Air pollution in the Middle East falls sharply as stricter regulations and renewables take effect

Scientists in Abu Dhabi have reported a notable decrease in air pollution levels in the Middle East, attributing this improvement to stricter air quality regulations, a shift towards renewable energy, and enhanced monitoring of vehicle emissions. A recent study conducted by researchers at Khalifa University (KU) in Abu Dhabi utilised satellite data from NASA, assessing pollution levels from 2003 through 2023. The findings highlight significant reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations, following a period of rising pollution levels during the initial decade of the study.

Dr Diana Francis, an assistant professor at KU and head of the university’s environmental and geophysical sciences lab, explained that the introduction of tighter air quality regulations and vehicle emission standards in the UAE since the mid-2010s has played a crucial role in enhancing air quality. She noted, “Additionally, there has been increased investment in renewables and natural gas, reduced reliance on heavy fuel oil, lowering SO2 emissions, particularly in Iran, and the cleaner energy transitions still ongoing.”

The research examined a measurement area that included Qatar, Bahrain, and parts of Saudi Arabia, which saw rising pollution levels until 2018, before experiencing an annual reduction of approximately 1.7% thereafter. Dr Francis elaborated that prior to the mid-2010s, rapid urban development and increased vehicle usage had raised NO2 levels, especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She remarked, “To accompany the economic development, emissions from industry also increased, such as power plants, oil refineries, and manufacturing in the region.”

Furthermore, she pointed out that before the introduction of stricter controls in the mid to late 2010s, the enforcement of emissions regulations and monitoring was inconsistent, contributing to elevated pollution levels. However, the satellite data indicate significant declines in SO2 and NO2 concentrations in several areas, including western Saudi Arabia, parts of Iran, and both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, emphasising the effectiveness of stringent air pollution controls.

In an area encompassing Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and parts of the Gulf of Oman, an annual reduction of 3.9% in NO2 levels was recorded post-2015. However, SO2 levels continued to rise slightly, with an annual increase of 0.31%. The study’s use of NASA’s Aura satellite, which monitors solar radiation backscattering and reflects atmospheric components, provided a comprehensive analysis of pollution not achievable through ground-based measuring stations.

In an additional report, the International Council on Clean Transportation indicated that the implementation of vehicle emission standards akin to those in the EU has led to a substantial reduction in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from light-duty vehicles in the UAE. This assessment was based on a collaborative project completed in Spring 2023 involving the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and various organisations.

Despite these gains, the UAE has historically struggled with high levels of air pollution, which, as reported by The National, placed Middle Eastern countries among those with the highest levels of hazardous air particles, leading to millions of deaths related to heart disease annually, as noted by the World Heart Foundation.

As the UAE seeks to align with stricter EU vehicle emissions standards, which are set to be phased in from January 2024 to July 2027, Dr Francis highlighted the health implications of reducing SO2 and NO2 levels, stating, “These gases particularly affect vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and people with lung conditions.”

Asher Minns, executive director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in the UK, added his views on the need to transition away from fossil fuels to improve pollution levels. He remarked that the steps taken towards renewable energy may have had a modest impact on overall pollution in the region, noting, “Not extracting and burning fossil fuels means less NO2 and SO2.”

While investments in renewable energy continue, the study indicates that power demand in the Gulf is rising by around 6% annually, posing ongoing challenges to air quality improvement efforts in the region.

Source: Noah Wire Services