ABU DHABI // A new system to deal with waste in the Northern Emirates will be effective soon, the Minister of Environment and Water told the Federal National Council yesterday.
In four hours of questioning, members took Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad to task over pollution and the problem of waste.
The reminded him of the country’s large ecological footprint, but he insisted this was no indication that the country was polluted.
“The [Arabian] Gulf, including the UAE, uses energy for water and electricity. It is natural,” he said.
“The country’s ecological footprint is not a measurement of pollution, but usage – but the UAE has voluntarily worked to lower it.”
He said the country had improved its place in international rankings but its footprint was still too big.
Hamad Al Rahoumi (Dubai) complained that companies in the free zone were particularly bad polluters. “Most fumes and waste from factories cause air and water pollution and there is no control of them,” he said.
“How can we control the pollution in free zones?”
The minister said that was true, but the UAE was not the only country suffering such a problem.
“We are working on a way to organise, separate and recycle the waste,” he said.
“Maybe our now low ecological footprint could be the special indicator.”
The minister suggested that the council should recommend that the Cabinet to look into it.
“It is a very important issue,” he added.
Sheikha Eisa Ghanem (Umm Al Quwain) highlighted the issue of the illegal dumping of waste in the Northern Emirates.
The minister said the Government had already approved a plan to tackle it. “Some emirates suffer huge problems in getting rid of waste,” he said.
He did not know when the new unified system, which will apply in the four Northern Emirates, would start, but he hoped it would be “very soon”.
But he said a law including a section on recycling would go to the Cabinet soon.
Members repeatedly complained that the minister was not answering their questions.
Ali Jassim (Umm Al Quwain) asked about the level of sea pollution and what was being done to combat it.
“The fish we eat are not clean, leading to diseases like cancer,” he said. “We should have laws to protect the soil to keep away from dangers.”
The minister said: “We are all responsible for a clean environment. It is a co-operation between individuals as well as entities.”
The speaker then reminded members that the debate was supposed to be about soil and vegetation. “But it is all tied together,” Mr Al Jassim protested.
In the report prepared by the council before the session, members listed problems with meeting international standards in regards to the use and monitoring of chemicals and pesticides, disposing of agricultural waste, keeping a database of endangered plants, and retraining workers whose skills became obsolete.
When Ahmed Al Shamsi (Ajman) brought up the issue of the ministry’s campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags, the minister said it was possible a “small and symbolic” fee would be placed on them soon.
Mr Al Shamsi said that first, customers needed to be made more aware of the down side of using plastic bags, and how harmful they were to the environment.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
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The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
Section 375
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat
Director: Ajay Bahl
Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now