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ERWDA says it will stop anti-environment projects
Surprise visits to facilities to ensure they meet environment standards
Abu Dhabi’s top environment body has vowed to stop any project if it does not abide by rules aimed at preventing pollution in the emirate.
The Environment Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) said it remained committed to such rules and affirmed that it would continue surprise raids against any project or facility to ensure they meet environment standards.
In an interview with Reflex Publishing, ERWDA’s Secretary General Majid Al Mansouri said his agency is involved in numerous projects to protect the environment, maintain ecological balance on land and in the sea and ensure a clean atmosphere in the country.
He stressed that while ERWDA is responsible for environment matters in Abu Dhabi, it is undertaking that role in close coordination with the Federal Environment Agency.
What is ERWDA’s policy regarding projects that will be set up in Abu Dhabi? Do they need prior approval so they will meet environmental standards?
All planned private, semi-governmental and governmental projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi should be permitted by ERWDA and should follow the permitting procedures prior to the construction phase of the project. Permitting procedures differ from one project to another based on the type and capacity of the project in addition to the surrounding environment. Some projects receive the approval without requiring any environmental studies, while others may require an Environmental
Impact Assessment or a Preliminary Environmental Review. The required environmental studies must be prepared by an approved and registered environmental consultant and be reviewed by ERWDA technical staff for approval or refusal.
If the project is approved, the environmental permit will be issued with general and specific environmental conditions. On the other hand, if the project or the submitted study does not meet ERWDA standards, it will be refused with a technical report that states the reasons behind the refusal.
Are there any measures to ensure all companies meet those standards (i.e. penalties, refusal of license...)?
When any new project or an existing facility gets the environmental permit, all general and specific environmental conditions should be followed and all requirements and environmental standards have to be taken into consideration. If they fail to follow the environmental conditions and standards, the project will be stopped during the construction phase until the situation is changed and the requirements are met.
Specific existing facilities are required to develop an environmental action plan to correct the environmental situation and upgrade the environmental performance to meet the set limits and standards.
ERWDA has a dedicated Inspection Section that performs scheduled and surprise visits to make sure that all facilities and projects are complying with the environmental permit and standards.
All the permitted activities should follow Federal Law No. 24 for 1999 and its executive order rules and articles, to measure the environmental parameters that can effect the environment. ERWDA has the authority to ask the projects to perform these measures though permitted environmental consultants.
Is this policy being adhered to by all companies?
As per Federal Law No. 24 for 1999, ERWDA is the competent authority for the protection of the environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Therefore, all companies should follow this law as well as ERWDA permitting procedures and environmental standards.
The inspection team performs a routine check and inspection of all permitted companies and projects and makes sure that they are following the environmental conditions.
What impact does this policy have on the environment in the emirate?
The main impact is the protection of Abu Dhabi Emirate through the following:
a. Monitoring and control of all emissions from different projects and existing plants to achieve good air quality in Abu Dhabi environment.
b. Monitoring and control of all discharges to marine environment and surrounded land from projects and existing facilities. Therefore, marine environment and ground water are protected.
c. Control all types of waste generated and agree on the method and location of disposal.
d. Management and control through collecting an environmental database from facilities (i.e. waste types, quantities and final disposal location, emission source, quantity and concentration, location of the industry, the sensitivity of the project surrounding areas, etc.)
What about oil companies? Are they covered by such rules and are they cooperating in this field?
ADNOC and its group of companies have been in this field for decades, which enabled them to develop their own Health, Safety and Environment Systems that are specific to their operations and concession areas. These HSE systems are being implemented through a dedicated HSE department within ADNOC, in close coordination with ERWDA.
Is there any cooperation in this respect with the Federal Environment Agency (FEA). How?
The establishment of FEA, the first agency dealing with environmental issues at the federal level, was a remarkable event in the efforts directed towards the protection of the environment in the UAE. This establishment has been backed by the issue of environmental legislation, involving several separate laws. Some apply at a Federal level, others only at the Emirate level.
On a Federal level, the FEA produced the first UAE wide environmental legislation when it issued Federal Law No. 24 for 1999 on the Protection and Development of the Environment.
The Fisheries Law No. 23 for 1999 on Protection and Development of Marine Resources is yet another law, which was issued to streamline fishing procedures and preserve and develop the country’s marine resources and environment by encouraging traditional methods of fishing.
In line with this clear policy, there are regulatory bodies in the individual emirates operating alongside the FEA. In Abu Dhabi Emirate, ERWDA is the “Competent Authority” for environment and wildlife issues in the Emirate. The Agency takes full responsibility on various environmental issues related to Abu Dhabi Emirate but does so in close coordination with the FEA and integration of efforts, coupled with a unified legislation and approach at the national level.
ERWDA is also a member of the Environment Coordination Committee which is chaired by the FEA with the membership of competent authorities in the other emirates. The committee holds regular meetings to discuss ways of enhancing environmental work among these concerned agencies.
Are there any new plans or projects by ERWDA to protect the environment both onshore and offshore?
ERWDA, through its different centres, initiates and undertakes various programmes and projects all geared towards the protection of environment, wildlife and biological diversities. Each program and project is carefully planned and implemented through a well designed and established approach using ERWDA’s expertise in scientific research and advanced laboratory facilities. ERWDA is responsible for the management and development of these projects, some of which are being developed in collaboration with multi-national companies with support coming from other governmental agencies.
ERWDA is focusing its effort toward achieving its strategic goals of the Environmental Strategy, which was developed by the Agency to identify and address the environmental needs of the emirate over five years (2003 to 2007).
The strategic goals and actions proposed in the plan address the true needs of the emirate over the next five years. It also focuses on the efforts and resources of the agency and its partners, to formulate a vision for the environment of the emirate.
The strategy is expected to benefit the Emirate in several ways. Both now and in the future, the strategy provides a framework within which ERWDA and the partner organisations can project goals, objectives, and tasks. The strategy can be an effective tool for decision making in the evaluation of proposed and existing programs and projects.
The ultimate benefit expected from the proposed goals and actions is a better environment – the fulfillment of the vision presented in the preface. The plan is focused to that end. The expected benefits include achieving a quality environment by maintaining clean air and a clean coast, utilising freshwater in a way that sustains its resources, sustaining the biodiversity of the Emirate and protecting and nurturing all endangered species, developing sustainable fisheries and improving and enforcing regulations for use of agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers.
It also seeks to control emissions of harmful chemicals into the air and water, and also into the soil through solid waste.
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