Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has announced it will ban single use plastic bags from June.
The move comes as part of the oil-rich nation’s ambitious plans to become carbon neutral.
As well as plastic bags, Abu Dhabi also aims to get rid of single-use Styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024.
It follows a similar announcement by the neighbouring emirate of Dubai that it will introduce a 25-fil (5p) charge on plastic bags in July, with the aim of phasing out disposable bags within the next two years.
UAE, a significant oil producer and the host of next year’s United Nations Climate Summit, has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 – an ambitious target that remains difficult to assess.
The nation of 10 million people has one of the world’s highest emission rates per capita, ahead of countries such as Australia and the US.
It relies heavily on the export of oil and gas, which makes up 30% of its gross domestic product.
However, the move to ban plastic bags could help it reach their goals.
Plastic bags are one of the most harmful types of rubbish because they take years to decompose.
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