UAE climate change risks & resilience: an overview of climate change risks to 12 key sectors

This report aims to improve awareness and understanding of the risks posed by climate change among public and private sector policymakers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It provides findings and recommendations to catalyse action, increase the prioritisation of climate change in the UAE, and encourage greater implementation of evidence-based adaptation measures. 

The report discusses the role of heat-related illness, air pollution-related illness, infectious diseases, and extreme weather events. As climate change is likely to make extreme weather events more common, they can be expected to have an increasing effect on morbidity and mortality in Arab countries, burdening healthcare systems, increasing healthcare costs and decreasing economic productivity. 

Incorporating feedback from over 30 UAE and regional entities, the document outlines the key risks to 12 essential sectors in the country, including: energy & water, transport & logistics, marine and terrestrial ecosystems & biodiversity, health & well-being, oil & gas, industry, buildings, construction & real estate, financial services, cultural heritage, hospitality & tourism, and food security (domestic production and international imports).

The final section provides guidance on adaptation policy planning and implementation, by summarising the principles to consider when planning for adaptation, as well as the processes for developing robust climate change adaptation policy frameworks and action plans.