UAE Plants 44 Million Mangrove Trees to Fight Climate Change

It is part of the country's efforts to attain carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) revealed on Friday that the emirate had planted 44 million mangrove trees since 2020, as part of the UAE's efforts to tackle climate change.

In the last two years, EAD, in collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport and ADNOC, has successfully planted 23 million mangrove trees — equivalent to 9,200 hectares — as part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI) and the state's efforts to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030 to help achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

This programme, which supports the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, sought to broaden and accelerate the process of protecting and restoring mangrove habitats, as well as to highlight their critical and effective role in combating climate change.These trees are estimated to help store roughly 233,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of over 25,000 houses.

"The tireless efforts made by Abu Dhabi to plant and preserve mangrove trees are a continuation of the late Sheikh Zayed's legacy in enhancing and sustaining coastal ecosystems," said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).

"Mangroves are among the world's most productive coastal ecosystems, and they play a critical role in providing a variety of environmental and economic services." In addition to their function in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, mangrove trees are regarded as one of the most important ecosystems for the survival of many marine creatures, particularly those at risk of extinction, by trapping and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere."

"We applaud this important achievement that coincides with the 'Year of Sustainability,' and confirms our commitment to supporting the UAE's efforts in protecting the environment and natural habitats by utilising nature-based solutions to reduce the consequences of climate change and enhance biodiversity," said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology & UAE Special Envoy for Climate, Group MD & CEO of Adnoc.

"As part of its ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, Adnoc has contributed to mangrove cultivation for more than a decade through its collaboration with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi." We will continue to collaborate and work with EAD and other stakeholders, as well as leverage cutting-edge technology, to create a more sustainable future."

"The UAE is expanding mangrove planting as one of the nature-based solutions to confront climate change because they are natural carbon sinks capable of capturing enormous amounts of carbon, in addition to their benefits in enhancing coastal ecosystems," said Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The success of Abu Dhabi in planting 23 million mangrove trees contributes significantly to the UAE's aim of planting 100 million trees by 2030 to assist realise the UAE NetZero Strategy 2050 and to serve as a committed partner in pushing global climate action."

Source: khaleejtimes.com