Law No. (11) of 2024

Establishing the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority[1]

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Federal Law No. (23) of 1999 Concerning Exploitation, Protection, and Development of Living Aquatic Organisms in the United Arab Emirates and its amendments;

Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment and its amendments;

Federal Decree No. (238) of 2016 Ratifying the Paris Agreement on Climate Change;

Cabinet Resolution No. (37) of 2001 Incorporating Regulations into the Implementing Bylaw of Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 Concerning the Protection and Development of the Environment and its amendments;

Law No. (1) of 2001 Establishing the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation and its amendments;

Law No. (11) of 2003 Establishing Nature Reserves in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (15) of 2008 Concerning Protection of Groundwater in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (19) of 2009 Establishing the Supreme Council of Energy;

Law No. (8) of 2013 Concerning Human Resource Management of Directors General in the Government of Dubai and its amendments;

Law No. (1) of 2016 Concerning the Financial Regulations of the Government of Dubai, its Implementing Bylaw, and their amendments;

Law No. (8) of 2018 Concerning Management of the Government of Dubai Human Resources;

Law No. (5) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre;

Law No. (27) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority;

Law No. (3) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Maritime Authority;

Law No. (4) of 2023 Concerning the Dubai Ports Authority;

Law No. (16) of 2023 Concerning Urban Planning in the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (26) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (22) of 2001 Concerning the Conservation of Coastal Areas in the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (1) of 2019 Regulating the Establishment of Companies by Government Entities in the Emirate of Dubai;

Decree No. (34) of 2022 Establishing the Agencies Affiliated to the Dubai Municipality and Determining their Functions;

Decree No. (60) of 2023 Regulating the Transfer of Employees in the Government of Dubai;

The Order of 1961 Establishing the Dubai Municipality;

The Order Concerning Compliance with Public Health and Safety and Environment Protection in the Emirate of Dubai, issued on 21 January 2004;

Executive Council Resolution No. (19) of 2020 Forming the Dubai Food Security Committee and its amendments;

Executive Council Resolution No. (2) of 2021 Forming the Committee Regulating the Fishing of Living Aquatic Organisms in the Emirate of Dubai;

Executive Council Resolution No. (43) of 2022 Approving the Organisational Structure of the Dubai Municipality;

Local Order No. (61) of 1991 Concerning Environment Protection Systems in the Emirate of Dubai and its Implementing Bylaw;

Local Order No. (8) of 2002 Concerning Sewerage, Irrigation, and Water Drainage in the Emirate of Dubai;

Local Order No. (11) of 2003 Concerning Public Health and Community Safety in the Emirate of Dubai, its Implementing Bylaw, and their amendments; and

The legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

©2024 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.

Title of the Law

Article (1)

This Law will be cited as “Law No. (11) of 2024 Establishing the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority”.

Definitions

Article (2)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Establishment of the DECCA

Article (3)

Pursuant to this Law, a public authority named the “Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority” is established. The DECCA will have legal personality and the legal capacity required to undertake the acts and dispositions that ensure the achievement of its objectives. The DECCA is hereby affiliated to the Executive Council.

Head Office of the DECCA

Article (4)

The head office of the DECCA will be located in the Emirate. Branches and offices of the DECCA may be established within and outside of the Emirate pursuant to a resolution of the Executive Council.

Objectives of the DECCA

Article (5)

The DECCA aims to:

1. ensure Environment Protection, preserve the quality and natural balance of the Environment, and maintain the sustainability of the biological systems and Natural Resources of the Emirate;
2. contribute to the conservation of the Natural Resources, fish stock, and fishery resources; to the maintenance of biodiversity and its sustainability in the UAE; and to the optimal utilisation of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations;
3. support decision makers in formulating development policies and planning processes, and in measuring strategic performance, with a view to ensuring Environment Protection and combating Climate Change, mitigating its effects, and adapting thereto;
4. ensure the sustainability of the Environment, its living and non-living Natural Resources, and its ecosystem services;
5. contribute to achieving, in coordination with the concerned entities, the Emirate's sustainable development objectives in all areas related to the DECCA’s functions;
6. promote the principles of green economy and circular economy, reduce the ecological and carbon footprint of the Emirate, and optimise the utilisation of its local resources;
7. enhance food security in the Emirate and support local production;
8. contribute to the implementation of the principles and requirements of environmental health, with a view to protecting human health against hazards; and
9. contribute to ensuring compliance with the international environmental conventions and treaties to which the UAE is a party.

Functions of the DECCA

Article (6)

The DECCA is the competent official entity in charge of all matters related to developing, approving, and managing the plans, policies, and strategies related to Climate Change, Environment Protection, and food security within the Emirate, including in Special Development Zones and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre. In particular, the DECCA will, in coordination with the concerned entities in the Emirate, where applicable, have the duties and powers to:

1. develop the regulatory frameworks and guidelines required for implementing environmental governance, with a view to ensuring the optimal implementation of sustainability procedures and activities;
2. launch environmental research projects and studies aimed at preserving the Environment and ensuring the sustainability of its resources; and develop innovative solutions to environmental issues;
3. prepare and develop the policies, and manage and follow up the plans, required for Climate Change Adaptation;
4. formulate and develop a Climate Change Mitigation policy; develop the targets, initiatives, and programmes required for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate neutrality; follow up the implementation of these, targets, initiatives, and programmes; and submit the relevant periodic reports to the Executive Council;
5. prepare, develop, manage, and follow up the policies and requirements for licensing Groundwater Basins and Groundwater wells in the Emirate and maintaining the Groundwater reserves and quality; establish the requirements and conditions for using or extracting Groundwater from wells, and for deepening, widening, or altering Groundwater wells; issue the relevant permits and oversee, supervise, and monitor the same in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate with a view to ensuring their optimal and sustainable use;
6. develop the policies related to sewerage, surface water, and reclaimed water in the Emirate; and preserve surface water and reclaimed water and develop the required manuals and frameworks to ensure their safety, in line with the relevant quality assurance requirements and with a view to ensuring their optimal utilisation and achieving the highest levels of quality of life and best environmental performance, in accordance with the best international standards adopted in this respect;
7. prepare, develop, manage, and follow up the policies, legislation, plans, and guidelines supporting the development and implementation of policies and plans for the protection of Nature Reserves, and for the conservation of marine and terrestrial fauna and flora biodiversity and ecosystems therein, as well as Natural Resources, including air and soil quality, biodiversity, and the development of Nature Reserves and all water resources, with a view to ensuring effective management of these reserves and resources;
8. establish, manage, operate, develop, and supervise Nature Reserves in the Emirate; conduct specialised surveys and studies; implement the necessary projects; and issue the regulatory and administrative rules that ensure their sustainability and development;
9. develop general policies for Waste Management in the Emirate; and propose the legislation, specifications, and manuals supporting these policies, with a view to minimising Waste production and enhancing recycling, Waste sorting, and shifting away from landfilling;
10. develop a general policy for greening and horticulture in the Emirate, and propose and prepare the legislation, specifications, and manuals supporting horticulture and afforestation, with a view to enhancing the environmental performance of green and horticultural spaces;
11. develop, and supervise the implementation of, environmental health policies in the Emirate, with a view to preserving human health;
12. prepare, develop, and manage the food security strategy in the Emirate in line with the national food security strategy, including identifying key products and the rate of their local consumption, food production and processing capacity, and nutritional requirements, with a view to ensuring sustainable local production; facilitating global food trade; diversifying food import sources; developing alternative supply plans; and following up and supervising their implementation by the concerned entities in the Emirate;
13. protect agricultural, animal, and fishery production in the Emirate; and minimise the risk of epidemics, animal and zoonotic diseases, and pests;
14. regulate, license, and support local agricultural, animal, and fishery production projects;
15. develop the plans and strategies required for countering environmental risks, emergencies, crises, and disasters; combating environmental degradation and pollution, and managing natural factors and their impacts, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
16. establish an environmental monitoring system; develop and operate environmental monitoring networks; and implement the actions, measures, plans, and strategies that ensure Environment Protection and prevent exceeding the permitted limits of environmental pollutants;
17. conduct periodic surveys of the environmental impacts resulting from the exploration, extraction, and exploitation of oil and gas within production fields and within land and maritime transport routes;
18. combat various forms of pollution; prevent any short-term or long-term negative effects resulting from economic, agricultural, animal, aquatic, industrial, and urban development plans and programmes, or any other development programmes aimed at improving the quality of life; and coordinate with the concerned federal entities to ensure Environment Protection, preserve the quality and natural balance of the Environment, and instil environmental awareness and pollution control principles;
19. protect the marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric Environments in the Emirate from Pollution and depletion; preserve the sustainability of Natural Resources, fishery resources, and wildlife; and develop and propose the relevant supporting policies, legislation, and manuals;
20. protect the coastal areas, beaches, creeks, lakes, canals, waterways, and dams in the Emirate; and establish the necessary environmental controls to ensure the preservation of their ecological properties;
21. regulate and license maritime and coastal projects with environmental impact, as well as the projects built on waterways in the Emirate; and supervise and monitor their implementation;
22. develop regulatory controls and environmental permits and grant environmental approvals for infrastructure projects; construction projects; facilities; industrial, service, and development activities; and other projects, facilities, and activities with environmental impact, based on the relevant Environmental Impact Assessment of the same; and monitor the compliance of  these projects, facilities, and activities with the regulations and standards stipulated in the legislation in force in the Emirate;
23. issue permits, approvals, and no-objection certificates for the activities related to the Environment;
24. evaluate the impact of population growth; infrastructure projects; and urban development and expansion on the Environment and on wildlife; and contribute to planning these projects in collaboration with the competent entities to ensure the preservation of the Environment and wildlife;
25. grant permits to establishments and corporations to conduct the activities of acquisition, raising, care, and trade of livestock and pets; to provide therapeutic and preventive veterinary services in the Emirate; and to conduct other agricultural, animal, and fishery activities, and supervise and monitor the business of these establishments and corporations;
26. monitor the acquisition of all types of animals and deal with lost and stray animals;
27. regulate the exploitation of soil in the Emirate, with a view to ensuring its rational use; and oversee and monitor such use;
28. monitor and oversee environmentally significant or sensitive areas and sites, such as wetlands, coral reefs, Nature Reserves, public parks, and similar areas and sites;
29. raise community awareness of environmental sustainability and of the practices that are detrimental to the Environment;
30. manage, develop, and periodically measure environmental performance indicators;
31. manage, organise, and disseminate environmental data throughout the Emirate in accordance with the legislation in force;
32. provide, in coordination with the competent entities in the Emirate, opinion on draft local and federal legislation and international protocols, treaties, and conventions that fall within the functions of the DECCA under this Law;
33. own and take lease of the real property, movables, equipment, devices, and other assets required for performing the functions and work of the DECCA; and manage and use these assets in accordance with the international best practices;
34. establish, solely or in partnership with other persons, companies and corporations to implement the projects and programmes supporting the performance by the DECCA of its functions, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
35. ensure that its services are integrated and coordinated with the services of the public sector and private sector, and are aligned with its approved plans and projects;
36. organise, and participate in, local and international events and conferences in the fields related to the functions of the DECCA; and
37. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to it by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.

Outsourcing the DECCA Functions

Article (7)

With the exception of the powers, functions, and responsibilities vested in it in respect of establishing and preparing the policies, legislation, and manuals that fall within its functions under this Law, the DECCA may outsource, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate, any of its powers, functions, and responsibilities under this Law to any public or private entity pursuant to an agreement concluded with that entity in this respect. This agreement will determine the rights and obligations of the DECCA and the contracted entity as well as the conditions, requirements, and specifications that the entity must observe when performing the functions outsourced to it by the DECCA.

Executive Body of the DECCA

Article (8)

The executive body of the DECCA will be comprised of the Director General and a number of administrative, finance, and technical Employees, to whom Law No. (8) of 2018 Concerning Management of the Government of Dubai Human Resources, and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof, will apply.

Director General

Article (9)

1. A Director General will be appointed to the DECCA pursuant to a decree of the Ruler.
2. The employment rights of the Director General will be determined in accordance with the above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 2013 and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof.
3. The Director General will be directly responsible to the Executive Council for performing his duties under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate; and for performing any other duties assigned to him by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.

Functions of the Director General

Article (10)

1. The Director General will supervise the work and activities of the DECCA; manage its affairs; and represent it in its relations with third parties. For these purposes, the Director General will have the duties and powers to:

1. propose, in coordination with the competent entities in the Emirate, the general policy and the strategic and development plans of the DECCA; present the same to the Executive Council for approval; and follow up their implementation;
2. propose policies, strategies, and initiatives in support of Environment Protection and combating Climate Change; review them in consultation with the competent entities in the Emirate; and submit the same to the Executive Council for approval;
3. approve the initiatives, programmes, projects, studies, and recommendations that are related to the work and activities of the DECCA, and that enable it to achieve its objectives;
4. approve and review the work plans and programmes of the DECCA, and assess their applicability on an annual basis;
5. prepare the draft annual budget and Financial Statements of the DECCA, and present the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for approval;
6. submit periodic reports to the Executive Council on the implementation of the approved general policies, strategies, and initiatives; and on the performance indicators and programmes related to implementation of the strategic plans of the Emirate, in relation to Environment Protection and combating Climate Change; as well as annual performance reports on the work and activities of the DECCA;
7. supervise the daily work and the personnel of the DECCA, and appoint the technical and administrative staff required to perform the work of the DECCA in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
8. propose the organisational structure of the DECCA, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for approval in accordance with the legislation in force;
9. approve the bylaws and resolutions regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DECCA;
10. propose fees and charges for the services provided by the DECCA, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for approval;
11. conclude contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding in the fields related to the achievement of the DECCA objectives and enabling it to perform its duties and functions;
12. form specialised permanent and temporary committees and work teams, and determine their duties and functions; and
13. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to him by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council, as required for the achievement of the DECCA objectives and for enabling it to exercise its duties and powers.

2. The Director General may delegate any of his duties and powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to any of the executive directors/ chief executive officers, or any of the other Employees, of the DECCA, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing.

Financial Resources of the DECCA

Article (11)

The financial resources of the DECCA will consist of:

1.                                                                                                                                                                     the financial appropriations allocated to the DECCA in the General Budget of the Government;
2.                                                                                                                                                                     the movable and immovable property allocated to the DECCA by the Government;
3.                                                                                                                                                                     the fees and charges for the services provided by the DECCA; and
4. any other resources approved by the Executive Council.

Accounts and Financial Year of the DECCA

Article (12)

1. In managing its accounts and records, the DECCA will apply the rules and principles of government accounting.
2. The Financial Year of the DECCA will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of each Year, except that the first Financial Year will commence on the date on which this Law comes into force and will end on 31 December of the following Year.

Cooperation with the DECCA

Article (13)

All Local Entities must fully cooperate with the DECCA; meet its requirements; and provide it with all the data, information, documents, statistics, reports, and studies it requests, particularly any reports on the implementation of the policies and performance indicators approved by the DECCA, to enable it to achieve its objectives and exercise its functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.

Transfer and Succession

Article (14)

1. As of the date on which this Law comes into force, the following will be transferred from the DM to the DECCA:

1. all the duties and functions vested in the DM and its affiliated agencies under the legislation in force in the Emirate in respect of the regulatory matters that fall within the functions of the DECCA under this Law. The Steering Committee will determine the entities, organisational units, functions, powers, duties, and responsibilities related to the regulatory matters to be transferred to the DECCA;
2. the ownership of the real property, movables, assets, devices, equipment, and other property of the DM and its affiliated agencies that are relevant to the functions of the DECCA under this Law;
3. the Employees of the DM working at the organisational units performing the powers and functions assigned to the DECCA under this Law, and the Employees to be transferred to the DECCA upon mutual agreement with the DM as well as the financial appropriations allocated to these Employees by the Department of Finance, in accordance with the provisions of the above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 2016 and Decree No. (60) of 2023, and other legislation in force in the Emirate and without prejudice to their existing rights; and
4. the financial appropriations allocated by the Department of Finance, in the annual budget of the DM, for the activities and functions to be performed by the DECCA under this Law and other legislation in force in the Emirate.

2. The functions, powers, and responsibilities vested, under the legislation in force, in the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC, the Supreme Council of Energy, the Dubai Food Security Committee, and the Committee Regulating the Fishing of Living Aquatic Organisms, in respect of all regulatory matters assigned to the DECCA under this Law, are hereby transferred to the DECCA. Furthermore, the annual financial appropriations allocated to these entities in their annual budgets, excluding the annual financial appropriations of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC and of the Supreme Council of Energy, will be transferred to the DECCA.
3. Pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council, the Steering Committee will be formed to supervise compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Article. The DM and the entities referred to in paragraph (b) of this Article will, as of the effective date of this Law and until completion of the mandate of the Steering Committee, continue to exercise their duties and powers in respect of the matters assigned to the DECCA under this Law.
4. As of the date on which the Steering Committee completes its mandate under paragraph (c) of this Article, the DECCA will succeed to all the rights and obligations of the DM and the entities referred to in paragraph (b) of this Article in respect of the functions, powers, and responsibilities transferred to the DECCA under this Law.

Compliance

Article (15)

The DECCA, the DM, and the other entities referred to in paragraph (b) of Article (14) hereof must, under the supervision of the Steering Committee, coordinate with the concerned entities in the Emirate to comply with the provisions of this Law within a period not exceeding one (1) Year from the date on which this Law comes into force. The Chairman of the Executive Council may, where required, extend this time frame for the period he deems appropriate.

Issuing Implementing Resolutions

Article (16)

The Chairman of the Executive Council will issue the resolutions required for the implementation of the provisions of this Law.

Repeals

Article (17)

Any provision in any other legislation will be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.

Publication and Commencement

Article (18)

This Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 25 April 2024

Corresponding to 16 Shawwal 1445 A.H.