The UAE has secured the top spot among Arab countries in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, cementing its position as a regional leader in climate action and environmental governance.
The ranking reflects the nation's integrated approach across government, private sector, and community initiatives.
The EPI assessed 47 indicators across 12 categories under three main pillars, Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change. The UAE posted strong, balanced results throughout, driven by sustained investment in environmental infrastructure and regulatory reform.
Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, credited the achievement to decades of environmental commitment rooted in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. She pointed to the Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the country's growing renewable energy capacity as key drivers behind the result.
The UAE recorded a perfect score of 100 in waste management and also achieved full marks in bottom trawling fisheries, indicating no sealife caught through the practice within its maritime zones. Wastewater treatment scored 94.99 percent, placing the country 19th globally. The UAE also ranked ninth worldwide for protecting marine Key Biodiversity Areas.
Several national strategies underpin this progress. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 targets a tripling of renewable energy output, backed by AED150 to AED200 billion in planned investment by 2030. Renewable capacity grew 117 percent between 2022 and 2025, supported by projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and a new $6 billion solar and battery storage facility near Abu Dhabi.
Biodiversity efforts include a goal to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, with more than 50 million already planted using AI-equipped drones. Protected land and marine areas now cover over 19 percent of UAE territory, reinforcing its emerging role as a global sustainability model.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
