Large interest has already been raised in showcasing the NbS project as one of the efforts the UAE is taking towards fulfilling its climate-related commitments. The hosting of COP28 by the UAE will be an opportunity for the country to showcase regional climate and conservation successes and drive further economy-wide ambition and action. COP27 was the strategic intermediate step to start building up this momentum.

During a high-level meeting at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, a collaboration agreement was signed between Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature-WWF (ENWWF).

The collaboration showcases the UAE’s commitment to scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as a key pillar to tackling climate change and nature loss in the lead-up to COP28 to be held in the country next year. Nbs is a key tool as it addresses the triple helix of climate change; mitigation, adaptation and the preservation of biodiversity conservation can be tackled especially through an inclusive multi-stakeholder approach.

In parallel, EAD and ENWWF organised a side event within the UAE Pavilion to demonstrate how NbS for Climate were important as well as, drawing from the UAE Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to discuss how ocean and climate policies could further support scaling up NbS. HSBC was also part of the panellists and emphasised the role of the financial sector as a decisive player in driving change by shifting financial flows. It was the perfect occasion to prove, once again, how the NbS project in the UAE will support the UAE’s strategic initiative to reach Net Zero by 2050. We hope to showcase key milestones collectively with all our partners during the next COP28.

Finally, Emirates Nature-WWF’s Director General Laila Mostafa Abdullatif participated as a panellist at the IUCN side event 'Catalyzing Nature-based Solutions for Climate & Biodiversity Action', which explores synergies with the ENACT Partnership for Nature-based Solutions, and share global commitments to scale up action on NbS. Initiatives such as ENACT play a key role in bringing non-state actors working on NbS together, to foster collaboration and bring global coherence to activities.