Hear it, see it, feel it… This is Abu Dhabi Nature.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), affirmed the Agency’s commitment to preserving the environment and its biodiversity, as a unique natural heritage rooted in the conscience of the people of the Emirates, reinforced by their close relationship with the environment and its natural resources. With the environment constituting an essential part of their identity and is one of the most important pillars of their culture and natural heritage, EAD’s commitment reflects their keenness to protect them to help enhance Abu Dhabi’s position and leadership in the field of environmental work. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan’s statement came in conjunction with World Environment Day, as he chaired a meeting of EAD’s Board of Directors, where His Highness praised the unlimited support and attention that the Agency receives from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE who announced the extension of the Year of Sustainability to 2024. His Highness stressed that this interest confirms the cultural orientation of the emirate of Abu Dhabi which always seeks to ensure a healthy environment for all, and the concerted efforts of government agencies and private sector institutions to achieve the vision and direction of the wise leadership regarding sustainability requirements in all sectors. During the meeting, His Highness was briefed on the Agency’s plan to harness artificial intelligence in its environmental programmes by 2030, making it the first environmental entity to delve deeply into this field based on national expertise, global best practices, and multiple databases to achieve its environmental goals and provide advanced services to its partners and community members.
His Highness praised the results achieved in 51 annual Key Performance Indicators during 2023, covering various environmental sectors, including: waste, marine water quality, air quality, soil quality, biodiversity, sustainable fishing and groundwater. The results contributed to EAD winning five local and international awards during the first quarter of this year, and signed seven local and international agreements. The meeting also reviewed the performance of capital projects implemented by EAD during this year, which include the establishment of the Marine Museum in Saadiyat National Park, the sea cages for fish farming in Delma and the seed preservation centre project that will be established in Al Dhafra Region and is considered the first of its kind in the region.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced it has signed a pledge to join the Advisory Committee of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA) in support of the country’s net zero ambitions. UACA was launched at COP27 by environmental charity Emirates Nature-WWF to create a multi-stakeholder alliance for climate action. Its vision is to increase momentum for near- and long-term net-zero targets and foster greater collaboration to create a policy environment that supports entities’ decarbonisation efforts. UACA engages sub-national and non-state actors including the private sector, and is endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. UACA is part of the global Alliances for Climate Action, an accelerator of the Race to Zero global campaign, led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions that rallies leadership and support from non-state actors to build momentum around decarbonisation and halve emissions by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement.
EAD have signed the commitment to join UACA and the UACA Advisory Committee. As part of the UACA Advisory Committee, EAD will be working alongside other members to provide high-level strategic and technical guidance that draws on the sectoral expertise of its diverse leaders, and support UACA’s objective of increasing momentum towards a net zero future. The Agency will also work to ensure UACA is a key driver for enhanced domestic sub-national non-state actor commitments, while supporting UACA’s outreach by supporting synergies between non state actor decarbonization learnings and engaging policymakers on findings and recommendations, to accelerate the transition to net-zero. Moreover, EAD will raise awareness around UACA and its benefits to the UAE, identify strategic opportunities for UACA to contribute to national projects, such as the Climate Responsible Sustainable Companies pledge, and assign a focal point to achieve the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative by sharing information on upcoming policies and relevant information as necessary.
On the occasion of World Environment Day 2024, celebrated under the theme: ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has emphasised its commitment to sustainability and the enhancement of vegetation cover across Abu Dhabi. EAD has undertaken vegetation restoration projects within the officially designated Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network. Furthermore, it has introduced a native tree tagging programme and implemented integrated management practices for natural pastures. These initiatives adopt sustainable traditional practices to effectively manage grazing activities. All these projects are aimed at promoting natural regeneration, undertaking proactive land restoration, and enhancing drought resilience throughout the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The vegetation restoration projects are guided by Grazing Law 11 of 2020, which regulates grazing activities and introduced seasonal permits for managing grazing areas. This regulatory framework is implemented to reduce the impact of overgrazing by livestock which reduces productivity and exacerbates desertification.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD stated: “On World Environment Day, we acknowledge the significance of ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’. Abu Dhabi has been a pioneer in ecosystem restoration since the early 1970s with initiatives such as mangrove and forestry plantations. At EAD, through ongoing rangeland management, we are proactively taking steps to restore degraded land, promote sustainable grazing practices, and enhance resilience to desertification and drought which not only enhances rangeland productivity but also supports wildlife and improves overall ecosystem health and resilience. Our efforts to restore habitats closely align with the ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’, to rejuvenate degraded ecosystems globally”. She added: “To accomplish this, we have collaborated with various community groups and partners to advocate for a balanced approach that integrates sustainable land use practices with ecosystem restoration priorities. This approach also contributes to supporting the implementation of management initiatives to regulate grazing activities as an important tool in preserving wild plant species, as they are one of the most important components of our biodiversity ecosystem in Abu Dhabi”.
In line with the Year of Sustainability,the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with The National Aquarium (TNA) and The Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center (YSWRRC) has released a group of Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead rehabilitated turtles into their natural habitats, via the beach at Jumeirah Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. The National Aquarium oversaw the rehabilitation of 200 turtles while the YSWRRC rehabilitated a group of 14 Hawkbill turtles. The release of the turtles is a culmination of the rescue and rehabilitation programme of EAD in collaboration with The National Aquarium since a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2020 with a total of 1067 turtles being rescued. EAD also signed an MoU with YSWRRC in 2023, rescuing a group of 23 turtles.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD’s Secretary General on the occasion said: “It is always exciting when it is that time of the year where we release turtles back into their natural habitat. It reveals that all our rescue and rehabilitation programmes, whether in partnership with The National Aquarium or The Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center have been a great success. This cohort of turtles are a large number of 214 which will allow us to continue building a stable and abundant population of turtles in Abu Dhabi waters. We give special care to the turtles and we do all this work so that we are preserving our marine species for future generations so that they can enjoy a flourishing environment.” She added: “I would like to thank the public and volunteers who have assisted us in rescuing these vulnerable species and our partners who have helped rehabilitate the turtles prior to us releasing them. We greatly appreciate the dedication of the teams ensuring that the turtles get the best possible care.”
After the success of the 30th anniversary of the Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme (SZFRP) in May, the number of falcons that have returned to nature has reached 2,274 falcons. This comprises both Saker and Peregrine falcons that have been exposed to environmental pressures during the past 30 years. The programme was established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1995, and it has been continued under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and with the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). The Agency supervises the implementation of the programme in partnership with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) and Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH), with support from the Office of the Special Affairs Adviser Office – Presidential Court, and the Embassy of the UAE in Kazakhstan. In its landmark 30th edition this year, the programme successfully released 63 falcons, including 38 Peregrine falcons and 25 Saker falcons under the supervision of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee in the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture. The release took place within the migratory area of these falcons, covering parts of Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Mongolia and neighbouring countries. The nature of these areas is characterized by rugged mountains and vast plains that contain ideal habitats abundant with prey on which falcons can feed on.
Commenting on this new achievement of the programme on its 30th anniversary, His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of EAD and Vice Chairman of IFHC said: “Abu Dhabi and the UAE continue to lead nature conservation and protection of wildlife, in particular the internationally acclaimed efforts to conserve falcons, houbara and other wildlife species of ecological, cultural and historical importance. This is in order to increase their opportunities to overcome threats to their survival and prosper in the wild, in our pursuit of sustaining the historical heritage of falconry.”His Excellency recalled the establishment of this programme 30 years ago, noting that despite the ease of sustaining falcons throughout the year, thanks to scientific progress and improved economic conditions, the Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was committed to the tradition of our predecessors in releasing wild falcons after the hunting season. This was due to his belief in the importance of this tradition in preserving these species and protecting them from extinction.” His Excellency added: “The late Sheikh Zayed was not satisfied with merely reviving this sustainable tradition, so he initiated an institutional programme for releasing falcons 30 years ago – not only returning wild falcons to their remote habitats in Kazakhstan, China, Russia and other migration and breeding areas, but also rehabilitating them to adapt to the wilderness. In addition to conducting scientific studies and research to identify their biological characteristics, habitats, and migration paths.”
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has completed a groundbreaking, joint exploration mission of the Arabian Gulf, one of the world’s warmest seas, as part of a signed multilateral MoU with M42 Healthcare, Bayanat, and OceanX to explore the impacts of climate change on UAE waters. Over the course of a 20-day expedition aboard the OceanXplorer, the most advanced research vessel ever built, the team conducted joint research into environmental DNA (eDNA), analysed underwater microbial communities, evaluated nutrient concentrations, studied populations of large marine species, and surveyed the geology and bathymetry of the seafloor around the UAE.
During the expedition, a total of 10 submersible trips were conducted, including the first submersible excursion undertaken by two female Emirati scientists from EAD. The research expedition included 19 dives using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), collected 926 samples of marine water, biodiversity, and sediment, and supported 9 different studies from the EAD’s Abu Dhabi Environment Research Network in the UAE – a pioneering research network launched by the Agency to enhance environmental research in Abu Dhabi. Scientists involved in this mission included four Emirati scientists engaged in ground-breaking research on deep-sea biology, geology and oceanography around the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. In addition, onboard were scientists from five entities of ADERN. A total of 13 DNA samples were extracted from seven different whale and dolphin species. The genomes of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Indo-Pacific finless porpoise, and Indian Ocean humpback dolphin were also fully sequenced. In addition, a 773-nautical mile aerial survey was conducted, during which 12 sightings of various megafauna were recorded, including bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks and manta rays. The first observation of an endangered bramble shark in the UAE was made at a depth of about 850 metres. A total of 86 deep-water coral specimens were collected, and 1,257 square kilometres of high-resolution, multibeam bathymetry mapping was conducted, revealing active fault systems. By mapping the sea floor, the information gathered will help researchers identify and understand certain types of cracks and moving pieces in the Earth’s crust, which, crucially, helps to predict where earthquakes might happen and how underground fluids move in the area.
In 2023, a total of 314 governmental and private schools joined the internationally recognised Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI), which was launched by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in 2009. The programme helps harness the culture of sustainability, promote eco-friendly practices, educate school students to measure their environmental impact, inspire them to drive change, and empower them to be socially responsible in the future. To date, a total of 552 schools have joined the initiative, helping educate 344,384 students. Since their participation, a total of 153 schools have assessed their own environmental impact with 29,700 students performing community outreach through an SSI initiative called the Eco-club.In addition, 213,469 students took part in hands-on field trips with EAD providing training and resource materials for 4,646 teachers. Furthermore, 2,081 community outreach projects were completed while 32,000 visitors gained an understanding of SSI at COP28 in Dubai.
Ahmed Baharoon, the Executive Director of Environment Information, Science Outreach Management Sector, at EAD said: “Recently at EAD, we have been very active in encouraging schools to join our Sustainable Schools Initiative and, in 2023 alone, managed to sign up 314 schools, making a total of 552 schools involved in the initiative. This is tangible evidence of the profound interest in schools becoming more sustainable with students participating in activities can help create more awareness around the importance of the environment in their daily lives.” He added: “We are conducting a Green Stars accreditation system to assess participating schools based on their performance. This will incentivise other schools to take a more proactive approach to developing projects and initiatives geared towards protecting the environment and endorsing activations to stimulate student interest in sustainability.”
As part of the Year of Sustainability and World Environment Day, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) organised a workshop on ‘Empower Optimised Waste Management and Encourage a Circular Economy’, which was hosted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). This workshop highlighted the legislative and regulatory role of EAD in the waste sector and its five-year strategy (2021-2025), which integrates with other policies such as the Circular Economy Policy of the UAE (2021-2031) in coordination with the Agency’s strategic partners: Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Tadweer Group. The workshop was attended by representatives from the concerned governmental and private sectors. The participants reviewed the current status, challenges and trends of waste generation and management in Abu Dhabi where stakeholders unveiled their innovative and collective efforts to help manage waste efficiently and effectively. The representatives of the organisations also highlighted the key projects and initiatives that have been completed at the emirate level to achieve the desired goals of waste management.
The workshop also served as a platform to strengthen the partnerships between stakeholders in sustainable waste management. Key players explored potential sustainable solutions and opportunities for improving waste management in Abu Dhabi through interactive panel discussions and groups held during the workshop and shared best practices and lessons learned. They also identified appropriate solutions to the most prominent challenges facing the emirate in the field of waste management, such as the phenomenon of illegal waste dumping and leakage of waste outside the emirate. They also discussed how to attract investments in the field of waste recycling. The workshop highlighted the importance of forming a panel of expertise between the government and private sector to ensure that both sectors engage, share their input and provide concrete and feasible recommendations to help improve waste management in Abu Dhabi.
As part of its environmental education programmes, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced that since the launch of the e-Green platform in 2022, a total of 8,529 certificates have been issued. The platform currently attracts 3,900 active users and the combined total of course hours watched since its launch equates to two years and one month. A digital educational platform, e-Green was the first free-to-use and collaborative e-learning tool exclusively dedicated to the environmental sector in the region and is available to everybody. The platform hosts a total of 65 modules and 12 courses and, in 2023, EAD launched a course specifically dedicated to climate change to reflect the UAE’s hosting of COP28 in Dubai.
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The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi achieved second place in 2023 among government entities with medium case volumes, ranging from 1,000 to 15,000 cases annually. This ranking is based on performance indicators for case management and customer satisfaction within the Abu Dhabi Government Unified Customer Relationship Management System. EAD attained a score of 99.93%, which includes metrics such as case acceptance, case classification, adherence to case closure timelines, accuracy of responses, pending cases, and customer satisfaction for cases received through the Abu Dhabi Contact Center. This achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts and commitment of the “Customer Happiness Office” team and relevant sectors and departments within the agency to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. Their work focuses on enhancing customer experience and providing the best services to the community members benefiting from the agency’s services.
The handsome caracal is the second largest of the wild cats surviving in Arabia and is highly endangered. The caracal is mainly nocturnal and solitary but is known for its athletic to catch birds in flight. A Bedouin tale relates that the tufts of hair on the ears are used to attract birds who think the movement is made by an insect.
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