Expert's Opinion on the UAE's Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Duha Alazaizeh, Abu Dhabi University
• Ismail Badraoui, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi CampusFollow
• Rahaf Ajaj, Abu Dhabi University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture in the Mena Region

Publication Date

1-7-2026

Abstract

Climate change remains a critical barrier to sustainable development globally, with energy production responsible for approximately 60% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country with substantial coastal infrastructure in an arid region, is particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks, including rising sea levels and extreme heat events. Despite substantial efforts—including investments in renewable energy, a net-zero carbon target by 2050, and the implementation of comprehensive policies outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)—progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) remains below targeted levels. This study examines the UAE’s progress on SDG 13 objectives and employs the Delphi methodology to identify key barriers hindering advancement. These include inadequate public regulatory frameworks, insufficient private sector incentives, and limited climate finance mechanisms. The paper also explores actionable insights by benchmarking international best practices and offering strategic recommendations.

DOI Link

10.4018/979-8-3373-3346-5.ch014

ISBN

[9798337333465, 9798337333472, 9798337333489]

Publisher

IGI Global Scientific Publishing

First Page

403

Last Page

424

Disciplines

Business | Environmental Sciences

Keywords

Climate change (0.6) | Sustainable development (0.6) | Business (0.57) | Delphi method (0.55) | Environmental planning (0.5) | Greenhouse gas (0.48) | Renewable energy (0.48) | Benchmarking (0.47) | Environmental resource management (0.45) | Climate change mitigation (0.43) | Natural resource economics (0.43) | Sustainability (0.41) | Private sector (0.36) | Global warming (0.34) | Production (economics) (0.34) | Action plan (0.34) | Best practice (0.32) | Public sector (0.31) | Public policy (0.31) | Corporate governance (0.3) | Climate Finance (0.28) | Stakeholder (0.26) | Stakeholder engagement (0.26) | Action (physics) (0.26) | Economic growth (0.26) | Strategic planning (0.26) | Political economy of climate change (0.25)

Scopus ID

105039718735

Recommended Citation

Alazaizeh, Duha; Badraoui, Ismail; and Ajaj, Rahaf, "Expert's Opinion on the UAE's Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action" (2026). All Works. 8289.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8289

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no