The EAD Environmental Inspection Team.
Gulf Today Staff Reporter
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), issued a new resolution concerning the list of administrative penalties and fines for violators of environmental regulations in Abu Dhabi. Violations could be classified as: development and industrial, hunting, biodiversity and reserve-related violations, fishing and discharge in the marine environment violations.
The recurrence rate of the violation was used to determine the value of each fine, which gradually increases with subsequent violations. The value of administrative fines varies between Dhs1,000 and Dhs1,000,000 – depending on the violation and the extent of damage caused to the environment and recurrence rate. This resolution was developed to strengthen EAD’s regulatory and supervisory roles and support mechanisms to prevent activities and actions that negatively impact the environment.
It also covers any practices that harm the environment that are not covered by the current regulations. This will help improve compliance with environmental regulations in the Emirate. This resolution enforces the Law no. 10 administrative penalties and fines. (10) of 2020 to amend certain articles of Law no. (16) of 2005 concerning the restructuring of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. EAD was authorized by law to impose an administrative penalty on violations of this law and its executive or regulatory bylaws.
During routine inspections, EAD Inspectors use inspection and compliance technology.
These include the nature and extent of the violation, as well as its environmental impact or damage. In return for reducing 25% of the prescribed violation’s value, these factors will be taken into consideration. This will encourage establishments and projects that are subject to violations to come to an agreement with the Agency. However, it is important that the cause of the violation be removed first. A process to impose fines, including several procedural guarantees such as a grievance system or reconciliation against reduction in the fine amount, will be used. This would encourage facilities and projects to reconcile with the Agency to reduce the value of fines – provided the environmental impacts of the violation have been removed before.
The development plans and programmes, which take into account both economic and social effects on the environment, show that the Abu Dhabi government is concerned about protecting the environment. The Agency carried out scientific studies and created specialised organizations and agencies to manage and preserve the environment. They also ensured that the proper strategies, laws and regulations were in place to protect the environment. The Agency’s environment vision is based on the principle that the environment can be protected while still achieving the ambitious economic goals for Abu Dhabi and identifying sustainable requirements in all relevant sectors.
The Agency is Abu Dhabi’s competent authority and is responsible for protecting the environment, wildlife, biodiversity, and other natural resources. This is achieved by conducting scientific research, setting, and implementing policies that support sustainable development, undertaking control and protection activities – specifically in relation to evaluating environmental impact and issuing licences. EAD is also responsible to inspect and control projects, activities, and facilities in different sectors of the Emirate. This is done in order to ensure environmental compliance and to reduce or eliminate the damage to the environment.
Abu Dhabi Plan sets the guidelines for sustainable growth and development. The Agency follows the Abu Dhabi Plan’s roadmap. This roadmap aligns to the corporate strategic plan. This plan aims to build an organisation that is strong and capable of managing environmental risks in Abu Dhabi. This is in addition enhancing innovation and research opportunities for conserving natural resources. EAD works closely with environmental agencies and organisations to ensure that the best global practices are implemented. EAD obtains its legal and executive powers from 14 federal and state laws, and implements policies in accordance with these laws.
EAD is charged with environmental compliance monitoring, as environmental protection has become a major challenge. EAD also demonstrates consistency and efficiency in its organisational approach to environmental issues, given its many responsibilities. The Agency currently uses smart electronic tools and systems to conduct environmental inspections, and ensure compliance of licensed facilities and projects with environmental requirements. EAD also has the responsibility of assessing risks and enhancing the implementation the integrated environmental commitment system. Such tools assist EAD in preparing evaluation reports of industrial sectors to provide a clear overview of the environmental situation in the Emirate – supporting effective decision-making for the benefit of the environment and the society.
According to EAD, its strategy is to constantly evaluate its practices in environmental fields to find gaps and challenges in order to create a comprehensive legislative framework to enhance environmental compliance and enforcement in accordance with best global practices. The Agency works closely with Abu Dhabi-based companies and organisations to ensure they are aware of the Agency’s requirements, environmental laws and laws and how to avoid violating them. Respecting the environment laws and controls is crucial to Abu Dhabi’s bright future. It also contributes to the preservation of the Emirate’s natural heritage and the promotion of sustainable development. Many of the national staff are highly skilled in all aspects related to environmental issues. Many have been granted legal authorities after obtaining qualifications in many environmental fields including soil, biodiversity, hunting, evaluation, licensing, audit and environmental compliance.