Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi reports significant reduction in plastic consumption across emirate

admin07:41 06.05.2026

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has revealed the results of a public opinion survey on the emirate’s single-use plastics policy, launched by EAD in 2020 as a strategic step to promote environmental sustainability and reduce the negative effects of excessive plastic consumption. As one of the emirate’s pioneering initiatives launched to positively impact the whole of the UAE, the policy set an example that contributed to the national ban and regulation of plastic products at the federal level. The agency also revealed significant results achieved since the policy's launch, including: preventing the consumption of over 470 million single-use plastic bags, and reducing the number of bags at major retail outlets by up to 95 per cent. Additionally, approximately 267 million plastic bottles were collected either directly from homes or through more than 170 smart recycling machines located throughout the emirate. All of this helped prevent 7,386 tonnes of plastic from being diverted to landfill. The emissions avoided are estimated to be equivalent to removing 185,000 fuel-powered vehicles from the road for one year. Continuing this approach, in line with the national plastic ban implemented at the beginning of this year and in preparation for developing EAD's work to regulate the trade of single-use products, the agency conducted a survey. The results showed a significant increase in public awareness of the negative environmental impact of plastics. Over 5,000 people from 126 nationalities participated in the survey, with 96 per cent of respondents saying they were aware of the risks plastic poses to the environment. Furthermore, 96 per cent indicated their personal commitment to reducing plastic product use by adopting simple, sustainable daily practices, reflecting a positive shift in societal behaviour towards more responsible consumption patterns. This shift was not limited to the environmental aspect alone; it extended to the health dimension as well. 95 per cent of respondents confirmed their awareness of the health risks associated with using plastic products, reinforcing the trend toward adopting safer consumer choices. Participants also praised the clarity of the agency’s awareness messages, with 89 per cent expressing satisfaction with the campaigns and their effectiveness in raising public awareness. Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the EAD, said: “The results of this survey reflect the success of the agency’s efforts to raise environmental awareness among members of the community and confirm their commitment to adopting more sustainable consumption habits. The community’s knowledge of the environmental and health risks associated with plastics, and its positive response to adopted policies, motivates us to continue developing environmental programmes and initiatives. This is in line with Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals. These results represent an important basis for reviewing policies, developing future plans, enhancing the effectiveness of the single-use plastics policy, supporting innovation in environmentally friendly alternatives and establishing sustainability practices at the community level.” On both the economic and governance fronts, the survey revealed clear public support for environmentally friendly alternatives. 89 per cent of respondents considered the prices of alternative bags reasonable, while 88 per cent expressed support for directing revenue from bag fees towards environmental protection projects, reflecting a positive alignment between sustainability and financial responsibility. Furthermore, 95 per cent of those surveyed indicated that current procedures and laws are effective, affirming their confidence in the agency's decisions and the credibility of its adopted policies. These results reinforce recent national efforts, most notably the federal government's decision to ban single-use plastics, which embodies the country's commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment from the effects of excessive plastic use. The survey findings indicate a positive public response to this decision and to the adoption of consumer behaviours aligned with national goals to reduce plastic pollution. 93 per cent of participants expressed their overall satisfaction with the survey. EAD confirmed that the findings reflect the community’s commitment to the goals of the federal ban, contribute to establishing a culture of responsible consumption among different segments of society, and enhance Abu Dhabi’s leading position in the country’s efforts to reduce the use of plastic materials and protect the environment. These efforts ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is marking its 50th anniversary, following its establishment in 1976. Since its foundation, ADIA has evolved from a small team investing primarily in equities and bonds, into a globally diversified investment institution. Throughout, it has sought to balance continuous evolution with rigorous discipline in pursuit of its mission to secure the long-term prosperity of Abu Dhabi. This clarity of purpose can be traced back to the remarkable vision of its founding leaders, who empowered ADIA with long-term objectives driven solely by economic considerations. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of ADIA, said: “We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, and the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for their wisdom and foresight in creating ADIA. We are equally grateful for the unwavering support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our Chairman, whose vision continues to guide us. We also honour the contributions of those who came before us, including the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who worked tirelessly to build the strong foundations we stand upon today.” When ADIA was formed in 1976, His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi was named as Deputy Chairman, and His Excellency Mohammed Habroush Al Suwaidi as Managing Director, positions they held until 1997. For more than 20 years, they both served ADIA with distinction, playing vital roles in directing its growth and instilling a culture that endures today. Against a backdrop of constant change, ADIA has demonstrated its ability to identify and prudently respond to important new developments in the investing landscape. Prominent examples include early moves into new asset classes, such as its first investments in hedge funds in 1986, private equity in 1989, and infrastructure in 2007. In 1993, the introduction of a formal asset allocation process represented a key innovation and was a major driver of performance over the following decades. In recent years, ADIA has undergone an organisation-wide transformation that has increased its flexibility to target and capture new opportunities, both within and across traditional asset class boundaries. It has embraced quantitative and systematic techniques, enabled by new technologies, across the organisation. In 2020, ADIA established a Quantitative Research & Development unit to play a key role in its dynamic asset allocation process and to research, develop, and implement investment strategies. It created the Core Portfolio Department in 2021 to manage ADIA’s passive public equity and fixed income exposures, optimise rebalancing decisions and meet the liquidity and funding requirements of the total portfolio. To support greater operational agility, a multi-year transformation programme for investment support functions was completed in 2024. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The investing landscape in which we operate is both highly complex and inherently unpredictable, and the only certainty it provides is change. Against this backdrop, ADIA has prioritised scientific thinking, continuous learning and problem-solving as core skill sets. We regard research and development as vital to this process, providing a structured way to generate new insights and evolve our capabilities. By embedding this discipline as an organisational priority, we are positioning ADIA to adapt to a rapidly changing world.” Since its inception in 1976, ADIA has recruited and developed talent with a particular focus on UAE Nationals. Two years after its creation, ADIA introduced a scholarship programme that would grow to support thousands of UAE Nationals to pursue university education abroad over the years. Today, the programme is focused on supporting highly talented students with scholarships in science, technology, and mathematics related subjects. More recently, ADIA has also established partnerships with leading local universities to develop specialised Master’s degrees and other qualifications in applied mathematics and computational data science. Meanwhile, ADIA has contributed to Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global centre for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies through the creation of ADIA Lab. Launched in 2022, ADIA Lab is an independent institution focused on basic and applied research in data and computational sciences, led by an Advisory Board of Nobel laureates and global thought leaders. ADIA recognises that its success is built on a foundation of respectful and trusted collaboration with its many long-standing partners and counterparts. As a global investment institution, it also understands that it has an important role to play in contributing to a thriving investment ecosystem. To this end, it has remained an active member of the institutional investor community throughout its history. This is demonstrated through the long-standing, strong, and mutually beneficial partnerships it has built with many of the world’s leading financial institutions. These relationships have long been integral to ADIA’s success and remain so today, providing specialised skillsets, insights, and access to unique investment strategies that support its objectives. It was also evident in 2008 when ADIA was appointed as Co-Chair alongside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds. This work led to the signing of the Santiago Principles, a set of guidelines related to the governance, investment strategies, and risk management practices of Sovereign Wealth Funds around the world. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “ADIA has always placed significant importance on building partnerships with other like-minded investors. These enduring ties are rooted in mutual respect and a common understanding of what it takes to create lasting value. We recognise that the best insights often emerge through dialogue and collaboration. By working closely with our partners – and growing with them – we have built a network of knowledge that compounds over time, delivering value far beyond any single investment.” As ADIA looks ahead toward the next fifty years, it has built the internal capabilities to ensure that it can continue to adapt and evolve as the global investment landscape shifts. His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed al Nahyan said: “By remaining disciplined, drawing on the deep experience of our people, and continuing to learn and evolve, ADIA will remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us as an enduring pillar of Abu Dhabi’s growth and prosperity.”

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi reports significant reduction in plastic consumption across emirate

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