Environmental impact assessment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates, with special reference to project and policy

• Main Author: Al-Hosani, Faisal Ebrahim Abdulla
• Other Authors: Greens, Andrew ; Al-Madfai, Hassan ; Prescott, Gwyn
• Published: University of South Wales 2006
• Subjects: 333.714095357
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.435475

This study analyses the importance of environmental impact assessment methodology and sources of defects in the field of environmental impact assessment in the Emirates and recommend solutions in order to achieve the best procedures required by the Emirates in general and Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates in particular. The study presents a large number of methods designed to achieve an appropriate environmental impact assessment methodology for the two Emirates to assist decisionmakers, technicians and environmentalists. The study has the following purposes: to design a conceptual framework for developing a local EIA methodology for Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates, to achieve its objectives and test hypotheses relating to the identification of the sources of environmental degradation in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates; to examine developed and developing countries' experiences in environmental impact assessment and the possibility of transferring them to the Emirates; to investigate local experiences, if any, in this field in order to formulate procedures and practices appropriate to the Emirates; and to identify sources of defects in environmental impact assessment solutions and recommend environmental impact assessment methodology appropriate to the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates. The present study is important in its attempt to identify the sources of pollution and its causes in the Emirates in general, and in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates, in particular. Its significance also stems from the fact that it is the first study to attempt to establish procedures in the field of environmental impact assessment and to identify international expertise and various sources of information and literature relating to this field. A literature review of studies relating to a conceptual framework with EIA methodology, environmental impact assessment and sustainable development and experiences of environmental impact assessment in both developed and developing countries is presented. The extensive industrial, urban and economic developments in the Emirates over the past thirty years have resulted in massive environmental pollution problems and impacts. The situation has been exacerbated by the absence of legislation and laws regulating the procedures for protection of the environment. Public awareness is limited, and action should be taken to increase public awareness, especially among expatriate communities. With the aim of designing a conceptual framework for developing a local EIA methodology for Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates several methods and techniques are identified since they differ in their nature and complexity. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and some methods have been developed to improve other methods. The research reveals the fact that using several EIA methodologies is better than using one methodology within the context of Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates. The proposed conceptual framework involves referring projects to specialised technical agencies (technical staff) before referring them to decision-makers, reassessment of projects by technical experts (using several EIA methodologies) in the event there are some defects by decision-makers, the necessity of referring recommendations to technical experts and planners.