Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak is president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the leadership team of Cop28 UAE
May 22, 2024
Every breath we take, every sip of water we drink, and every meal we enjoy owes a debt to nature. Today in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, we are reminded of how the natural world supports us daily. Our survival hinges on the intricate web of life consisting of biodiversity and ecosystems down to the plants, creatures and microorganisms that sustain us.
Yet this incredible natural system is under incredible strain. According to scientific estimates, up to one million species face extinction due to deforestation, pollution, climate change and overexploitation. This crisis places entire ecosystems in jeopardy, which in turn threatens food and water security, human health and livelihoods.
We cannot lose the invaluable contributions that nature provides. Bees and other pollinators are crucial for sustaining agriculture, wetlands naturally filter water and prevent storm surges, and forests store vast amounts of carbon.
But without committed and urgent action, we risk the collapse of our ecosystems.
Thankfully, it is not all doom and gloom. Around the world, people, governments and organisations are taking action. In the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, all nations agreed to protect 30 per cent of their land and seas by 2030.
Al Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. AP
We cannot lose the invaluable contributions that nature provides
This is why the efforts, negotiations and decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are so significant.
In Dubai last December, the presidencies of the Cop28 climate conference (hosted by the UAE) and Cop15 biodiversity meeting (held in China) called for aligning biodiversity action plans with national climate strategies into one unified approach. Governments were urged to consider ecosystems, biodiversity and carbon stores when developing stronger climate action plans. This alignment aims to create comprehensive action plans that integrate both climate and biodiversity strategies.
The UAE Consensus – the set of negotiated outcomes agreed upon at Cop28 – emphasised halting deforestation by 2030, restoring degraded ecosystems and recognising the vital role of nature in climate solutions. It included a pledge to eliminate 14 per cent of global emissions by reducing deforestation, supported by a total of $2.7 billion in funding to protect and restore nature. Modelling by example, the UAE also committed $100 million specifically for forest preservation, reinforcing the need for immediate and effective global efforts.
Climate action and biodiversity protection are not just about signing diplomatic agreements. They must be addressed at all levels.
Consider the fact that indigenous peoples and local communities have long been custodians of our natural world and their intergenerational knowledge and contributions must be recognised. Their role in forest management, conservation and protecting vulnerable communities is invaluable.
Here in the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has implemented several initiatives to engage citizens in mangrove reforestation, while the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi partners with Emirates Nature-WWF and local businesses for sustainable coastal management.
People from all around the world, including the small island nation of Tuvalu, descend on Cop28 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Performance artist Marius Diaconu leads a Unity Dance on the opening day at Expo City. Chris Whiteoak / The National
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the second day of the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors from Ecuador at the event. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Saudi pavilion turned heads. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Protesters held flags reading: 'No climate justice without human rights.' Chris Whiteoak / The National
Global cultures on full display on day three. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sadhguru, founder and head of India's Isha Foundation, on day three. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Cop28 demonstrators call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Pawan Singh / The National
Brazil's popular pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Expo City's impressive dome at night. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Commissioned artwork titled The Choice by Tristan Eaton at Expo City. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors young and old at the site. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The summit is a global affair. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Activists air their hopes at the site. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Local and international communities are working together to secure a greener future. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors arrive for day six of the summit. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Young activists from Engajamundo protest about smog being created from deforestation in the Amazon. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Colours on display on day six. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Members of a Sikh human rights group in attendence. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Egyptian comic Bassem Youssef attends a talk on the sixth day. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Wake up experience with Sadhguru. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Wake up experience with Sadhguru. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The first week of talks finished on a high, with hard negotiations planned for the second one. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Protestors call for a ban on fossil fuels. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Day seven's Sustainable Fashion show. Pawan Singh / The National
Talks resumed on day nine, after a one-day break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Friends for Future protest to phase out fossil fuels on day nine. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice also demonstrate. Chris Whiteoak / The National
International visitors at the site on day 11. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People protest about 'no climate justice without human rights'. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Mariam Almheiri, minister of Climate Change and Environment, speaks at the launch ceremony of the environmental identity. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Visitors watch the protests. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Day 11 at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Day 11 at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Indonesian dancers perform on day 12. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Day 12 at Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Negotiations remain under way on day 12. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Messages left at the Indonesian pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Protestors call for climate action to extend to food systems. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Nuclear for Climate demonstrators. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President, arriving for the plenary session on day 14. Pawan Singh / The National
Globally, organisations associated with regional conservation, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, play a pivotal role in bringing together countries and partners. The IUCN’s seven expert commissions, with 15,000 scientists, create tools and standards such as the Red List of Threatened Species and Key Biodiversity Areas that inform national strategies.
Across various sectors, the path forward demands shared knowledge and practical solutions.
Businesses need to adopt sustainable practices, whether through responsible waste management, ensuring sustainable supply chains, or investing in climate-critical technologies. Governments should ensure that environmental policies account for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the global impacts of local actions. Civil society can amplify voices for change, educating the public on the importance of biodiversity and advocating for greener choices.
These actions and networks are so important as we approach crucial meetings such as the Bonn Climate Conference, the Cop29 climate conference in Azerbaijan and Cop16 biodiversity conference in Colombia.
Each represents a milestone where diverse stakeholders align their strategies and update commitments towards safeguarding biodiversity and mitigating climate impacts.
Political will, inclusive engagement, multilevel action, financial support and disciplined execution will be critical in the months and years ahead. The frameworks and plans are in place, but real change requires our collective commitment. On this International Day for Biological Diversity, we must all, as this year’s theme suggests, “Be Part of the Plan”.
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The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book:I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
United States
2.
China
3.
UAE
4.
Japan
5
Norway
6.
Canada
7.
Singapore
8.
Australia
9.
Saudi Arabia
10.
South Korea
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces
Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
RESULT
Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg
Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Name: Thndr Started: 2019 Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr Sector: FinTech Headquarters: Egypt UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi Current number of staff: More than 150 Funds raised: $22 million
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
