UAE approves 22 policies to expedite transition to circular economy

The UAE Circular Economy Council has approved 22 policies that focus on accelerating the implementation of the circular economy model in the country.

The policies will focus on four main sectors – manufacturing, food, infrastructure, and transport. The council that convened its second meeting of 2022, also identified at least 16 circular economy activities that open opportunities for businesses, such as upcycling textile waste into new products, developing automated artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled waste management solutions, and remanufacturing electronic waste, official news agency WAM reported.

“With the cabinet’s approval of the UAE Circular Economy Policy in January 2021, we have embarked on an ambitious and important mission to transition from a linear model to a circular economy approach. Our current linear economy consumes valuable materials and resources without being able to benefit from them after use, which represents waste in the modern concept of sustainability. Our approach seeks to protect our environment and to ensure the long-term economic and social prosperity of our country,” said Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. 45 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions result from producing cars, clothes, food, and other products used every day, demonstrating the great potential that lays in circular economy, which can mitigate the current climate crisis, she added.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy noted that the Council’s Circular Economy Policies Committee recently held workshops and meetings with the government and private sectors as well as international partners, to support the implementation of the UAE Circular Economy Policy in four key sectors – manufacturing, green infrastructure, transportation, and food production and consumption – as well as the 22 new policies issued to drive the UAE’s overall transition to a circular economy.

“These policies will contribute to addressing all challenges the private sector is facing in its shift to a circular economy and support the country’s green development drive. The Committee continues its efforts to implement the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 through programmes and projects that are set to attract investments to this field and expand its infrastructure. Efforts are also being exerted to establish a circular economy database, in addition to offering incentives to encourage the private sector to shift towards clean production methods,” he stated.

Approved in January 2021, the UAE Circular Economy Policy identifies the optimal approach to the country’s transition to a circular economy. Its objectives include building a sustainable economy, promoting efficient use of natural resources, encouraging the private sector to shift to cleaner industrial production methods that involve AI and other 4IR technologies, and adopting sustainable consumption and production patterns. A circular economy promotes the elimination of waste and the continual safe use of natural resources.

The UAE Circular Economy Council comprises 17 representatives of federal and local government entities, private sector businesses and international organisations.

Read: World Environment Day: Scaling a circular economy