Uncertainties, risks and challenges relating to CO<SUB align="right">2 emissions and its possible impact on climate change in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by around 35% since the beginning of the industrial era. Both human-induced and natural factors trigger climate changes and associated risks. Since the discovery of oil in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) around 1960, the country has experienced high population growth and very rapid economic development with associated high demand on energy in various sectors. The response to this remarkable energy demand was the burning of fossil fuel. CO2 emissions in the UAE in last 51 years have averaged about 32.4 metric tons per capita (mtcp). During the last 16 years, the highest annual mean temperature maximum was 28.9°C in 2010. The lowest annual mean temperature maximum was 27.2°C in 1997. During the same period, the highest annual mean rainfall was 258.4 mm in 1995, while the lowest was 11.8 mm in 2001. The main objective of this paper is to identify and discuss the potential risks and uncertainties that trigger global warming and climate change, including the expected challenges to come from these changes, and to analyse the likely impact of CO2 emissions on the UAE's climate change, respectively.