) produced from waste treatment procedures in cement plants [Arabic]
    Ministerial Decree No. (98) of 2019 On using Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) produced from waste treatment procedures in cement plants [Arabic]
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  • Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 On the Integrated Waste Management
    Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 On the Integrated Waste Management
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  • Federal Law No 24 of 1999 On the Protection and Development of the Environment
    Federal Law No 24 of 1999 On the Protection and Development of the Environment
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Conventions

Bulletins / Guides

Terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A

Agenda 21

Programme of action on sustainable development adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, often referred to as the “Blueprint for Sustainable Development”.
Agenda 21 has 40 chapters dealing with all aspects of sustainable development including social and economic dimensions (combating poverty and promoting human health), conservation and resource management, major groups (e.g. women, indigenous people, business and unions) and means of implementation (e.g. financial resources, transfer of technology, public awareness and education).
B

Best environmental practice

The application of the most appropriate combination of environmental
control measures and strategies.

Best available technique

Most effective and advanced technique, the environmental impacts of
which are limited.
H

HFC

Hydrofluorocarbons. Regulated under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol as well as under the Montreal Protocol.

Hazardous wastes

Wastes that exhibit one or more hazardous characteristics, such as being flammable, oxidizing, poisonous, infectious, corrosive or ecotoxic (Basel Convention).
P

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Also referred to as POPs. Chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods of time. Regulated under the Stockholm Convention.
S

SAICM

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. Approach developed on the basis of an open-ended consultative process involving representatives of all stakeholder groups, jointly convened by the Inter-
Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and UNEP. Adopted in 2006.

Sustainability

A dynamic process that guarantees the persistence of natural and human systems in an equitable manner. Sustainable development (SD): Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987)

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