For the first time in the region,

Abu Dhabi Recognised as a Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development

As part of the Year of Community, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has successfully secured recognition for Abu Dhabi as a member of the United Nations University (UNU) network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). With this achievement, Abu Dhabi becomes the first centre of expertise for environmental education and sustainability in the GCC region.

Through its digital platform naha, EAD will lead this regional mission, driving collective efforts to advance knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the adoption of best practices in education for sustainable development. This initiative aims to safeguard and sustain the environment, enhancing quality of life for current and future generations.

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said: “The recognition of Abu Dhabi by the United Nations University as the first regional centre for environmental education in the region underscores our forward-thinking approach to sustainability. It marks our commitment to strengthening environmental awareness and education for sustainable development. By harnessing the latest innovations and modern technologies, we continue to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s leadership in global environmental action.” She added: “Environmental awareness and education are catalysts for conservation and development within our strategic framework. By broadening community engagement and forging regional and global partnerships, we are supporting the emirate’s vision for a more sustainable and promising future for the generations to come.”

EAD launches Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens initiative

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Abu Dhabi Coral Garden initiative has been launched by the agency. The largest project of its kind in the Middle East, the project is a significant step in protecting the marine environment and enhancing marine biodiversity in Abu Dhabi. The initiative, which will be implemented between 2025 and 2030, aims to create coral gardens in the emirate by deploying 40,000 artificial reef modules made of environmentally durable materials and designed in different shapes and sizes to support the growth and reproduction of marine organisms. The coral gardens will extend over a total area of 1,200 square kilometres, equivalent to approximately 200,000 football pitches, in Abu Dhabi’s coastal and deep waters, especially in areas devoid of coral reef or seagrass habitats. Several artificial reef modules will also be implanted with live coral reef fragments raised in the coral reef nursery of Abu Dhabi. The fragments are selected from the highly resilient coral species, that are tolerant to high marine water temperatures. This will support the coral reefs’ growth, reproduction, and help restore the natural marine ecosystem. In addition, these gardens will provide safe havens for the release of local farmed fish species to support their natural growth and reproduction in the marine environment.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “Protecting the marine environment and enhancing its sustainability is an essential part of the UAE’s vision to ensure a sustainable future for future generations. The Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens initiative embodies Abu Dhabi’s commitment to implementing innovative, nature-based solutions to support marine biodiversity, rehabilitate, and restore natural resources in line with economic development plans. “We are proud that Abu Dhabi is a regional leader in implementing this ambitious initiative, which not only contributes to enhancing fish stock and protecting marine habitats, but also affirms the emirate’s position as a global model in addressing environmental challenges and achieving a balance between development and nature conservation. The success of this initiative is the result of continuous cooperation with various entities and partners, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative in protecting our coasts, supporting eco-tourism and food security, as part of our efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.”

EAD expands coral reefs rehabilitation project

Following the successful restoration of one million coral colonies in Abu Dhabi since 2021, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), has directed the expansion of the scope of the agency’s coral rehabilitation project to outplant more than four million coral colonies in the emirate’s waters by 2030. This will cover an area estimated to be more than 900 hectares, making it the largest coral rehabilitation project in the world. EAD’s coral rehabilitation project had successfully reached the target of one million colonies whereby rrestoration took place in eight different sites, covering over 300 hectares. This has led to an increase in Abu Dhabi’s coral coverage as the restored coral areas have seen over 95 per cent success rate. The restored sites are already showing signs of recovery, as life is starting to form around them, with more than 50 per cent increase in fish biomass and diversity. Furthermore, exceptionally and atypical of corals, those in the nursery and across restored areas continued to grow even during the summer, which indicates their ability and high resistance to withstand severe climatic conditions. The scope of the coral restoration project included the development of coral nurseries that help mitigate the adverse impact of both natural and anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs arising from coastal development and climate change, including the immediate threat of rising seawater temperatures.

EAD Successfully Disperses 6.5 Million Native Seeds Across its Nature Reserves

As part of its continued drive to adopt cutting-edge technologies that support biodiversity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has completed its 2025 native seed dispersal programme in nature reserves. The initiative, conducted in partnership with UK-based environmental restoration company Dendra, used custom-designed drones to carry out aerial seeding. The Agency continues to advance its drone-based seeding programme through the expertise of a dedicated team comprising seasoned professionals and promising young Emirati talent. The team carries out comprehensive studies and precise assessments of vegetation cover within the targeted reserves, taking into account soil characteristics and their suitability for the native plant species selected under the programme. Commenting on the initiative, Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, stated: “We successfully implemented one of the largest drone-based seeding operations ever undertaken in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, within a notably short timeframe. This achievement is in line with Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy and covered a total of 320 hectares of habitat, many of which were seeded for the first time.”

EAD Issues a New Regulation on Environmental Emergency

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a new regulation on environmental emergency preparedness and response in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This regulation empowers the Agency to take immediate and decisive action in the event of potential environmental emergencies, minimising their impacts and ensuring proactive environmental protection through its established procedures. Developed under Law No. 16 of 2005 concerning the reorganisation of EAD and its amendments, the regulation applies to all facilities and projects in Abu Dhabi that require licensing by the Agency. It specifically governs entities whose activities result in, or may lead to, environmental pollution affecting marine or terrestrial ecosystems or air quality, potentially triggering an environmental emergency. Implemented within EAD’s comprehensive framework for assessment, licensing, enforcement, and environmental inspection, the regulation ensures rigorous oversight of all environmental activities while providing appropriate proactive and corrective measures to counter or mitigate potential emergencies.

EAD Launches Instant Grazing License Service Via ‘TAMM’

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched an instant service to obtain a grazing license for eligible individuals through the ‘TAMM’ platform. The Agency also announced the start of the grazing season in the emirate, which will run from 15 May to 15 October, 2025. The launch of the service falls within the requirements of implementing Law No. (11) of 2020 regulating grazing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its executive regulations. As the competent authority for environmental affairs in Abu Dhabi, EAD seeks to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in accordance with the highest environmental standards, while meeting the needs of the local community and preserving pastoralism as a traditional practice and an integral part of the UAE’s national identity.

Based on the executive regulations of the Grazing Regulation Law, EAD issues licenses to camel owners and breeders who meet specific criteria. To obtain a camel grazing license, the applicant must be a UAE citizen, at least 21 years’ old, and employ a ranger for the camels whom must be at least 18 years’ old. The applicant must also have a valid livestock inventory certificate approved by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Camel owners and breeders can apply for a grazing license through the ‘Tamm’ platform via the platform’s official website: https://www.tamm.abudhabi/en.