Introduction
The fourth pillar of We the UAE 2031, officially titled Forward Ecosystem, addresses advanced infrastructure, smart government, and the environmental sustainability challenge that defines the current era of global development. This pillar establishes targets for clean energy deployment, emissions reduction, water security, biodiversity protection, circular economy adoption, climate adaptation, sustainable transport, and green building standards. The pillar represents a fundamental acknowledgement by one of the world’s major hydrocarbon exporters that long-term prosperity requires a deliberate and managed transition toward environmental sustainability.
The UAE’s environmental strategy operates within a tension that is central to many resource-rich nations: the need to maximise present-day revenues from fossil fuel production while simultaneously investing in the infrastructure and systems that will sustain the economy after the hydrocarbon era. We the UAE 2031 addresses this tension directly, positioning environmental sustainability not as a constraint on economic growth but as a driver of new industries, technologies, and competitive advantages.
Net Zero 2050
The UAE committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a target announced in October 2021 and reinforced through the hosting of COP28 in 2023. The Net Zero Strategic Initiative 2050 establishes a phased pathway for decarbonisation across all sectors of the economy, supported by an investment commitment of AED 600 billion in clean energy through 2050.
The decarbonisation pathway involves three parallel tracks. The first is the expansion of zero-carbon electricity generation through nuclear, solar, wind, and hydrogen. The second is the electrification and efficiency improvement of end-use sectors including transport, industry, and buildings. The third is the development of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies to address residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.
The UAE’s Net Zero target is notable for its ambition relative to the federation’s economic profile. As a major oil and gas exporter, the UAE generates a significant share of its GDP and government revenues from hydrocarbon production. The Net Zero commitment applies to domestic emissions rather than embedded emissions in exported hydrocarbons, a distinction that aligns with standard international accounting conventions but remains a subject of ongoing policy debate.
Barakah Nuclear Energy
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, represents the Arab world’s first commercial nuclear power programme. Operated by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and its subsidiary Nawah Energy Company, the plant comprises four APR-1400 reactor units with a combined capacity of approximately 5.6 gigawatts (GW).
| Barakah Reactor | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 1.4 GW | Operational (2021) |
| Unit 2 | 1.4 GW | Operational (2022) |
| Unit 3 | 1.4 GW | Operational (2023) |
| Unit 4 | 1.4 GW | Operational (2024) |
At full capacity, Barakah supplies approximately 25% of Abu Dhabi’s electricity demand and avoids an estimated 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The plant represents a cornerstone of the UAE’s baseload clean energy strategy, providing reliable zero-carbon electricity that complements intermittent solar and wind resources.
The nuclear programme has also generated significant human capital development benefits. ENEC has trained hundreds of Emirati nuclear engineers, operators, and safety specialists, creating a cadre of technical professionals with globally transferable skills. The programme was developed in full compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards and non-proliferation requirements.
Masdar and Renewable Energy
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company, has evolved from a single eco-city project into a global renewable energy developer with a portfolio spanning more than 40 countries. Masdar’s total renewable energy capacity exceeds 20 GW globally, with significant holdings in solar, wind, and waste-to-energy assets.
Domestically, Masdar anchors the UAE’s solar energy deployment. The company developed and operates the Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant (100 MW) and holds equity in major photovoltaic installations across the federation. Masdar City, the company’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, serves as a living laboratory for sustainable urban design and a free zone for clean technology companies.
Under We the UAE 2031, Masdar’s mandate has been expanded to encompass green hydrogen production, energy storage, and the development of offshore wind resources. The company’s planned expansion to a portfolio of 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 positions it among the world’s largest clean energy companies.
Al Dhafra Solar
The Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, located in Abu Dhabi, holds the distinction of being the world’s largest single-site solar power plant. With a capacity of approximately 2 GW, the project produces electricity sufficient to power roughly 160,000 households and displaces approximately 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The project was developed through a public-private partnership between Abu Dhabi’s TAQA and Masdar on one side, and a consortium of international developers on the other. The tariff achieved during the competitive bidding process set a world record for solar electricity costs at the time of award, demonstrating the UAE’s ability to leverage its solar irradiance advantage and scale to achieve globally competitive clean energy pricing.
| Clean Energy KPI | Current Baseline | 2031 Target |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Energy Capacity (Total) | 14.2 GW | 19.8 GW |
| Clean Energy Share of Electricity Mix | 32% | 50%+ |
| Nuclear Capacity | 5.6 GW | 5.6 GW |
| Solar Capacity (Installed) | 6.1 GW | 10 GW |
| Annual CO2 Avoided (Clean Energy) | 45 Mt | 80 Mt |
| Green Hydrogen Production | Pilot Phase | 1.4 Mt/year |
| CCUS Capacity | 0.8 Mtpa | 5 Mtpa |
Hydrogen Strategy
The UAE National Hydrogen Strategy, launched in 2023, positions the federation as a global hub for low-carbon hydrogen production and export. The strategy encompasses both green hydrogen (produced from renewable electricity via electrolysis) and blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage).
ADNOC has committed to building one of the world’s largest blue hydrogen production facilities, leveraging its existing natural gas processing infrastructure and the Al Reyadah carbon capture facility. Masdar is developing green hydrogen projects domestically and in partnership with international counterparts. The combined target is to capture approximately 25% of key global hydrogen export markets by 2031, with production capacity of 1.4 million tonnes per annum.
Hydrogen applications targeted under the strategy include industrial feedstock (ammonia, methanol, steel), heavy transport fuel (shipping, aviation, long-haul trucking), and power generation balancing. The UAE’s geographic position on major east-west shipping routes, combined with its existing port and pipeline infrastructure, provides logistical advantages for hydrogen export.
Water Security
Water scarcity is an existential challenge for the UAE, which receives an average of less than 100 millimetres of rainfall annually and relies heavily on desalinated seawater for municipal supply. Desalination accounts for approximately 42% of total water supply, with groundwater extraction, treated wastewater reuse, and dam storage providing the remainder.
The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 establishes targets for reducing per-capita water demand, increasing desalination efficiency, expanding treated wastewater reuse, and building strategic water reserves. The transition from thermal desalination (energy-intensive multi-stage flash and multi-effect distillation) to reverse osmosis technology is a key efficiency measure, reducing the energy intensity of water production by approximately 75%.
Strategic water storage targets call for the development of aquifer storage and recovery systems capable of providing emergency supply for at least 16 days. The Liwa Aquifer Storage and Recovery project, operated by Abu Dhabi’s EWEC, is one of the world’s largest artificial groundwater recharge schemes.
Biodiversity and Natural Heritage
Despite its arid climate, the UAE hosts significant biodiversity assets including marine ecosystems, mangrove forests, desert habitats, and migratory bird corridors. The federation’s territorial waters support coral reef systems, sea turtle nesting sites, and dugong populations. The Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated site, protects a critical marine habitat west of Abu Dhabi.
Under We the UAE 2031, biodiversity protection targets include the expansion of marine protected areas, the restoration of mangrove forests (with a target of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030), the establishment of wildlife corridors, and the strengthening of species recovery programmes for threatened fauna including the Arabian oryx, houbara bustard, and hawksbill turtle.
Circular Economy
The National Circular Economy Policy, launched in 2024, targets the transition from a linear take-make-dispose model to one that minimises waste, extends product lifecycles, and recovers materials for reuse. Priority sectors include construction and demolition waste (which constitutes the largest waste stream by volume), food waste, plastics, and electronic waste.
Waste-to-energy facilities, including the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant and the Dubai Waste Management Centre, convert non-recyclable waste into electricity. The target is to divert 75% of municipal solid waste from landfills by 2031, up from approximately 40% at the time of the vision’s announcement.
Sustainable Transport
Transport decarbonisation is pursued through multiple channels: the expansion of rail infrastructure (Etihad Rail), metro system extensions in Dubai and planned systems in Abu Dhabi, electric vehicle adoption incentives, and the development of sustainable aviation fuel capacity.
Etihad Rail, the UAE’s national railway, connects the federation’s ports, industrial zones, and population centres across a 900-kilometre network. The railway reduces freight dependence on road transport, cutting emissions per tonne-kilometre by approximately 70% compared to trucking. Passenger services, planned for the later phases of the project, will further reduce private vehicle dependence.
The UAE Green Building Regulations, adopted across all emirates, mandate energy efficiency standards, water conservation measures, and sustainable materials usage in new construction. The Estidama Pearl Rating System in Abu Dhabi and the Al Safat green building rating in Dubai provide certification frameworks that incentivise above-code performance.
Conclusion
The sustainability pillar of We the UAE 2031 demonstrates that the federation views environmental stewardship as compatible with and complementary to economic prosperity. The scale of investment in nuclear, solar, hydrogen, and efficiency technologies positions the UAE as a credible leader in the global energy transition, while the focus on water security, biodiversity, and circular economy addresses the environmental vulnerabilities inherent to an arid, rapidly developing nation. The pillar’s success will be measured not only by emissions reductions and energy capacity metrics but by the degree to which it establishes a replicable model for other resource-dependent economies navigating the transition to sustainability.