A new UAE climate law that requires companies to keep emission levels in check or face fines has been hailed as a "pivotal shift" for the country.
Federal Decree-Law No 11 of 2024 on Reduction of the Effects of Climate Change, which came into effect on Friday, mandates emissions reporting and climate adaptation measures across all sectors, from heavy industry to health care and energy, as well as small private enterprises in free zones. For the first time, climate action is not simply encouraged in the UAE, it is legally required.
Under the legislation, companies must submit regular emissions reports to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, develop decarbonisation plans aligned with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 strategy and establish greenhouse gas monitoring systems that adhere to international standards. Those failing to comply could face fines of up to Dh2 million ($544,588).
"This law marks a pivotal shift in the regulatory landscape," said Antonios Vouloudis, senior director of sustainability and stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi. "Climate action is no longer a voluntary effort. It is a legal requirement and a critical element of long-term business resilience and competitiveness."
Industry experts believe the initial enforcement of the legislation may focus on large emitters. The most affected sectors include energy, manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics – all with carbon-intensive supply chains and infrastructure.
But the legislation "applies to everyone, even free zones", said Amer Arafat of sustainability consultancy Element Six. "It is the most significant change to corporate accountability since financial audits were made mandatory," he added.
Critical green strategy
The logic of the law is clear. With 85 per cent of the UAE's population and infrastructure located in coastal zones vulnerable to rising sea levels, and models projecting a 2°C rise in average global temperatures by 2040, the UAE is focused on sustainability.
"This law reflects the UAE's leadership in climate governance," Mr Vouloudis said. "It sends a clear signal that climate responsibility must be built into national development and private enterprise alike."
Offsetting as an option
The law establishes a National Carbon Credit Registry to enable carbon trading and shadow carbon pricing, promoting market-driven emissions reductions.
"While offsetting can help entities achieve compliance, its effectiveness depends on the integrity of offset projects and proper regulation to avoid greenwashing," Dr Aseel Takshe, acting dean at the Canadian University Dubai, told The National. "However, offsetting is generally considered a supplementary measure – direct emissions reductions and clean technology adoption remain the primary focus for achieving net zero."
Dr Takshe believes the introduction of the law opens new avenues for collaboration between academia, government and industry, particularly in efforts to protecting public health and infrastructure.
"The law offers opportunities to contribute research, innovation and expertise in areas such as climate risk assessment, health impact modelling and sustainable urban planning," she added.
Climate shifts emphasise urgency
Recent scientific research underscores the need to act. Dr Diana Francis, a climate scientist at Khalifa University, recently co-wrote a study attributing last year's historic flooding in the UAE to climate change fuelled by human activity. "Extreme events like this will become more common," Dr Francis said.
As well as last year's heavy downpour, April 2025 was the hottest on record in the UAE. "We're witnessing the fingerprints of climate change in our daily weather patterns, not just over decades, but over months," she added.
Challenges for business
Businesses, meanwhile, face a steep learning curve. Many are still unfamiliar with frameworks for measuring emissions and few have in-house sustainability teams. "Think of it like your financial reporting," Mr Arafat said. "You'll need audits, disclosures and probably external consultants until capacity builds internally."
Mr Vouloudis said it would be important for business to receive support. "The ministry's commitment to sector-specific workshops and guidance materials is promising, but it must scale quickly," he said. "Capacity-building, especially for small businesses, is vital."
For consumers, the legislation could lead to greater transparency about the carbon footprints of goods and services. Companies must now publicly disclose emissions and their progress towards reduction targets.
"It will minimise greenwashing," Mr Vouloudis said. "Only verified, compliant claims will stand. That empowers citizens to make informed, climate-conscious choices."
Progressive law praised
Greenpeace Mena lauded the move as "bold and progressive" and looked for further steps, including clear emissions caps and the prioritisation of clean energy over carbon capture.
Mr Vouloudis echoed that sentiment. "This is the scaffolding. The next step is to operationalise it through clarity, enforcement and incentives, especially for those willing to go beyond compliance."
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
Jetour T1 specs
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Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
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Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
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UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira), Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah), Mahmoud Khamis (Al Nasr), Yousef Jaber (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalifa Al Hammadi (Jazira), Salem Rashid (Jazira), Shaheen Abdelrahman (Sharjah), Faris Juma (Al Wahda), Mohammed Shaker (Al Ain), Mohammed Barghash (Wahda), Abdulaziz Haikal (Shabab Al Ahli), Ahmed Barman (Al Ain), Khamis Esmail (Wahda), Khaled Bawazir (Sharjah), Majed Surour (Sharjah), Abdullah Ramadan (Jazira), Mohammed Al Attas (Jazira), Fabio De Lima (Al Wasl), Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Khalfan Mubarak (Jazira), Habib Fardan (Nasr), Khalil Ibrahim (Wahda), Ali Mabkhout (Jazira), Ali Saleh (Wasl), Caio (Al Ain), Sebastian Tagliabue (Nasr).
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
