DUBAI 24/03/2022 (WAM). — The UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment met for the first time in 2022. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, presided.
The minister stated that the UAE had been a leader in the fight against climate change for three decades, thanks to its visionary leadership. The launch of the UAE Net Zero By 2050 Strategic Initiative was a significant achievement.
She said, “As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, and strategic partners from the private and public sectors, the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment meets regularly to review the progress of the implementation of the UAE’s climate initiatives in line with the Principles of the 50 which seek to promote sustainable economic growth and create a better future for the present and future generations.”
Participants gave an overview of the objectives, tasks and achievements of the council over its first cycle (2016-2019) and its second cycle (2020-2022), as well as its current organizational structure. The council’s proposed new structure was discussed by the participants. It includes the formation of the UAE Council for Climate Action and UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work. The new model is intended to increase the focus on shared interests among UAE entities, such as climate protection, environmental protection and municipal work. This will allow them to coordinate efforts and increase efficiency in implementing national strategy and plans.
Additionally, the council members reviewed the progress made by the UAE Net Zero By 2050 Strategic Initiative, which was launched in Oct 2021. They discussed the process for developing an implementation strategy. This included a status quo assessment, analysis of emissions and sources, the required legislative framework and evaluation of potential threats from climate change.
The meeting included updates on the nation’s drive to plant 100,000,000 mangroves by 2030. This was announced at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference. It was a bid to increase climate change mitigation, adaptation capacities, preserve the marine environment, conserve natural resources, and biodiversity in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants were briefed regarding the implementation plan for the mangrove plantation target. This will be done in collaboration with the federal government, local environmental agencies, the private sector and public welfare associations. The multi-phased strategy includes an assessment of mangrove cover, the identification of areas and the number of trees per location, and the execution of seedling plant programmes.
