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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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