Environmental Master Plan for Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved the environmental plan for Dubai which includes several initiatives and projects scheduled for implementation in the near future to improve the environmental situation. The Dubai Government announced that it intends to commence with the implementation of a number of important plans and initiatives that focus on three main areas; natural reservations and resources, “green buildings” and integrated solid waste management. Approval of the environmental plan comes as part of the Dubai Strategic Plan, announced recently by His Highness and through which the government seeks to lay down the basis for a sustainable environmental development process to maintain the existing balance between the various elements of the environment – soil, land, air, water resources and biodiversity. This aims reduce the impact of human activities on the environment through a series of standards, controls and best practices, and will further support the quality of life and health of the citizens and residents of the emirate.

The first area of focus underlines the importance of Dubai preserving its natural resources, ecological system and reservations in order to maintain enduring natural resources that supports the tourism sector, which is a vital component of Dubai’s economy. The government will transform unclassified land that lies outside the border of the land development scheme into reservations dedicated for the protection of biodiversity and sanctuaries in the emirate. The government will survey these areas to identify their natural and social characteristics in order to define their uses within the emirate’s overall urban planning scheme which is undergoing studies and preparations by Dubai Urban Planning Committee.

The second area of focus is based on the government’s commitment to the concept of “green buildings”, which take into account the durability of a site’s design, efficiency of water and energy consumption, and the quality of the internal environment and the materials and resources employed. This comes as part of the government’s commitment to environmental rules and concepts as in line with international standards which aim to reduce pollution and consumption of natural resources, as well as reduce operational costs, enhance performance of buildings and create a healthy working and living environment. Accordingly, the Dubai Government will apply the concept of “green buildings” in the government’s future projects, facilities and buildings to preserve the environment in line with international environmental standards.

The third area of focus will revolve around the implementation of integrated solid waste management in Dubai, especially as waste products constitute a threat to the safety of the environment and natural resources. The Dubai Government has listed as a high priority the development and implementation of a mechanism for an integrated solid waste management, based on the world’s best practices that put strong emphasis on the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste to reduce the volume of waste that requires treatment and final disposal.

These initiatives come within the framework of realizing Dubai's strategic plan and the government pursuit of concerted efforts with the private sector to achieve the goals of the plan and to make Dubai a clean, attractive and environmentally friendly city.