In an effort to encourage environmental consciousness and bolster efforts to combat climate change, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has initiated a new campaign to highlight successful efforts in sustainability.
This National Sustainability Campaign was announced by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee Responsible for Overseeing Preparations for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28 UAE). Its core purpose is to elevate the public’s awareness about various sustainability initiatives and projects within the nation.
The campaign’s dedicated website documents national initiatives and success stories relating to sustainability.
The UAE envisions this campaign as a catalyst, encouraging local communities to take an active role in climate action strategies. The intention is to establish a communal approach towards the adoption of environmentally friendly practices, fostering a society that’s not only aware about but also proactive in preserving the health of the planet.
In an historic decision back in October 2021, the UAE declared a commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. This pledge made it the first nation within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to do so. The UAE has committed to invest US $50 billion over the next decade to enhance climate action.
The Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, enthusiastically supported the campaign. She emphasized the move as a testament to the UAE’s resolve to mobilize local and community efforts towards sustainable living. “The National Sustainability Campaign will play a significant role in raising awareness in society and among different partners about the UAE’s efforts in local climate action,” she stated.
Almheiri went on to assert that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will liaise with various partners – federal and local government entities, along with private sector companies – to attain their environmental targets. “Our aim is to showcase the UAE’s efforts, projects, and initiatives that underline our country’s commitment to meet its climate obligations and achieve Net Zero by 2050,” she affirmed.
Aligned with the Paris Agreement’s objectives, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative seeks to prepare long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby aiming to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to pre-industrial levels.
In the pursuit of a sustainable future, the UAE is now spearheading collective action through an array of initiatives. These span from the ambitious goal of achieving net zero, to conservation projects both on land and at sea, underscoring the nation’s commitment to preserving the planet for generations to come.
