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UAE has committed to a 7% renewable energy target by 2020 and is planning to be less dependent on oil. The Abu Dhabi future energy (Masdar) is in process of finding low cost renewable energy technologies that can be rolled out on a large scale, giving safe and clean power to many. Masdar has already sent out tenders for international companies and has awarded several contracts for the construction of concentrated solar power plants and are in the process of reviewing technologies for using wind turbines to generate electricity.

Since 2008, the development and administration of trade policy has been under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Trade (previously the Ministry of Economy and Planning), in coordination with other ministries at the federal level and trade-related bodies and local departments, including the Ministry of Environment and Water

Specific labelling requirements in the UAE apply to toys, tobacco products, food, chemical products, industrial products, drinking water, textiles, and cosmetics. In addition, labels indicating energy efficiency are required for household electrical products. All labels must be in Arabic or in Arabic and English. Tobacco packages require a special health warning in Arabic.

In its strategic plan 2011-2013, the National Transport Authority aims to, inter alia, increase the size of the marine fleet registered under the UAE's flag and to increase the rate at which marine vessels are inspected so as to support both the security and environmental aspects of maritime transport

Each emirate is responsible for building codes. The Abu Dhabi Building Codes were launched by the Department of Municipal Affairs in 2013 and applied to all projects in 2014. According to the authorities, the Building Codes are based on the International Building Code of the International Code Council which has been adapted to meet the specific requirements of Abu Dhabi. The adaptations were proposed by several committees consisting of representatives of the public and privates sectors and academia. In Dubai, the Code of Construction and Safety Practice was published in 2008 and followed by other codes, including the Seismic Design Code for Dubai and the Dubai Wind Code. More recently the increased emphasis on environmental sustainability has resulted in the Green Building Regulations and Specifications and the Practice Code for Green Building in 2014.

(...) Furthermore, as envisaged by the Government, transitioning towards a knowledge driven economy through better quality of education, promotion of innovation and use of new technologies, would contribute to raising productivity and diversifying the economy; thus sustaining growth. In this respect, the Government has started to implement initiatives in alternative energy, Islamic economy, and space and aerospace.

GMOs are not specifically banned in the UAE; however, food labels should indicate if any of the ingredients used are genetically modified

The MOEW (Ministry of Environment and Water) encourages the use of modern technology in agriculture, including modern irrigation and hydroponics in order to conserve water while it also provides extension services to farmers in order to increase productivity. Organic farming is encouraged to improve environmental and economic sustainability and reduce the use of chemical inputs.

Table 3.7 Imports subject to prohibition or non-automatic licensing, 2019
Item: Pesticides and other hazardous chemicals
Justification: Public health or safety concerns
Measure: Permission to import organochlorine chemicals may be granted by the Minister for Agriculture if certain conditions are met.

Australia's key commercial stocks are managed in accordance with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines which applies an evidence-based, precautionary approach to setting catch levels. Resource Assessment Groups provide advice on the status of fish stocks and the impact of fishing on the marine environment, including recommendations to the AFMA Commission on issues such as: the setting of total allowable catches (TACs); stock rebuilding targets; biological and economic reference points; and risk assessments. AFMA sets the TAC based on estimates of the take by state commercial fishers and recreational anglers as well as other mortality sources. By October 2013, Australian fish stocks were considered in good shape as key wild fish stocks were largely sustainable. Of the 93 Commonwealth managed stocks assessed in 2012, 63 were classified as not overfished (59 in 2009) and 77 stocks are classified as not subject to overfishing (73 in 2009); 9 stocks were classified as overfished (12 in 2009) and 4 stocks as subject to overfishing (10 in 2009). Similarly stocks managed by state and Northern Territory governments appear to be in generally good condition, with the national Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Report 2012 indicating that most stocks were neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.