The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has introduced a groundbreaking regulatory policy to promote sustainability through the issuance of low-carbon water certificates, according to a press release by the Abu Dhabi Media Office. This initiative is a crucial part of the department's broader responsibility to regulate the energy sector in Abu Dhabi, ensuring that it adheres to the highest international standards and practices in sustainability.
This new policy is closely aligned with the Strategic Initiative for Climate Neutrality 2050, a key objective for Abu Dhabi's future. With the new water certificates, the DoE aims to significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with the water desalination process, a critical component of the region's water supply.
The water certification system tracks the carbon footprint of emissions resulting from electricity consumption during the desalination process. It provides a comprehensive view of the entire production chain of carbon-free desalinated water, ensuring transparency from the producer to the final consumer. Additionally, the policy highlights the amount of water produced using reverse osmosis technology powered by clean electricity sources over specific periods.
His Excellency Eng Ahmed Mohamed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the DoE, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, "We are proud to launch the low-carbon water certificates policy, which reflects our commitment to transforming the energy sector towards clean and renewable sources, reducing carbon emissions, and achieving the goals of the Strategic Initiative for Climate Neutrality 2050."
With water production forecasts indicating a rise in the share of reverse osmosis technology from 27 percent in 2022 to nearly 90 percent by 2030, the low-carbon water certification scheme underscores Abu Dhabi's leadership in reducing carbon emissions in water desalination. The DoE will manage the certification process, while the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) will handle requests for purchasing and trading certificates in collaboration with Evident I-REC (E).
