While reduced oil prices are undoubtedly a concern for the emirate’s authorities, economic diversification efforts of recent years mean Abu Dhabi is well placed to weather a prolonged period of subdued prices. Vision 2030 meanwhile contains a raft of goals that will further reduce the emirate’s reliance on hydrocarbons, and continue to foster the emergence of a more sustainable and knowledge-based economy in the years ahead.
The federal government’s recent efforts to reduce the nation’s environmental impact have started to bear fruit. A three-year plan was announced in late 2014 for reusing 100% of recycled water. Currently Abu Dhabi treats all 800,000 cu metres of the wastewater generated daily, of which 60% is reused while 40% returns to sea. Meanwhile in early 2015 legal moves were made to endorse the expansion...
Thanks to business-friendly government policies implemented over the past 10 years Abu Dhabi is now home to a rapidly diversifying economy that is among the largest in the region, with GDP reaching a total of Dh952.68bn ($259.32bn) at current prices in 2014.
With Saudi Arabia’s 10th Development Plan the Kingdom has committed itself to responsible stewardship of the environment. The plan emphasises the importance of creating incentives and regulations that will underpin environmentally sustainable growth moving forward. Initiatives currently under way include moves towards more fuel-efficient cogeneration plants, carbon capture and storage, and...
The accession of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in January 2015 was the start of a new chapter for the Kingdom, and with the fall in global oil prices and continued regional turbulence there are undoubtedly challenges to be met. However, domestic stability, combined with the government’s commitment to major development projects and sustained focus on economic diversification, indicate a positive overall outlook for the country moving forward.
The UAE as a whole, of which Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate, ranked 25th in Yale University’s 2014 Environmental Performance Index, with the UAE scoring higher than any other Middle Eastern nation. Sustainability is a key focus moving forward and is included in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Since 2008, all new buildings in Abu Dhabi must comply with Estidama, the emirate’s sustainable...
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