New in the UAE for 2025/26
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Federal Climate Law (Decree-Law 11/2024). In force 30 May 2025. It applies across the UAE (incl. free zones). You must measure, report, and let authorities verify emissions. There’s a one-year “adjust status” window from the effective date → plan to be fully aligned by 30 May 2026. Fines: AED 50k–2m for certain breaches. UAE Legislation
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National Carbon Credit Register (Cabinet Res. 67/2024). Effective 28 Dec 2024; big emitters had to comply by 28 Jun 2025. Carbon credits issued in the UAE register are treated as financial instruments and can be traded on licensed platforms. If you use offsets, disclose project details and retirement. UAE Legislation+1
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Single-use plastics. Nationwide phase-out ramps to a ban on import/production/trade of most single-use plastic products from 1 Jan 2026 (beyond the 2024 bag ban). Add a plastics phase-out table and procurement plan. AP News
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Market guidance for listed firms.
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ADX ESG Disclosure Guidance (2025) points you to IFRS S1/S2 and other global frameworks—use it as your template if you’re on ADX. ADX
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DFM ESG Reporting Guide: use it if you’re on DFM for consistency with investor expectations. dfm.ae
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SFWG principles (for banks/insurers/regulated players) and DFSA consultation on transition planning (DIFC context). SCA+1
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Why localizing still matters
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Regional relevance. Water stress, heat, energy mix, and waste streams in the UAE look different to Europe or the US—your plan should too.
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Compliance. The climate law + carbon credit rules + plastics ban = real deadlines. Localizing helps you avoid surprises. UAE Legislation+2UAE Legislation+2
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Trust. Community stories, UAE projects, real numbers. No buzzwords.
How to localize your 2025/26 report (UAE-specific moves)
1) Lock in regional priorities (simple and specific)
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Energy & climate: Cooling demand, grid mix (DEWA/EWEC), solar PPAs, building efficiency.
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Water: Desalinated water use, recycling/reuse, leakage control.
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Waste & plastics: Your path to the Jan 2026 plastics ban—what items go, what alternatives come in, supplier changes. AP News
2) Use local data
Bring numbers that matter here:
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Scope 1–3 GHG (with UAE facilities broken out), Scope 2 location- vs market-based for local utilities.
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Water intake (desal), reuse %, brine discharge controls.
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UAE health & safety stats, Emiratization %, local supplier spend, community investment (AED).
3) Showcase local initiatives
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Rooftop solar/carport solar, green leases, district cooling efficiency upgrades.
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Plastic reduction pilots with UAE suppliers.
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Training/Upskilling for UAE staff (HSE, energy, waste).
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NGO/municipal partnerships.
4) Map to UAE laws & market rules
Add a short “Regulatory Alignment” section with a table:
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Decree-Law 11/2024 → who measures, how often, who signs off, how you’ll meet 30 May 2026 adjustment. UAE Legislation
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Carbon Credits (Res. 67/2024) → your policy on credits (when used, registry IDs, retirement), and confirmation you treat them like financial instruments if traded in the UAE. UAE Legislation
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Plastics ban (2026) → item-by-item timeline and purchase specs for alternatives. AP News
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Capital markets → state alignment with IFRS S1/S2 and ADX/DFM guidance; add a cross-reference index at the back. ADX+1
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If regulated in DIFC or financial sector → mention SFWG disclosure principles and, if relevant, DFSA transition-planning work. SCA+1
5) Make the metrics feel “UAE”
Add a one-page KPI grid you’ll track quarterly in 2025/26:
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GHG: tCO₂e absolute + intensity (per AED revenue and per unit).
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Energy: kWh, % from renewables (on-site vs certificates), cooling kWh/m².
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Water: m³ used, % recycled, desal share.
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Waste/Plastics: tons by stream, % diverted, single-use items removed (by item), supplier conformance rate to alternatives.
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People: Emiratization %, training hours, TRIR/LTIFR.
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Assurance: which KPIs get limited assurance in 2026.
6) Write it simple and factual avoid embellishing
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Keep a plain-English style and add a version translated into Arabic.
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End each chapter with a “What this means for the UAE” callout.
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Use photos of your actual UAE sites/partners, not generic stock.
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Show dates and real numbers. No fluff.
In “Aligning with Local Regulations”
“We align with IFRS S1/S2 and follow ADX/DFM guidance for listed issuers.” ADX+1
“We’re implementing Decree-Law 11/2024: quarterly data collection now; full alignment by 30 May 2026.” UAE Legislation
“Our offsets policy follows Cabinet Res. 67/2024 and the UAE National Carbon Credit Register rules (credits as financial instruments; traded on licensed platforms).” UAE Legislation
In “Highlight Local Initiatives”
Add a Plastics 2026 mini-roadmap (what you’ve already eliminated; what’s next; supplier list). AP News
In “Align with Local Climate Action Plans”
Keep your links to UAE Net Zero 2050, Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and UAE Green Agenda 2030, but now tie them to your projects (e.g., DEWA solar PPA, building retrofits), with numbers and dates.
Quick UAE checklist (drop this as a sidebar)
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IFRS S1/S2 mapping + index to ADX/DFM items. ADX+1
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Climate Law plan: roles, systems, and May 2026 adjustment deadline. UAE Legislation
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Carbon credits policy: register IDs, trades, retirements (per Res. 67/2024). UAE Legislation
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Plastics ban plan for 1 Jan 2026 (items, suppliers, alternatives). AP News
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If bank/insurer/DIFC entity: note SFWG/ DFSA pieces. SCA+1
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Commit to external assurance of key KPIs in 2026.
Conclusion
Localizing for the UAE isn’t extra polish—it’s how you stay relevant and compliant in 2025/26. Use the law timelines, market guidance, and plastics deadlines to shape your targets. Keep the language simple, show local proof, and update quarterly.
If you want, I can format this into your blog layout with a UAE “What’s new” box, KPI table, and a ready-to-paste compliance timeline.