“Mass transport vehicles will be encouraged to reduce harmful gas emissions,” the minister said, while addressing a function at the Emirates Palace Hotel on Monday to mark the tenth Environment Day.

The minister said a number of initiatives were launched last year in association with the private sector to set up integrated facilities for treating, recycling and reusing green wastes.

On air quality control, Dr Al Kindi said more air monitoring stations had been commissioned and a national network connecting all these centres would be set up to give accurate measurements of air pollution.