Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems that offer ecological and economic benefits. They aid in climate change mitigation by absorbing greenhouse gases and storing carbon. In Abu Dhabi, they support biodiversity, protect neighbouring habitats like seagrass beds and corals, enhance water quality, and boost ecotourism
Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy and Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, we are thrilled to introduce our “Ghars Al Emarat” initiative (UAE Planting Initiative) which will see 10 mangrove seeds planted by EAD for each visitor to COP28
Through the initiative, which coincides with the Year of Sustainability, mangroves will be planted using innovative methods such as drone dispersal to offset emissions and help fight climate change. They will be planted within the most suitable coastal environments for growth, such as the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Al Mirfa City and Jubail Island where natural mangroves already exist
"Ghars Al Emarat" provides an exceptional platform for the development of cutting-edge solutions in mangrove conservation and restoration and solidifies the emirate's position as a pioneering global hub for research and innovation in mangrove conservation
1 COP28 visitor = 10 mangrove seeds planted by EAD!
Get to Know Abu Dhabi Emirate's Mangroves:
- Abu Dhabi Emirate has one species of mangrove called the Grey mangrove (Avicenna marina), locally known as ‘Qurm’
- Mangrove forests act as a natural wind breaks and are among the most efficient natural systems at absorbing and CO2 their role in sequestering carbon and in climate change mitigation and adaptation is considered crucial
- The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, held a profound commitment and passion for marine and coastal environments in 1966, he initiated the first mangrove plantation project along the coastlines of the islands and mainland of the emirate
- Continuing his legacy, over 40 million mangroves have been planted across Abu Dhabi’s coastal areas since 1987. This is in line with the UAE’s aim of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030 to help achieve Net Zero by 2050
For more on mangroves, click here!