The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

Preface

The conservation of the marine and coastal environment of Abu Dhabi is deeply rooted in our culture. Honouring the legacy of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his bold efforts of mangrove plantations, we proudly embark on new avenues to protect our natural heritage. Studying Blue Carbon, the role that these ecosystems play in sequestering and storing atmospheric carbon, is an exciting opportunity for Abu Dhabi to deepen our understanding of the valuable services these ecosystems provide to our Emirate and its people. Through their beauty, their important role in preventing the loss of coastlines and cleaning water, and their habitat function for fish and iconic marine species such as dugong, mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass continue to deliver an array of critical contributions to the intricate web of life and living in the Emirate. Through targeted research and in close consultation with key actors in the Emirate, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi strives to support science-based decision-making that helps us to build on the value of ecosystems to people’s well-being in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration project is an outstanding example of local, regional and international cooperation that will advance the science and conservation of Blue Carbon ecosystems well beyond the Emirate.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak Secretary General Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)

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