![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNBRLP6BPK7YUOQH5DE2KAYFUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=39f10d8b563da61f8fa3a263e2146756e4cd1b2b905737122c81ecbc09c43765&width=400&height=225)
A breeding programme run by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi helped bring Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction. Courtesy: EAD
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNFWKVQVYUP7YXWGJ3JGNLQV4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd063e0952cfc34b26a3653caf2cabb23f611d2db146634deca7ca9b23f2e9fe&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZJ2VDMTGD6ZBUV32ORVJ2NGLN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=43ee95555dd1068ea0af204399c295e010eb884d77e10a2e692342c1340e561a&width=400&height=225)
Umbrella Thorn Acacia trees are among the UAE's rich flora. Silvia Razgova / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FDAUGGZKDEZSSUVG3IBPNSEZBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6c2080791472612e4ca2da61d274274b1244a1e81b51aa2680a2ac483420c441&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi has the second-largest dugong population in the world. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSLZPYDWITIYXVPGCQEM7FPHVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=69449b84916e00ce297a6defde37ec5d2b445de4dfc7457c1b3121ba8f65f0e4&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VK7LL4U2I5RSSUIXIDSHPGPPEA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9f14767040442cfa4719ac30783c1be58046ba4b33f178851e10f5ea5543bab&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi's environment agency is working to protect Hawksbill and Green turtles which live in the emirate's waters. Courtesy TDIC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV6VALA5G5XYHRYVW4PZRE5DOE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7736237bb9079ac66999544eb1308ccfea1b9006611aa03bd20f95b0f0bfa75&width=400&height=225)
A cheetah at Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain. The zoo was founded by the Late President, Sheikh Zayed. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EMPNLB5QOFHX54JE5AMCA7F5YM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba7ec77abf8bdb4dbbf7e1b105dc313e5ce3de8bc3cbf08f3fbc8e9e2811e002&width=400&height=225)
An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGVR65FWLKVHPP3U3EZDK3OQ64.jpg?smart=true&auth=17a17b0ee1f8071c8f9055186732cd3c54ece1e8917cf13bdd1844edc146c009&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBUU3K42P7ODW32HDEMTIBUWY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d95737f8115c6c3e3982d390c0bd8793a05e622c9de48b7e10e050c96aa4e41&width=400&height=225)
Nuclear energy is also important. The first reactor at Barakah nuclear plant reached 100 per cent power in December 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SWUW2S66C55STYACKDYBDWKNQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab7a55fd35e8fef771924358b4880a17e0386a52ebed1982ab279eccb2c9ab2e&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal has won a coveted three-pearl rating under Abu Dhabi's Estidama, Arabic for sustainability, system. Courtesy KPF
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNBRLP6BPK7YUOQH5DE2KAYFUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=39f10d8b563da61f8fa3a263e2146756e4cd1b2b905737122c81ecbc09c43765&width=400&height=225)
A breeding programme run by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi helped bring Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction. Courtesy: EAD
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNFWKVQVYUP7YXWGJ3JGNLQV4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd063e0952cfc34b26a3653caf2cabb23f611d2db146634deca7ca9b23f2e9fe&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZJ2VDMTGD6ZBUV32ORVJ2NGLN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=43ee95555dd1068ea0af204399c295e010eb884d77e10a2e692342c1340e561a&width=400&height=225)
Umbrella Thorn Acacia trees are among the UAE's rich flora. Silvia Razgova / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FDAUGGZKDEZSSUVG3IBPNSEZBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=6c2080791472612e4ca2da61d274274b1244a1e81b51aa2680a2ac483420c441&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi has the second-largest dugong population in the world. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WSLZPYDWITIYXVPGCQEM7FPHVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=69449b84916e00ce297a6defde37ec5d2b445de4dfc7457c1b3121ba8f65f0e4&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VK7LL4U2I5RSSUIXIDSHPGPPEA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d9f14767040442cfa4719ac30783c1be58046ba4b33f178851e10f5ea5543bab&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi's environment agency is working to protect Hawksbill and Green turtles which live in the emirate's waters. Courtesy TDIC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MV6VALA5G5XYHRYVW4PZRE5DOE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7736237bb9079ac66999544eb1308ccfea1b9006611aa03bd20f95b0f0bfa75&width=400&height=225)
A cheetah at Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain. The zoo was founded by the Late President, Sheikh Zayed. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EMPNLB5QOFHX54JE5AMCA7F5YM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba7ec77abf8bdb4dbbf7e1b105dc313e5ce3de8bc3cbf08f3fbc8e9e2811e002&width=400&height=225)
An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGVR65FWLKVHPP3U3EZDK3OQ64.jpg?smart=true&auth=17a17b0ee1f8071c8f9055186732cd3c54ece1e8917cf13bdd1844edc146c009&width=400&height=225)
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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YBUU3K42P7ODW32HDEMTIBUWY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d95737f8115c6c3e3982d390c0bd8793a05e622c9de48b7e10e050c96aa4e41&width=400&height=225)
Nuclear energy is also important. The first reactor at Barakah nuclear plant reached 100 per cent power in December 2020.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SWUW2S66C55STYACKDYBDWKNQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab7a55fd35e8fef771924358b4880a17e0386a52ebed1982ab279eccb2c9ab2e&width=400&height=225)
Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal has won a coveted three-pearl rating under Abu Dhabi's Estidama, Arabic for sustainability, system. Courtesy KPF
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNBRLP6BPK7YUOQH5DE2KAYFUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=39f10d8b563da61f8fa3a263e2146756e4cd1b2b905737122c81ecbc09c43765&width=400&height=225)
A breeding programme run by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi helped bring Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction. Courtesy: EAD
UAE sustainability: How an Abu Dhabi fund is bringing world's endangered species back from brink
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund helps to save animals, plants and fungi
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
21 April, 2021
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