The UAE pledges $1.7 billion to achieve climate and biodiversity goals
At the World Climate Action Summit, the UAE Presidency's Director-General and Special Representative for COP28, Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, revealed groundbreaking environmental initiatives. Working with multiple organizations, this large-scale project has a $1.7 billion initial commitment and seeks to solve both climate change and biodiversity goals at the same time.
A Shift towards Nature
Speaking at a press conference within the Blue Zone, Al Suwaidi emphasized the shift towards nature, rallying governments and non-state entities to safeguard and rejuvenate ecosystems ranging from hills to coral reefs. He highlighted the UAE's pride in its heritage of nature-based climate action across diverse landscapes, acknowledging the interconnectedness of climate and nature challenges.
Global Nature Crisis
Expressing concern over the unprecedented global loss of nature, Al Suwaidi underscored the direct threat to societies, the escalation of greenhouse gas emissions, and the limitations imposed on climate adaptation efforts. He referenced the joint initiative announced by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and COP28 to mobilize resources and political support for nature, leading up to COP30 in Belém.
Historic Commitments and Alliances
Al Suwaidi expressed aspirations for historic commitments and alliances, particularly focusing on integrating nature and climate goals. He called for intensified efforts concerning forests, mangroves, natural sites, and the expansive development of nature's hybrid capital.
Guardians of Coastal Lands
Al Suwaidi highlighted the importance of mangrove trees in the United Arab Emirates, stressing their role in preventing coastal areas from eroding, providing habitats for fish and migrating birds, and functioning as carbon absorbers, a large-scale natural method of sequestering carbon dioxide. He mentioned the UAE's and Indonesia's partnership in the Mangrove Alliance, which aims to broaden and revitalize mangrove habitats worldwide.
