UAE Makes Climate History with First Emissions Law in Middle East; Greenpeace Applauds ‘Bold Leap’
In a landmark move for the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has introduced a new law mandating public and private companies to monitor and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions — a first in the region and a significant step toward its 2050 net-zero target.
The new legislation, which requires regular emissions reporting and reductions, will penalize non-compliant entities with fines of up to 2 million dirhams ($545,000). The UAE, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, is now positioning itself as a regional leader in climate action.
Greenpeace MENA welcomed the move, calling it a “bold leap toward regional climate leadership.” Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, described the law as a “progressive step”, noting that it institutionalizes emissions monitoring and climate adaptation practices.
“By institutionalising emissions monitoring and climate adaptation, the UAE is setting a compelling example for countries across the region,” Nakat said.
While applauding the initiative, Greenpeace urged the UAE to set clear reduction targets for major polluting sectors such as energy and transport.
The UAE has already committed to net-zero domestic carbon emissions by 2050 and, in its latest UN-submitted climate roadmap, pledged to cut emissions by 47% of 2019 levels by 2035.
This announcement follows the UAE’s role as host of the COP28 United Nations climate summit in 2023, reinforcing its ambition to lead in environmental reform across the Gulf region.
