Abu Dhabi: The Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday submitted a proposal to the Cabinet to limit or ban the use of plastic bags.
Reducing the life span of cars across the UAE and closing quarries and crushers adjacent to housing communities were also among the proposals submitted by the FNC to protect the environment.
During a heated debate on Tuesday, the FNC demanded that the government adopt more restrictive rules to strengthen environmental protection and contribute to sustainable development.
FNC members, in their report called "Impact of Environmental Pollution on Public Health", did not determine a specific lifespan for vehicles during which they would be allowed on roads, but said the move is meant to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, the only elected female member of the unicameral parliament, also demanded that trucks be ordered to fit exhaust filters.
The FNC also demanded that authorities control the discharge of wastes from vessels and order these vessels to declare their shipments, especially those from nuclear powered ships.
FNC members also requested that the National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment be approved and enforced at the earliest time.
Pollutants
FNC members urged the government to act quickly and diligently by shutting down quarries and crushers adjacent to housing communities and treating by-products of desalination such as mineral salts and brine safely and efficiently.
Ahmad Al Danhani, a member from Fujairah, said that the government action plan should address all types of pollutants and not only dust and noise pollution from quarries and crushers.
Rashid Al Shuraiqi, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, said that environmental assessment reports should be produced by all projects every five years and not just upon launching them.
The FNC members also recommended that the government stop burning wastes and adopt strict measures for the safe disposal of medical wastes.
They requested that a federal law be issued to regulate the use of underground water and water resources. The use of underground water is currently under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
Sultan Al Muaden, a member from Fujairah, said the government should ban the import of scrap metals, especially spare parts of cars.
FNC members demanded that special roads be built for trucks and a railway system for passenger and cargo to ease road congestion in the country.
The FNC members demanded that the government act diligently to enforce the federal law banning smoking in closed public areas.
