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The experience and knowledge gained from

the project will help guide other Blue Carbon

projects and international efforts, such as

the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Blue

Forests Project of which the Abu Dhabi Blue

Carbon Demonstration Project is a key part.

It also helps develop Blue Carbon science

and data management through the testing of

methodologies and the production of tools that

can be utilized and up-scaled to the international

arena and will enhance international Blue

Carbon cooperation and training.

Why Abu Dhabi?

With the vision and direction from His Highness

the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,

the environment has become an intrinsic part

of the heritage and traditions of the people of

the UAE. The national affinity to the sea has led

to the initiation of the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon

Demonstration project in order to explore the

values, which coastal ecosystems provide the

UAE, and to help preserve the environmental and

cultural heritage. The project follows on from the

Blue Carbon: First level exploration of natural

coastal carbon in the Arabian Peninsula - Rapid

Feasibility Study, 2011

and has, through its

execution, increased awareness of this concept

with those who have direct interactions with and

influence over these ecosystems in Abu Dhabi.

At the regional level, Abu Dhabi’s Blue Carbon

areas help maintain the web of life in both the

Gulf and the coastal areas in countries bordering

it, an increasingly critical contribution given the

rapid loss of these ecosystems.

On a global scale, understanding these

ecosystems in terms of the benefits they offer

and the ways they are threatened contributes

to the body of worldwide knowledge. This

is particularly relevant when assuming

environmental conditions in the Gulf region,

with its high temperatures and salinity and low

precipitation, to be a potential harbinger of

things to come in certain regions of the globe in

a future of climate change.

Stakeholders

Reflective of the nature of this Demonstration

Project, stakeholders ranged from local

experts to members of the international Blue

Carbon community. These stakeholders were

approached to help ensure inclusion of those

who support Blue Carbon through their specific

expertise and guidance, and have interest in

furthering the conservation of marine and

coastal ecosystems in Abu Dhabi as well as

regionally and internationally.

The project also incorporated stakeholder

views on existing policy, market and

investment frameworks, and their preferences

for their application. In addition, it brought

together international and locally based

experts, including observers from Indonesia

and Madagascar who are undertaking related

projects. The sharing of information between

such pioneering projects has been a great

learning experience for all parties.

Blue Carbon is a relatively recent and promising

approach to conserving marine and coastal

ecosystems. As such its local, regional and

international successes rely on stakeholders

expertise, guidance and dedication to creating

a future of sustainability and prosperity and

sincere gratitude is expressed to all involved.

Bu Tinah Island, Abu Dhabi.

© AGEDI/Rob Barnes

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