AGDEI launches ‘Blue Carbon’ project
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The Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), supported by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched the ‘Blue Carbon’ project that connects local natural coastal ecosystem management with climate change mitigation.
The Blue Carbon coastal ecosystems include mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and saltwater marshlands, which serve as carbon sinks.
These Blue Carbon ecosystems continuously store and sequester carbon at rates much faster than tropical forests. Some healthy coastal marine ecosystems play roles in storing greenhouse gases, thereby help to mitigate climate change.
The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration project draws together an international team of coastal carbon experts to investigate the critical role our local coastal ecosystems play in climate change and climate change mitigation. The project aims to assess the carbon and ecosystem services of Abu Dhabi’s coastal habitats, gain an understanding of their geographic extent and assess blue carbon in a climate and policy framework for the development of potential mitigation initiatives in the UAE.
In addition, the outcomes hope to provide management options for preservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are an important part of the UAE’s natural ecosystem and have been planted in many locations throughout the UAE since the 1970’s.
“The knowledge gained from this local project will help pave way for other national blue carbon projects and international efforts for a greener economy and natural climate change mitigation,” said HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general, EAD.