Gulf waters already changing 'dramatically' due to global warming, research finds

Three UK government reports show rising sea levels and temperatures in the Gulf and Sea of Oman

The UAE is known for protecting the environment. Here Environment Agency Abu Dhabi staff release a tagged flamingo as part of Abu Dhabi Birdathon initiative. Courtesy Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

Umbrella Thorn Acacia trees are among the UAE's rich flora. Silvia Razgova / The National

Abu Dhabi has the second-largest dugong population in the world. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

Love of nature is part of life here. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with a sea turtles he helped release into the wild. Instagram/ @faz3

Abu Dhabi's environment agency is working to protect Hawksbill and Green turtles which live in the emirate's waters. Courtesy TDIC

A cheetah at Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain. The zoo was founded by the Late President, Sheikh Zayed. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE is also embracing clean energy. This computer-generated image shows what phase four of Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park, currently under construction in Dubai. Image courtesy of Acwa Power

Nuclear energy is also important. The first reactor at Barakah nuclear plant reached 100 per cent power in December 2020.

Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal has won a coveted three-pearl rating under Abu Dhabi's Estidama, Arabic for sustainability, system. Courtesy KPF

A breeding programme run by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi helped bring Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction. Courtesy: EAD

The warm waters of the Middle East are already changing dramatically due to global warming, with sea levels and temperatures rising, and marine biodiversity affected.

Fish stocks are declining, and critical habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes and sea grasses are degrading across the region, three UK reports focusing on the Middle East have said.

It is imperative that we listen to these reports, and I call on friends and partners in the Gulf to join us in taking action to tackle climate change

James Cleverly,
UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa

The studies show climate change is also making the sea more acidic, and in some areas leading to deoxygenation, which can contribute to fish kill events, when a large number of aquatic animals die over a short period of time within a defined area.

The reports were published by the International Marine Climate Change Centre based at the UK government’s Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science.

Researchers collaborated with experts from universities, research institutions and government bodies across the Regional Organisation for Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) sea area, which includes the waters around Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The environmental studies looked at the impact and risks of marine climate change to societies, economies and biodiversity of the region, and the potential for blue carbon habitats – such as sea grass beds and mangroves – across the region to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

Indian Ocean humpback dolphin has been added to the Abu Dhabi Red List of Wildlife Species Report. Photo: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)

The documents show that changes to the waters of the Gulf and Sea of Oman in particular, are already occurring. The key findings from the reports include:

• The effects of climate change, including rising temperatures and sea levels, are already occurring across the ROPME sea area and are projected to accelerate in future.
• Climate change and other conditions caused by human activity are causing degradation and loss of critical habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses across the region.
• Climate change will lead to a decline in numbers of fish, an important source of food across the region.
• Coastal storms and cyclones are predicted to become more intense causing significant risks to coastal communities, industry and infrastructure from storm damage and coastal flooding.
• Increasing water temperatures may lead to an increase in phytoplankton and jellyfish leading to harmful algal blooms that can block desalination plants and coastal industrial cooling systems.
• Blue carbon ecosystems, such as sea grass beds remove CO2 and need protecting to continue absorbing CO2 from the air. These ecosystems also support climate change resilience by providing coastal protection and supporting productive fisheries.

Dr Hassan Mohammadi, co-ordinator of ROPME, which has its headquarters in Kuwait said the reports show immediate action is needed.

“The ROPME sea area is getting warmer, climate change is already impacting our marine environments which will affect local employment and the life our seas, reefs, mangroves and other important habitats support," said Mr Mohammadi.

"These findings form part of our climate action strategy, giving us the knowledge to carry out further research and advice on climate change.”

Ali Al Suwaidi, of Emirates Marine Environmental Group; Heba Al Shehi, from Ministry of Climate Change; and Omar Channawi, chief executive of Procter and Gamble in the Middle East, plant saplings at Dubai Mangroves Forest at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Nearly 1,000 trees were planted at the opening as this drone footage shows

The project by Emirates Marine Environmental Group and Procter & Gamble is in sync with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s plan for more than half of the city to be transformed into nature reserves by 2040

View of the Dubai Mangroves Forest at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary

Nature enthusiasts will soon be able to male a booking to plant a mangrove after Eid with details being firmed up with Dubai Municipality

The area now has small clusters of mangroves within the sanctuary situated near the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border

The stretches of beach are a breeding ground for endangered species including the hawksbill and green turtles

Mr Al Suwaidi says he hopes one million mangroves are planted this year

Schools and companies would be encouraged to join in the campaign to tackle climate change

The group already organises community events so school children and nature enthusiasts can be part of turtle release projects and mangrove planting

View of the Dubai Mangroves Forest at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary

Mangroves, small trees that grow in saltwater, are an important part of the country’s ecosystem

The main objective of ROPME is to co-ordinate the efforts of the eight member states towards protecting the marine and coastal environment and ecosystems in the ROPME sea area against marine pollution.

The organisation also focuses on stressors that might be induced from developmental activities or / and other drivers of change.

The UK minister for the Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly said the three reports showed co-ordination was key ahead of a major climate conference in November.

"In the year that the UK will be hosting the COP26, I am proud that UK experts working with ROPME are helping us better understand the damaging effects of climate change," said Mr Cleverly.

"It is imperative that we listen to these reports, and I call on friends and partners in the Gulf to join us in taking action to tackle climate change.”

UAE action against climate change

In recent years the UAE has stepped up its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. The country has invested heavily in innovation and low-carbon energy, especially renewables such as solar power.

The UAE was also the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to set an economy-wide reduction in emissions by 2030, as part of its second Nationally Determined Contributions.

In 2019 the UAE signed up to the target of protecting or conserving at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans, joining a group of 80 other countries.

Visitors look out over the mangroves at Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Mangroves play an important environmental role in the the UAE.

The sun sets over Jubail Mangrove Park.

Jubail Mangrove Park reopened to visitors in October 2020, after it was closed to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The park first opened in January 2020 with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of mangroves in the UAE.

Residents take an evening stroll through the mangrove park at Jubail Island.

The one million-square-metre site features a winding boardwalk.

Mangroves, an important part of the UAE's ecosystem, have been protected for decades, after large-scale plantation programmes were initiated by the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.

The small trees grow in saltwater, protect coastlines from erosion, provide a breeding ground for fish, and absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

There are 13 major mangrove sites in the UAE, but most are in Abu Dhabi's 19-square-kilometre Mangrove National Park, which constitutes 75 per cent of the 4,000 hectares of mangroves in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency works constantly to rehabilitate and protect the emirate's mangrove forests. In the past decade, the authority has overseen the planting of 3.1 million saplings on the coasts of Al Gharbia, Saadiyat, Jubail and Habitat island.

In Dubai, the Emirates Marine Environmental Group is working with consumer goods giant Procter and Gamble to develop the Dubai Mangrove Forest in the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary.

More than 1,000 trees have already been planted and organisers plan for at least 500,000 square metres of sand to be blanketed by greenery.

Schools and companies are being encouraged to join the campaign to plant one million mangroves this year.

In the long term, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, plans for more than half of the city to be transformed into nature reserves under the Dubai Urban Master Plan for 2040.

Watch: Emirati kayaker joins fight to protect Abu Dhabi's mangroves