A first-of-its-kind survey report developed by the UAE Alliance for Climate Action maps private sector progress, barriers and emerging opportunities across technology, climate finance and policy
- Launched at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, insights pave the way for stronger evidence-based public-private dialogue to accelerate decarbonisation in support of UAE Net Zero by 2050 goal
- Convened by Emirates Nature-WWF and supported by HSBC, UACA brings together non-state actors to advance collective climate ambition and action
UAE, January 2026: The Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE) hosted the launch of a national assessment of private-sector climate ambition and readiness, undertaken by the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA) at an event during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026. The assessment results have been captured by UACA in a report entitled “Navigating Decarbonization: Assessing the UAE Non-State Actor Landscape and Potential”. The first-of-its-kind report provides a comprehensive review of the non-state actor climate landscape in the UAE.
Drawing on insights from businesses, financial institutions, academia and civil society the report provides practical, evidence-based guidance for both private and public sectors as the UAE advances towards NDC3.0 targets (the country’s updated emissions-reduction pathway), and a unified national MRV system to standardise emissions measurement and reporting.
The launch took place at an event hosted by MOCCAE and UACA on January 15 during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, bringing together private and public stakeholders to deliberate on the role of non-state actors in the UAE’s net zero emissions journey.
Speaking at the event, Dr Alanoud Alhaj Al Ali, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Green Development & Climate Change Sector at MOCCAE, commented: “The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy calls for robust collaboration across all sectors of society. The leadership and innovation of non-state actors, including businesses, financial institutions, academia, and civil society organisations, are essential to achieving the UAE’s climate goals. The Navigating Decarbonization report, published by the UAE Alliance for Climate Action, offers a timely and comprehensive assessment of how non-state actors in the UAE are progressing on climate action, where action is already underway, and where momentum can be accelerated to reduce emissions. By grounding dialogue in evidence, the assessment demonstrates how national priorities and non-state leadership can advance together – across technology, climate finance and policy – to deliver the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambition.”
While more than 75% of surveyed organisations have long-term (2050) and mid-term (2030) climate targets, only 55% have science-aligned net-zero commitments. For many, addressing Scope 3 emissions remains the biggest barrier, with 40% citing supply-chain emissions as their top challenge. Access to finance is identified as a critical enabler, with respondents highlighting the need for more fit-for-purpose financial solutions and products, and enhanced awareness of financing options.
Convened by Emirates Nature-WWF and supported by HSBC Bank Middle East as a founding donor, UACA is a multi-stakeholder coalition that brings together non-state actors to advance climate ambition and action, by building momentum towards near- and long-term net-zero science-based targets (SBT), fostering collaboration, and enabling a policy environment that supports decarbonization.
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO, UAE,HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, commented: “Achieving the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 aim requires coordinated action across government, business and the financial sector. This national review highlights the importance of collaboration in translating policy direction and private-sector commitment into delivery on-the-ground. As the founding donor of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action, HSBC is focused on mobilising climate finance, strengthening partnerships and supporting the frameworks needed to accelerate decarbonisation at scale.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, said: “The Navigating Decarbonization report from UACA underscores the growing momentum among non-state actors, with increased adoption of renewable energy, energy-efficiency measures and electric mobility, alongside a clear appetite for more consistent emissions reporting.”
“At the same time, it reveals a persistent implementation gap – particularly across supply chains, climate finance and technical capacity. If climate ambition is to translate into impact, 2026 must be the year we close the gap, unlock climate finance at scale and create an enabling environment for faster emissions reductions,” she added.
Download the report:
For full insights, UACA invites organizations across the UAE – including business leaders, sustainability teams, investors, policymakers and academia – to download the report and explore the findings – HERE. An executive summary is also available in English and Arabic HERE.
To discuss how organizations can participate in upcoming public–private dialogues, contact UACA at uaca@enwwf.ae
The Navigating Decarbonization Survey was developed with input from more than 20 experts and disseminated among a targeted group of sustainability professionals in the UAE, with support from network partners.
About the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment:
Since its founding, the United Arab Emirates has prioritised agriculture and food security as fundamental elements of its environmental and development agenda. In 1972, the UAE established the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to promote and protect agricultural, livestock, and fisheries resources, thereby enhancing the nation’s food security. In February 2006, the responsibilities of this ministry were transferred to the newly formed Ministry of Environment and Water, which assumed all its functions and was additionally tasked with the preservation and development of the UAE’s natural environment. In February 2016, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment following a ministerial restructuring, reflecting the expansion of its mandate to include climate change-related responsibilities.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment leads the UAE’s efforts in confronting climate change by promoting adaptation strategies, reducing emissions, and transforming key sectors in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Its goal is to achieve the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 target while fulfilling the nation’s international climate and environmental commitments.
Additionally, the Ministry fosters global partnerships and cooperation initiatives to advance collective climate and environmental action. The Ministry’s vision is to fulfil the objectives of the National Food Security Strategy, positioning the UAE as the top nation in the Global Food Security Index by 2051. This goal is being pursued through the advancement of modern agriculture, support for farmers, optimised use of livestock and fisheries resources to enhance local food production, and the transition towards sustainable, climate-smart food systems. The Ministry advances climate and environmental sustainability in the UAE by developing innovative policies and legislation that promote the adoption of modern technologies across various related sectors.
The Ministry is actively working to protect biodiversity and conserve natural ecosystems by implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031, while also addressing land degradation by executing the National Strategy to Combat Desertification 2030. The Ministry is committed to strengthening biosecurity, promoting the circular economy, and fostering sustainable communities in the UAE. It also seeks to engage the business sector, private enterprises, and the wider community—including UAE nationals and residents—in advancing the nation’s vision of a sustainable future for all.
About the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA)
The UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA) was launched at COP27 by Emirates Nature-WWF to create a multi-stakeholder coalition to advance climate ambition and action. Its vision is to build momentum towards near- and long-term net-zero science-based targets (SBT), foster non-state actor collaboration, and create a policy environment that supports entities’ decarbonization efforts in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the UAE Net Zero Strategy 2050.
UACA is endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) as the flagship domestic non-state actor project in the UAE. Globally, UACA is aligned to the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (led by the High-Level Champions) through its affiliation with the Alliances for Climate Action (ACA), a global network of alliances advancing domestic decarbonization in their respective countries.
UACA is supported by HSBC as its founding donor, providing UACA with the resources to advance its objectives to accelerate climate mitigation in the UAE. UACA currently has more than 50 members who have committed to increase their ambition and implementation of decarbonization.
