International impact of Blue Carbon in Abu Dhabi

One success that the Blue Forests Project is particularly proud of comes through co-finance from the United Arab Emirates and the Abu Dhabi Global Data Initiative (AGEDI).

In November 2012, the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project was initiated by the AGEDI and supported by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). The project`s aim was to improve understanding of the valuable ecosystem services that coastal blue carbon ecosystems provide, and explore policy avenues for applying these values to support goals in conservation and climate change.

In September 2014, AGEDI launched the second phase of the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration project spreading the science to other parts of the Emirate and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and providing further knowledge about the value of coastal blue carbon ecosystems and its potential contribution to climate change mitigation efforts.

The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project has been a great success and had a significant impact both nationally and internationally. Within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the value of blue carbon has been successfully incorporated into policy at the municipal, Emirate and national levels. Additionally, the UAE’s international commitment on climate change features the value of blue carbon. The experience and knowledge attained from it continues to serve as a guide for other blue carbon projects, including through the networks of the Blue Forests Project and the International Partnership on Blue Carbon.

We are happy to share some of the pictures that were taken during a fieldwork in Abu Dhabi and around the beautiful mangroves of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah.