AGEDI highlights Blue Carbon at COP 21

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The AGEDI team leveraged its Blue Carbon knowledge to contribute to climate change discussions at the Conference of Parties (COP), COP 21, in Paris, France.

The team highlighted Blue Carbon in panel discussions in theĀ IUCNĀ Pavilion,Ā Taking Implementation of Policy, Programmes and Projects of Blue Carbon Ecosystems to Scale: Identifying the Priority Next StepsĀ and during a speaking opportunity at the GCC Pavilion onĀ GCC regional efforts in their adaptation actions through: water conservation, marine protection, urban planning and desertification; including theirĀ mitigation co-benefits.

The GCC Blue Carbon workshop was also discussed at theĀ UNFCCCĀ andĀ UNEPĀ Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI) session, and the team also ensured a Blue Carbon contribution to a side event showcasing the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea regionsā€™ efforts in their adaptation actions through water conservation, marine protection, urban planning and desertification, including their mitigation co-benefits. Learn more about AGEDIā€™s Blue Carbon workĀ here.

Here’s a video from the conference.

Happy in the Mangroves

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Following the Internet phenomenon of the “Be Happy” Videos, it was decided at the inception workshop for the GEF Blue Forest project, hosted in Abu Dhabi in partnership with AGEDI, that all the Blue Carbon projects within Ā the programme would create their own “Be Happy” Videos.

Filmed during theĀ National Blue Carbon ProjectĀ Field Work, the video was launched at the Eye on Earth Summit 2015, creating an exciting buzz around alternative outreach methods inspiring all to create their own “Be Happy” videos.

Thanks to all the fieldwork volunteers who appear in the video and the scientists who took time out from their data collection to dance and Be Happy…

Launch of the National Blue Carbon Project Report

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The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) today launched the National Blue Carbon Project report, marking the first national quantification of the UAEā€™s Blue Carbon stocks, which will help guide decision-making in coastal ecosystem preservation and climate change mitigation. The Project was a collaborative initiative managed and facilitated by a partnership between MOEW and the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), and implemented in collaboration with the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) alongside the local authorities of the other emirates.

National Blue Carbon Project ā€“ Decision-maker Summary

National Blue Carbon Project ā€“ Executive Summary

AGEDI presents Blue Carbon work at Natural Capital Symposium

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Stanford, CA, USA –Ā AGEDI presented its Blue Carbon work at the 2015 Natural Capital Symposium – held atĀ Stanford University – which gathersĀ people from around the worldĀ thatĀ areĀ working to factor the true value of nature into decision-making. AGEDI participated in the Symposium’s Lightning Talks session, Ā highlighting itsĀ Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration ProjectĀ and how the projectĀ findingsĀ have been used inĀ Abu Dhabiā€™s coastal ecosystem management and climate change mitigation and development plans.

GEF Blue Forest Inaugural Meeting

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Abu Dhabi, UAE –Ā The Global Environment Facilityā€™s (GEF) Blue Forests Project had its inaugural meeting in Abu Dhabi in November, hosted by AGEDI. The Project helps develop Blue Carbon science and data management through the production of tools and the testing of methodologies that can be utilised and scaled up to the international arena, and will enhance blue carbon cooperation and training. AGEDI is a key partner of GEFā€™s efforts, with its local work in Blue Carbon having already helped guide the Project and its international members through knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.

AGEDI to start Phase II of Blue Carbon Project

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UAE –Ā Work on Phase II of the Blue Carbon Project will begin in September, expanding the science to the Northern and Eastern Emirates and to the GCC region, and extending the understanding and valuation aspects of coastal blue carbon ecosystem services. Phase II sees the incorporation of findings into policy creation as well, including the proposed compensation fund. AGEDIā€™s recommendations from Phase II will then be incorporated into local, national, regional and international programmes.

Phase I of Blue Carbon Project highlighted in SIDS Foresight Report 2014

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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the SIDS Foresight Report on priority issues for small island developing states (SIDS) this June. The report identified climate change impacts and related sea-level rise as the chief concern among 20 emerging issues impacting the environmental resilience and sustainable development prospects of SIDS. The findings from the recommendations of the 2011 UN-OHRLLS (UN Office of The High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States) report were reiterated, among which was calling for SIDS to ā€œestablish and strengthen national administrative and legislative capacity for developing and implementing integrated coastal zone management plans and strategies.ā€ AGEDIā€™s blue carbon demonstration project was referenced as a prime benchmark for SIDS in pursuing similar projects.

Read the report.

The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

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Abu Dhabi, UAE –Ā The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project, facilitated by the AGEDI was a one-year project, which commenced in November 2012. Supportive to AGEDIā€™s mandate and as one of the projects within the Eye on the Earth Oceans and Blue Carbon Special Initiative, the project was designed to deliver data sharing on a local level, support and encourage adaptation on a regional level and contribute to knowledge on the international stage.

Abu Dhabi was the ideal setting for such a project due to its innovative concepts and commitment to informed decision-making, in particular with regards the environment. In just over 40 years, Abu Dhabi has evolved from a small fishing community to the largest of the seven Emirates of the UAE.

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. This national affinity to the sea led to the initiation of the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project, with the aim of exploring the values coastal and marine ecosystems provide in the UAE, and to help preserve the Emirateā€™s environment and cultural heritage.

Download from the bluecarbonportal.org here:Ā Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project Final Publication

 

 

Management of Blue Carbon Resources in PERSGA Region

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The Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden held a two-day regional training workshop in Jeddah in September 2013. The workshop, titled “Assessment and Management of Blue Carbon Resources in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden” aimed to share data on the Gulf’s Blue Carbon Ecosystems and how they support vital environmental functions.

Huda Petra Shamayleh, AGEDI Co-Project Manager of the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project, gave a keynote presentation at the workshop, on the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Project. The presentation highlighted the Project’s research components and the findings from the various assessments conducted on the Blue Carbon Ecosystems of Abu Dhabi.