The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

© AGEDI/Rob Barnes

Bu Tinah Island, Abu Dhabi.

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.

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