The Middle East

To protect key habitats and species from the impact of rapid development, the authorities have designated some parts of the emirate as special protected areas under a programme that is managed by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD). There are currently six main such areas, divided between three terrestrial protected areas (TPA) and three marine protected areas (MPA...

International rankings suggest that the natural environment in Abu Dhabi is comparatively well protected by global standards. The UAE as a whole, of which Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in terms of size, ranked 25th out of 178 countries in Yale University’s 2014 Environmental Performance Index, which scored countries based on their environmental health, ecosystem...

Agriculture accounted for 71% of water consumption in Abu Dhabi in 2012, including all groundwater and recycled wastewater consumption, according to figures from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi. Due to its arid climate the UAE has the third-lowest per capita level of renewable fresh water resources in the world, according to World Bank data, and in Abu Dhabi farming...

Although agriculture comprises only a small proportion of the emirate’s GDP, the authorities regard it as an important sector from a number of perspectives including its potential to aid economic diversification, which is a key element of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, as well as its role in helping to perpetuate key elements of local culture, environment and...

Historically, the development of agriculture in Abu Dhabi has been driven in large part by government investment and support, including the provision of free water and infrastructure, and subsidies for inputs. This approach continues today, with the government playing an important role through organisations such as the Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre (ADFSC) and the...