Cop26: UAE pledges to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, announces higher target after initial promise to plant 30 million mangroves

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 UAE has stepped up its ambition to expand its mangrove cover by promising to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030.

The Emirates originally agreed to plant 30 million saline-tolerant trees by 2030, in its second Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, announced the new target at a high-level ministerial meeting on adaptation action during Adaptation, Loss and Damage Day at Cop26 in Glasgow.

Speaking at the event that was held on Monday, Ms Al Mheiri said the UAE was keen to use nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

"I am proud to announce an important new step in strengthening our blue carbon ecosystems – an increase in our mangrove-planting target to 100 million by 2030," she said.

"We aim to work closely with non-governmental organisations and the private sector to fulfil our commitment to safeguarding the sustainability of our mangrove forests.”

Blue carbon is carbon captured by the oceans and coastal ecosystems.

Mangroves in the UAE

Mangroves reduce carbon emissions and provide critical natural habitats for baby fish and other sea creatures.

The trees also protect the UAE’s coasts from rising sea levels and storms.

The Emirates is already home to 60 million mangroves that form forests spanning 183 square kilometres and capture 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Planting 100 million mangroves will increase the coverage to 483 square kilometres, with the forests able to capture about 115,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Dubai launches mangrove-planting initiative