Summary
Details
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Obligations can apply to designated public and private entities whose activities generate greenhouse gas emissions.
Requirements can include:
Measuring emissions.
Preparing inventories.
Reporting emissions.
Providing activity data.
Implementing reduction measures.
Retaining records.
Cooperating with competent authorities.
Not every UAE company automatically faces identical MRV obligations.
The precise scope depends on:
Whether the entity is designated as a covered source.
Implementing resolutions.
Sector.
Emissions profile.
Emirate-level competent authority requirements.
The law nevertheless expressly extends its framework to free zones.
Deep dive
- What’s Required
- 1. Measure greenhouse gas emissions
- 2. Prepare a greenhouse gas inventory
- 3. Report emissions
- 4. Implement emissions reduction measures
- 5. Retain records
- 6. Support climate adaptation
- 7. National Carbon Credit Registry
- 8. Support UAE NDC implementation
- Important Deadlines
- Current Status
- Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
- Resources
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What’s Required
1. Measure greenhouse gas emissions
Sources designated by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and competent authorities must regularly measure greenhouse gas emissions using approved methodologies.
Companies should establish reliable systems covering:
Relevant greenhouse gas sources.
Activity data.
Emissions calculations.
Measurement methodologies.
Verification evidence.
2. Prepare a greenhouse gas inventory
Applicable sources must prepare emissions inventories documenting their greenhouse gas emissions.
This can require coordination across:
Energy use.
Industrial processes.
Fuel consumption.
Operational emissions.
Other activities covered by implementing rules.
3. Report emissions
Covered sources must submit periodic emissions reports using the standards and forms established by the Ministry or competent authority.
They may also need to provide information about:
Emission-producing activities.
Existing mitigation measures.
Planned reduction initiatives.
Emissions performance.
4. Implement emissions reduction measures
Covered entities must take measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with implementing resolutions and relevant national climate requirements.
5. Retain records
Emission measurement records must generally be maintained for five years and made available to authorized enforcement officials where required.
6. Support climate adaptation
The framework covers not only mitigation but also adaptation to climate risks.
Government authorities are responsible for developing climate adaptation plans and measures addressing vulnerable sectors, communities, ecosystems and infrastructure.
7. National Carbon Credit Registry
The Ministry is responsible for establishing and managing the National Carbon Credit Registry.
This provides an institutional basis for:
Carbon credits.
Project registration.
Tracking carbon units.
Climate finance.
Carbon-market participation.
8. Support UAE NDC implementation
The law formally links national climate governance with:
UAE Nationally Determined Contributions.
Long-term emissions reduction strategies.
National adaptation planning.
International climate reporting.
Important Deadlines
August 28, 2024: Federal Decree-Law issued.
August 30, 2024: Published in the Official Gazette.
May 30, 2025: Law entered into force, nine months after publication.
May 30, 2026: Original one-year period for covered sources to adjust their status to the new framework, unless extended by Cabinet decision.
Ongoing: Periodic emissions measurement and reporting according to implementing requirements.
Ongoing: National climate targets and NDCs are periodically reviewed.
Current Status
Active and legally binding.
The law has been in force since May 30, 2025.
Implementation depends partly on ministerial and Cabinet resolutions defining matters such as covered emissions sources, methodologies, reporting requirements, and administrative penalties.
Companies should therefore monitor implementing legislation in addition to the primary Decree-Law.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations of the core emissions measurement and reporting obligations under Article 6(1) can result in fines ranging from:
AED 50,000 to AED 2 million.
If the same violation is repeated within two years of a final conviction, the prescribed penalty can be doubled.
Separate administrative penalties can also be established through Cabinet resolutions.
Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
Failing to measure emissions when required.
Failing to prepare an emissions inventory.
Missing periodic reporting obligations.
Providing incomplete emissions data.
Failing to maintain emissions records for five years.
Using methodologies that do not comply with approved requirements.
Failing to implement required emissions reduction measures.
Providing inaccurate activity data.
Failing to account for operations located in free zones.
Treating participation in a voluntary carbon initiative as sufficient legal compliance.
Failing to adapt internal compliance systems after becoming a covered source.
Incorrectly using carbon credits or registry mechanisms outside applicable rules.
Resources
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