United Arab Emirates

Ensure Environmental Sustainability

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UAE has progressively strengthened it is environmental legislation and regulation. However, given the pace of development in the country there remains some environmental challenges that face the country. Rapid urbanization and industrial expansion has increased pressure on the environment. There is continuing pressure on water resources exacerbated by the rapid population growth and the high per capita water consumption. The coastline and marine environment is also under stress due to urban development on the coastline, ballast water discharge, and landfill. UAE needs to make concerted effort to fully achieve goal 6 by 2015.

Development of forested and cultivated land areas in (1990-2003)

Year	Total forested areas (hectares)	Total cultivated land area (hectares)
1990	200112	61737
1995	258585	78105
2000	310971	246718
2003	310971	230841

Source: Report of the Ministry of Environment and Water