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4.28. (...) The first objective of the UAE policy on fisheries is to ensure sustainability of the resources (through fishing seasons, reserve areas, and gear restrictions) and promote aquaculture. The main legislation on fisheries is Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 regarding the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources in the UAE and its bylaw, as amended by Federal Law No. 7 of 2016 and Ministerial Decree No. 21 of 2018. The Law lays down the legal basis for catch and prohibits certain fishing practices, such as drift nets, fishing with explosives, and catching sea animals whose capture is banned. Specific fishing practices (e.g. fishing and trade of sharks, catch of pelagic fish, and use of fishing nets) are regulated or prohibited by the relevant Ministerial Decrees.

4.33. The National Framework Statement for Sustainable Fisheries (2019 2030) provides guidance on achieving sustainable fisheries within the next decade through pursuing management best practices at both the national and emirate levels. A GCC regional survey conducted in 2011 found that demersal stocks had declined by around 90% from late 1970s levels. A later survey from 2016 17 demonstrated that in more recent years fish stocks remained mostly stable if not improving. The National Framework aims at rebuilding the fish stock through three main strategic objectives: reduce pressure on fisheries (seasonal closures, caps, etc.); develop aquaculture research and programmes to support fish stock improvement; and enhance fish stocks through the rehabilitation of habitats and the installation of artificial reefs. Both the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the local authorities are in charge of the programme's implementation.

4.34. (...) The development of the aquaculture sector is among the two focus areas listed by the UAE Future of Food 2021 Report, which emphasizes standardizing the requirements of aquaculture activities in the UAE, developing work areas dedicated to aquaculture and defining environmental requirements, and establishing a system of strategic interventions to develop the infrastructure of fish farming and key facilities that provide fish feed. As of mid 2020, the UAE had invested USD 54 million in the development of fish farms and hatcheries.

4.35. The UAE is a member of the International Maritime Organization for the 2020-21 biennium as a Category B member (representing States that have the largest interest in international seaborne trade). The country is also a member of the Regional Commission for Fisheries, whose goals are to promote: (i) the development, conservation, rational management, and best utilization of living marine resources; and (ii) the sustainable development of aquaculture. The Government indicates that it aims to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices. Laws such as the 1999 Law on the Exploitation and Protection of Living Aquatic Resources in the UAE (as amended) and various prohibitions of specific catches contribute to this goal. However, the UAE has not joined the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, and it is a signatory but not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It has not signed or ratified the UN Fish Stock Agreement or the FAO Compliance Agreement.

4.36. International Energy Agency (IEA) statistics indicate that between 2015 and 2019 energy production in the UAE remained constant , total primary energy supply declined, electricity final consumption increased, and total CO2 emissions declined slightly [53]. (...). [53] Emissions decreased from 186.2 Mt of CO2 in 2015 to 178 Mt of CO2 in 2019.

4.37. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017, and which constitutes the first unified UAE energy strategy , aims to diversify the energy mix while mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Strategy envisages that by 2050 clean energy sources will contribute 50% of the total installed power capacity mix (44% from renewable energy and 6% from nuclear energy), while natural gas and clean coal will account for, respectively, 38% and 12% of the energy mix. The Strategy also aims to reduce GHG emissions from power generation by 70% and to increase energy consumption efficiency by 40%. The Government aims to invest AED 600 billion by 2050 to meet the growing energy demand and ensure stable economic growth. In March 2021, the Government launched the National Integrated Energy Model, which sets out a roadmap for the development of the country's energy sector over the next 50 years. In April 2021, the UAE National Demand Side Management Program 2050 was approved. This programme sets the detailed roadmap to achieve the demand reduction target of 40% by 2050, setting initiatives for the main energy consuming sectors in the UAE, namely industry, construction, and transport.

4.38. Energy diversification and conservation strategies, such as the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, have also been adopted by individual Emirates [59]. [59] Dubai's aim for 2030 is to generate 25% of the energy mix from solar power, 7% from nuclear power, 7% from clean coal, and 61% from natural gas. It aims to provide 75% of the total power output from clean energy sources by 2050. (...)

4.39. In September 2016, the UAE submitted a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) within the framework of the Paris Agreement , which was revised in December 2020 to reflect a higher level of ambition. According to the updated NDC, the UAE intends to reduce GHG emissions for the year 2030 by 23.5% relative to the business-as-usual scenario. In October 2021, the UAE declared its intent to achieve a target of zero GHG emissions by 2050 , and, in November 2021, it announced the Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap, a comprehensive national blueprint to support domestic low carbon industries, contribute to the country's net zero ambition, and establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen. The authorities note that the UAE is well on its way to meet its ambition to be a global leader in low carbon hydrogen with more than seven projects already under way that will target 25% market share in the key export markets, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany, and India, initially along with additional high-potential markets in Europe and East Asia. The UAE will host the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCC in November 2023.

4.40. Several changes made to the organization of the Federal Government during the review period pertain to the energy sector. In 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Water was transformed into the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and a UAE Council on Climate Change and Environment was formed as an inter ministerial and inter-Emirati governance body. In 2020, the Ministry of Energy and Industry and the Ministry of Infrastructure were merged to create a new Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The new Ministry's strategy includes, inter alia, regulating and developing the infrastructure, transport, energy, water, oil and gas, and mining sectors to ensure their security and sustainability".

4.52. Article 23 of the Federal Constitution provides that "[t]he natural resources and wealth in each Emirate shall be considered to be the public property of that Emirate. Society shall be responsible for the protection and proper exploitation of such natural resources and wealth for the benefit of the national economy". Thus the oil and gas sector is mainly regulated at the Emirate level.