Dubai's Air Pollution: A Serious Concern?

Dubai's air pollution levels have been described as a dirty secret. An estimated 1,872 people a year die from outdoor air pollution in the UAE, with migrants accounting for 88% of these deaths. The air quality is generally acceptable for most individuals, but sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure. The main causes of pollution in Dubai are vehicular emissions and factory emissions. The air quality is at its worst during the summer months, with high humidity and extreme heat compounding the issues of car emissions and smoke from factories and other industries.

Fossil fuel production and flaring

Flaring is the process of burning off excess gas released during oil drilling or at liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. While flaring can be necessary for safety reasons, it is also often done as a routine part of operations, despite being a highly polluting activity. In November 2023, ahead of the UN's annual climate summit (COP28) hosted in Dubai, data revealed that UAE oil and gas fields were constantly flaring, with fields run by the state oil firm Adnoc and Dubai Petroleum, a government-owned company, exhibiting particularly high levels of flaring. This was despite Adnoc's 20-year-old policy to reduce flaring to zero in daily operations.

The Fateh and Fateh South West fields, operated by Dubai Petroleum, recorded flaring on between 90 and 100% of days between 2018 and 2022, and on more than two-thirds of recorded days in 2023. The Adnoc LNG field also showed higher flaring volumes in 2023 compared to the previous year. Overall, the analysis assessed flaring in 32 UAE oil and gas fields, 20 of which were run by Adnoc, and found that four fields flared on at least 97% of the days.

The UAE's fossil fuel production and flaring practices have raised concerns among experts and environmental groups, especially given the country's role as the host of COP28. There are worries that the UAE's commitments to reducing flaring and phasing out fossil fuels are not being adequately upheld or that they are being used as a cover for continued expansion of the fossil fuel industry.

Vehicular emissions

Dubai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with a rapidly expanding population, economy, and infrastructure. This growth has led to a significant increase in vehicular emissions, which have become a major contributor to the city's air pollution.

To address this issue, the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has implemented stricter regulations for vehicles to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. These regulations aim to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of vehicular emissions. Additionally, the Dubai Municipality has introduced the Green Building Code, which promotes the use of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable building materials to reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is also playing a crucial role in reducing vehicular emissions by promoting the use of electric vehicles and investing in wind and solar energy projects. These initiatives are part of the government's efforts to increase the city's green cover, decrease its carbon footprint, and ultimately improve the air quality in Dubai.

While these measures are a step in the right direction, continued efforts and strict enforcement of regulations are necessary to combat the adverse effects of vehicular emissions on the environment and public health in Dubai.

Factory emissions

Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates, has experienced air quality that is generally acceptable for most individuals. However, factory emissions have contributed to periods of heightened air pollution, which can be harmful to sensitive groups.

The burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, is a primary source of air pollution globally and likely contributes to Dubai's air quality issues. These emissions release various pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Particulate matter, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, can be especially harmful to human health. It includes a range of components, such as dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid aerosols. Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, which can irritate the respiratory system and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Sulfur dioxide, released during the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur, can lead to respiratory issues and contribute to acid rain.

To address the impact of factory emissions on air pollution in Dubai, it is crucial to implement measures that reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. This can include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner industrial practices. Additionally, enforcing stricter emission standards and regulations can help limit the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.

By taking proactive steps to reduce factory emissions and mitigate their environmental impact, Dubai can improve its air quality and safeguard the health and well-being of its residents and visitors. This may involve promoting sustainable practices, investing in green technologies, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among industries and individuals alike.

Health risks for residents and migrant workers

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part, has one of the world's largest oil producers and is home to seven "carbon bombs," or the world's most extensive fossil fuel production projects. The UAE's fossil fuel industry significantly contributes to toxic air pollution, which has a detrimental impact on human health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the "single biggest environmental threat to human health" globally.

People with specific health conditions, such as asthma, pregnant women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty, are more likely to be exposed to or negatively impacted by toxic air. This includes migrant workers, who make up over 88% of the UAE's population and are often engaged in outdoor work.

Migrant workers in Dubai have reported a range of health problems that they believe are related to the toxic air they breathe, including respiratory issues, skin and eye irritation, dizziness, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies. They have also expressed concerns about the lack of information available to them regarding the risks of air pollution, its sources, and how they can protect themselves. The existing air quality websites provide measurements from ground-level monitoring stations, but they do not offer practical advice on protection measures and are not accessible to all migrant workers due to language barriers.

The UAE government has recognized air pollution as a problem and submitted a revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) climate action plan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2023. However, the current air quality standards are weaker than the WHO recommendations, and the government has indicated its intention to increase fossil fuel production. To protect the health of its citizens and residents, the UAE government should develop and implement more stringent regulations to limit air pollution, including legally binding limits for PM2.5 levels, in line with WHO guidelines.

Government suppression of criticism

Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has faced criticism for its high levels of air pollution. The UAE's fossil fuel production and use have been identified as major contributors to the country's poor air quality, which poses significant health risks to its residents and migrant workers.

Despite the growing concerns over air pollution in Dubai and the UAE, there is little to no public criticism of the government's failure to address this issue. This lack of public discourse is a result of the UAE government's suppression of criticism and targeting of human rights activists, including environmentalists. The UAE has been accused of systematically abusing human rights and persecuting activists, even those in exile, to silence critics and deter public expression of concerns.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other rights groups have played a crucial role in bringing attention to the UAE government's suppression of criticism. According to HRW, the UAE's expansion of fossil fuel operations undermines its stated objectives to reduce air pollution levels. While the UAE government acknowledges the country's poor air quality, it primarily attributes it to dust from natural sandstorms. However, academic studies and HRW's analysis of government air pollution data, satellite data, and interviews with migrants and activists paint a different picture.

The UAE government's targeting of human rights activists includes unlawful surveillance, arrest, detention, and ill-treatment. This has resulted in self-censorship within the country and a climate of fear among those who wish to speak out about the risks of fossil fuel expansion and its links to air pollution. The UAE cabinet's inclusion of human rights defenders on its terror list and the death of Emirati activist Alaa Al-Siddiq, who was monitored even in exile, are stark examples of the government's crackdown on dissent.

The UAE's suppression of criticism and failure to adequately address air pollution have not gone unnoticed by the international community. Human rights groups have advocated for the release of imprisoned activists, and there is growing recognition of the challenging environment faced by those seeking to defend human rights and raise awareness about critical issues, such as air pollution, in the UAE. Despite these efforts, many global leaders remain silent, allowing the UAE government to continue its suppression of criticism and contributing to the dangerous levels of air pollution in Dubai and the UAE.

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