Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to shed light on the criminal protection provided by Federal Law No. (24) of 1999, as amended by Federal Law No. (20) of 2006, which focuses on environmental protection. It also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of these legislations in addressing environmental pollution acts and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources in the country. Methods: To achieve this, the researcher employed a descriptive-analytical approach to examine legal texts related to environmental crimes and their applications within the UAE, clarifying the role of legislation in providing necessary legal protection through various penalties and evaluating their effectiveness. Results: Key findings indicate that the UAE legislator has established an advanced legal framework criminalizing acts harmful to the environment and enforcing strict penalties to hold violators accountable. Conclusions: The study recommends enhancing environmental awareness, periodically updating legislation, empowering regulatory authorities, and strengthening international and regional cooperation to combat environmental crimes effectively.