Here is a video summary of the Annual Report 2020, which highlights our achievements and continuous efforts in protecting and conserving our biodiversity.
EAD’s Strategic Plan 2021–2025 comprises seven strategic priorities, supported by four enabling priorities. Below is our Priority 6 along with its sub-priorities:
Priority 6:
Adopt evidence-based environmental enforcement, rigorous permitting and compliance
Sub priority:
1. Assessment, permitting, compliance and enforcement
2. Management of environmental emergencies
Our Managing Director Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak was elected as President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and our Secretary General Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri was elected as the Regional Councillor for West Asia. The election results were announced at the World Conservation Congress in Marseilles, France on 8 September 2021. Our Managing Director’s role will involve implementing the 2021–2024 IUCN programme and enabling the development and adoption of evidence-based policies that support conservation. IUCN brings together organisations and experts to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development. Dr Shaikha will serve the global interests of IUCN and will provide guidance on the overall policies and programmes. We congratulate them on this great success, and we wish them all the best.
Our SG, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri highlighted the importance of empowering youth and encouraging them to take collective action for the preservation of the environment during her address to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Youth Summit 2021. The Youth Summit is part of the IUCN World Conservation Congress which was held in Marseille, France from 3 to 11 September 2021. Dr Shaikha informed her audience that roughly 75% of the population of 3 million is under the age of 35 years, with around 25 % of the population between 20–35 years’ old and expressed the importance to harness this critical resource and how the UAE government has recognised this by appointing one of the youngest ministers in the world at the age of 22.
EAD is participating in the18th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), which is hosted at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 27 September to 3 October. The theme for this year is shedding light on the vision for the environment for the next 50 years. This comes in line with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and the country’s 50th Anniversary. If you are interested to visit, please refer to the email sent from Internal@ead.gov.ae to access the self-registration link and to know the requirements needed to enter the exhibition.
EAD launched an ambitious project aimed to numbering and coding old, threatened trees which have historical importance in their natural environments and habitats spread across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. EAD will implement the numbering programme through dual initiatives, which includes giving each tree an identification tag bearing serial numbers classified according to the tree type, in addition to electronically numbering trees and identifying them via serial codes linked to geographical databases. This process is being implemented in this integrated form for the first time at the local and regional levels.
EAD launched the first ever Abu Dhabi Red List of Species, (AD-RLS) which is an assessment of the threat status of the emirate’s terrestrial and marine species. The development of the Abu Dhabi Red List of Species is the outcome of a project undertaken by EAD to understand and assess the risk faced by groups of species found in Abu Dhabi. A total of 244 species were assessed, including 101 plants, 49 birds, 9 marine species, 32 terrestrial mammals, 25 invertebrates, 26 reptiles and 2 amphibians. Out of the 244 species assessed, 74 are under different threat categories, such as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable.
EAD in partnership with the global energy company ENGIE, announced the launch of the second phase of the “Blue Carbon” Environmental and Social Responsibility project, during an event led by HE Dr Shaikha Salem al Dhaheri. After a successful pilot launched in 2020, the second phase of the project involves using highly innovative drone planting technology to sow mangrove seeds. The project was initiated last year, in a very successful test pilot where approximately 2 000 seeds were planted. As part of the second phase of the project, plant seeding will take place earlier in the season, from early September, to ensure they are given an increased chance to stabilize and grow. There will also be a change in seeding time, to ensure seeds are captured with the highest chance of survival.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG) launched the official call for entries for its 7th Annual ADSG Sustainable Business Leadership Awards 2021. The Awards will help to recognise and reward organisations and professionals in the region that are leading sustainability integration efforts and working towards sustainable business models and economy.
There are six award categories and the deadline to submit the entry is 5 October. For information, please send an email to adsgawards@adsg.ae
As part of the EAD Revised Brand Guidelines, PRC developed the EAD Environmental Icons Library which is now available in our EAD Majlis. The Icons are illustrations that will help you in your presentations, documents, publications, etc. The Library has a variety of icons for you to choose from. To access the EAD Environmental Icons please visit our EAD Majlis > Links You Need > Brand Bank > Environmental Icons Library.
EAD will be participating in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. The theme of EAD’s participation at ADIHEX will be about 50 years of success, growth and conservation as it will be related to the UAE’s 50th anniversary. Showcasing and celebrating EAD’s activities in the coming 50 years.
EAD is organising a series of workshops as part of a government-wide Abu Dhabi State of Environment Dashboard Initiative that aims to continuously enhance Abu Dhabi’s standing and credibility in international environmental rankings, in response to the aspirations of Abu Dhabi leadership with the support of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Outcomes from the workshops will feed into an environmental dashboard that will inform entities on their respective roles and responsibilities towards improving Abu Dhabi’s environment. The workshops will be on specific days starting 3 October to 15 November and each session will focus on a specific topic. A project microsite has just been created, from which you can obtain further details about the initiative.
The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our habitats, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. The theme for this year’s World Habitat Day is “Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world”.
Sustainability Day is celebrated to remind the community of the importance of caring for the environment and the steps to do it. On the last Wednesday of every October, schools, companies and organisations have dedicated this day to sustainable living.
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“Seeing all my colleagues and friends back in the office has been my happiest moment. And of course, being back to my job, delivering documents, letters, etc. to all the sectors and divisions at EAD. It just amazing that little by little we are getting back to our normal life.”
Frederick Ong Mojica
Messenger
Facility Management & Administration
Did you know that the Carpenter Moth species (Holcocerus gloriosus laudabilis) was discovered in Ain Al Faydah, Al Ain, during regular seasonal wildlife trapping carried out by the WAM invertebrate team? This fascinating moth species was collected in a light trap. The moth is approximately 20 mm long with white wings with brown spots. This species is previously known from Jordan, Israel, Egypt (Sinai), Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and Bahrain.
The moths usually lay eggs on trees under bark and the larvae live in the trunks or branches and require anywhere from 1–4 yeas to become adults.
Were you able to solve the crossword? Check the answers below.
1. Known as the “barking cat” after the noise it produces to ward off danger. (Caracal)
2. The Arabic name of a large, robust fish with numerous, small, orange or reddish-brown spots (Hamour)
3. They grow in different shapes depending on their species. Some of them resemble trees, brains, and honeycombs. (Corals)
4. A shy bird and rarely uses its voice. They spend most of their time on the ground searching for food, typically seeds, insects and small creatures. (Houbara)
5. The first protected area ever established in Abu Dhabi, and the first IUCN Green List protected area in the GCC. (Al Wathba)
6. The wood of these trees was traditionally used to build homes due to its hardness. (Gurm)
If you have any suggestions, comments or want to share news please send an email to internal@ead.gov.ae
