Ajman has been making incremental progress in embedding sustainability across key sectors of its economy. As the smallest emirate in the UAE, its compact size offers many advantages in implementing its green agenda. In policy terms, Ajman has demonstrated a commitment to aligning with national sustainability goals, such as the UAE Vision 2030 and the UAE Green Agenda 2030. Ajman Vision 2030 is a comprehensive roadmap that integrates sustainability as a core principle, aiming to balance economic, social and environmental considerations to ensure long-term development. The vision promotes eco-friendly practices, resource conservation, and the use of renewable energy to create a sustainable environment for future generations (see Profile).
The UAE Green Agenda 2030 is a strategic framework for sustainable development, focusing on five key objectives: building a competitive knowledge economy, enhancing social development and quality of life, preserving natural resources and maintaining a sustainable environment, advancing clean energy and climate action, and promoting eco-friendly living with sustainable resource use. “Ajman has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainability, presenting a dynamic landscape for investment in renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism and green technology,” Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi, director-general of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (MPDA), told OBG. “Efforts to foster a thriving green economy align with Ajman Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring an attractive environment for local and foreign investors.”
Energy
Power generation accounts for approximately 38% of global CO₂ emissions – more than any other sector. Therefore, the cornerstone of any sustainability policy is energy. The Ajman Energy Strategy 2030, launched by Crown Prince Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi in December 2024 aims to balance economic development with environmental protection. It focuses on sustainability, transparency, safety, collaboration and innovation – through 28 key initiatives. It aims to improve the emirate’s workforce capabilities, develop a digital energy management system, enhance governance and promote energy conservation. The strategy includes performance metrics such as customer satisfaction, frequency of inspections, reduction in energy-related accidents and compliance with safety standards (see Energy chapter).
The hope from policymakers is that both individuals and companies will continue to embrace greener energy usage. “A shift in consumption patterns and corporate sustainability commitments will accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions,” Raed Alzaabi, chairman of the Supreme Energy Committee of Ajman, told OBG. “Greater educational efforts and incentive programmes will help to ensure that businesses and households actively participate in Ajman’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.”
Education
Indeed, education is a key component in bolstering sustainability in the emirate. Numerous initiatives are present across primary, secondary and tertiary education in Ajman. For instance, in 2024 the MPDA organised the Innovation in Environmental Sustainability Competition to encourage students to develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The competition saw participation from 51 schools, with projects focused on waste management, renewable energy and smart homes. The objective of the competition was to not only foster environmental awareness, but also ignite the spirit of innovation among students.
Ajman University, the emirate’s principal university, places a key emphasis on sustainability in its teaching. It won Gold for the Middle East region at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024 for Sustainability Education Action. In terms of sustainability at educational establishments, in March 2024, the MPDA launched its Zero Carbon Schools initiative, which set out to transform schools into eco-friendly centres through the installation of solar panels, the upgrade to more efficient cooling systems and the application of improved waste-management practices.
Waste
The average UAE resident consumes 94 kg of plastic per year, a trend unlikely to change soon. As such, solutions for sustainable packaging and waste management are crucial to the emirate’s green agenda. In 2024 the partnership between the Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Dubai’s AirOWater Global led to the region’s first 100% water-from-air sustainable bottling plant. This initiative extracts moisture from the atmosphere to produce pure drinking water, reducing reliance on plastic bottles and promoting environmental sustainability. The facility can produce 365,000 litres of water per year, and promotes glass bottle use, with the aim of reducing plastic waste across the emirate and creating a sustainable, circular economy.
In another effort to enhance the emirate’s circular economy in the waste segment, in November 2024 the emirate inaugurated a waste-receiving plant in the Al Jurf Industrial Area in collaboration with Alserkal Group. The plant is capable of receiving up to 10,000 gallons of waste per day and aims to enhance environmental sustainability by collecting and treating waste from oil and grease traps and converting it into useful resources like treated water, fertilisers and bio-oils.
Industry
The most prominent industrial zone in the emirate, Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), has been a pioneer in developing eco-friendly industrial spaces that adhere to sustainable building standards. These spaces are designed to minimise energy consumption, reduce waste and improve overall operational efficiency. For instance, AFZ’s green zone includes warehouses equipped with solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and waste-management systems.
Water conservation is another key focus in the sector. Many industrial facilities in Ajman are encouraged to implement water-saving technologies, such as smart meter usage to monitor consumption and leakages, as well as water recycling and treatment facilities. The emirate also emphasises the use of renewable energy sources. The Ajman Chamber has been actively promoting the adoption of solar energy among industrial facilities. Moreover, Ajman has introduced regulations to ensure that industrial activities comply with environmental standards. These regulations include guidelines for waste management, emissions control and resource efficiency. The Ajman Chamber also works closely with industrial establishments to ensure compliance and provide support for implementing sustainable practices.
Construction
Ajman has made strides in promoting sustainability within its construction sector. Construction is one of the biggest polluters, according to the UN, with annual emissions reaching 10bn tonnes of CO₂ globally. With this in mind, the MPDA has implemented regulations and initiatives to ensure that new developments adhere to sustainable practices during construction and after completion. One such initiative is the adoption of green building standards, with Ajman reporting 8335 compliant structures as of 2024. These guidelines focus largely on enhancing energy efficiency and promoting water conservation. The use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs and waste-reduction practices are now the norm, with the incorporation of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, into many new buildings.
Transport
Transport is the second-most-polluting sector globally, accounting for 21% of all CO₂ emissions. In Ajman, a key sustainability initiative within the sector is the development of eco-friendly mobility solutions. The emirate’s transport authority has modernised its public transport fleet by incorporating electric and hybrid vehicles. By October 2024 the entire taxi fleet became 100% eco-friendly, with each vehicle being electric, hybrid or running on natural gas. This achievement was completed several years ahead of the original 2030 deadline. Electric buses began running between Ajman and nearby Sharjah in 2019.
This transition aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the emirate. Ajman is also enhancing the infrastructure for non-motorised transport as it aims to be the UAE’s first 15-minute city by 2030. A key aspect of this includes the development of pedestrian-friendly pathways and dedicated cycling lanes, which include a new 2.5-km cycling path along its seafront. These initiatives promote walking and cycling as sustainable modes of transport, contributing to a reduction in traffic congestion and emissions, as well as fostering a healthier lifestyle among residents.
Furthermore, Ajman has implemented smart traffic management systems to optimise traffic flow and reduce fuel consumption. These systems use real-time data to manage traffic signals and provide drivers with information on the most efficient routes. This helps to minimise idling times, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. On a national level, these policies are complemented by key initiatives such as the National Electric Vehicles Policy, launched in 2023, which seeks to boost supply and demandside factors to bolster electric vehicle usage, such as charging station access and domestic EV production.
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