Abu Dhabi ’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) has launched a new Carbon Capture Policy aimed at establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) across the emirate, reinforcing its long-term decarbonization strategy.
The policy is designed to regulate CCUS activities across multiple sectors, supporting environmental sustainability while enabling significant reductions in carbon emissions. Officials say the framework will also help position Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for low-carbon innovation, strengthening industrial competitiveness and supporting the growth of a diversified, sustainable economy.
In addition to emissions mitigation, the policy is expected to stimulate job creation and attract investment into carbon management technologies, aligning climate objectives with economic development priorities.
Regulatory clarity and collaboration at the core
A central objective of the Carbon Capture Policy is to establish a clear legislative and regulatory foundation for CCUS deployment. This includes defining operational standards, enabling coordinated infrastructure development, and creating conditions that encourage private-sector participation.
The policy is structured around several core pillars, including optimizing the use of domestic geological resources for long-term CO2 storage and improving investment efficiency through shared carbon capture and transport infrastructure.
By promoting the development of common facilities, Abu Dhabi aims to lower deployment costs and accelerate scale-up across hard-to-abate sectors.
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Strengthening domestic and international collaboration also features prominently in the framework. The policy encourages partnerships between government entities, industry players, and technology providers to support innovation and accelerate the commercial rollout of emissions reduction solutions.
SCFEA said the policy reflects the UAE’s broader commitment to international climate action and natural resource conservation. By regulating CCUS activity and enabling strategic investments, Abu Dhabi aims to protect ecosystems, ensure long-term resource sustainability, and contribute to global efforts to reduce industrial carbon emissions.
The move signals growing momentum behind CCUS as a cornerstone technology in the emirate’s pathway toward a lower-carbon future.
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