The Directive: The National Carbon Sequesterian Project aims to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 as part of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative
Mangroves in the United Arab Emirates:
- The UAE houses the largest mangrove forests in the Arabian Gulf Coast
- All mangroves in the UAE belong to a single species Avicennia Marina (grey mangroves)
- 75% of UAE's mangroves are in the emirate of Abu Dhabi
- Important Abu Dhabi mangrove sites include:
- Saadiyat Island
- Jubail Island
- Yas Island
- Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve (Includes Bu Tinah Island)
- Bu Syayeef Protected Area
- Ras Gharab
- Mangrove National Park
- Ras Ghanada
- Sir Bani Yas Island
- The UAE was one of the first countries to recognize the importance of coastal habitats and mangrove restoration. Conservation efforts have been in place since the 1970s under Sheikh Zayed's guidance to begin mangrove plantations.
Blue Carbon refers to the sequestering and storage of carbon by ocean ecosystems.
"As much as 20% of emission cuts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5c will need to come from the ocean."
Big 3 blue carbons include: Mangroves, Salt Marshes, and Sea Grass
- Mangroves store more carbon per unit area than any other ecosystem on Earth. The combination of high productivity and slow soil decomposition rates increases the mangroves' ability to capture and store organic carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.
- UAE mangroves sequester carbon at 0.5 tons per hectare per year
- UAE currently has over 60 million mangroves that capture 43,000 tons of CO2 annually. An additional 100 million mangroves will bring the total to sequester to nearly 115,000 tons of CO2 per year.
The Current Situation:
UAE's mangrove sites have degraded over the years due to construction, urban encroachment, landfill, pollution, trash, and hydrological disruption.
But there is hope! A study by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) in 2018 revealed that more than 80% of mangroves are still healthy which highlights the urgency and need for rehabilitation of existing mangrove sites. The UAE Mangrove Rehabilitation Project led by the EAD includes incorporating technologies such as drone rigging to increase mangrove planting and survival rates.
Further, the UAE has committed to 600 billion dirhams worth of clean and renewable energy investments planned over the next 30 years.
The Private Sector of the UAE plays a crucial role in meeting climate targets. At Basatin Mangroves, we embrace our responsibility to make the world a better place by protecting and restoring mangroves. With our unwavering mission to preserve these invaluable ecosystems, we are committed to driving positive change, fostering biodiversity, and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.