Today's Edition
TAHA HASSIB (ABU DHABI)
The 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held in the UAE witnessed a significant momentum of ideas, initiatives, and commitments.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, the Director-General of the Emirates Nature-WWF (EN-WWF), gave Aletihad her perspective on the conference, especially as a mem- ber of the Advisory Committee for the COP28 Presidency, alongside a group of global experts.
Abdullatif said that her participation in the committee is a recognition of the centrality of the interaction and interconnectedness between nature and science in climate action.
She pointed out that the inclusion of EN-WWF as an environmental charity in the advisory committee for the COP28 Presidency is not symbolic but stems from the extensive knowledge that the society has gained through practical work in the UAE.
“The society has accumulated experiences through diverse partnerships aimed at advancing climate action and nature protection. These invaluable insights contribute to building a positive world towards nature in fulfilment of the climate neutrality strategy,” she said.
She is convinced that protecting and restoring natural assets, which act as strong carbon sinks, is an integral part of the path towards limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. In addition to carbon sequestration, these assets provide essential benefits that support the foundations of our society and economy.
Abdullatif emphasised that COP28 was the result of efforts that continued over the past 12 months, dominated by priority topics such as mitigating the impacts of climate change, adapting to it, resilience and adaptability, nature conservation, sustainability, and financing. The discussions ranged from raising awareness about urgent issues to taking bold and credible measures to support national-level carbon removal efforts and integrating the interest of nature into the decision-making process.
Abdullatif called for the participation of all sectors, along with a collective commitment to shaping a path that harmonises nature, science, and societal wellbeing.
She said: “I am pleased to witness diverse voices gaining representation at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference. In this crucial journey towards achieving the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, the participation of every sector in society is not only beneficial but essential. The private sector and civil society, as non-governmental active entities, must actively participate in shaping the path towards a sustainable future.”
Era of Cooperation and Partnerships
COP28 marks the beginning of the transition to the post-fossil fuel era. Governments and markets must leverage this result as it clearly indicates the start of the massive growth of renewable energy sources, Abdullatif emphasised, adding that the science is clear; global emissions must peak by 2025 and then decline by half by 2030 to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This goal remains unchanged.
“Therefore, we must continue to do everything in our power to reduce emissions, engage non-governmental stakeholders and civil society to take greater actions, thereby increasing national ambition towards climate neutrality commitments, and protecting and restoring natural reserves and financing nature-based solutions,” she noted.
To achieve this goal, Abdullatif affirmed: “We are now in an era of cooperation and partnerships. One successful outcome of COP28 was the establishment of global cooperation and partnerships between the public and private sectors, which can provide enabling mechanisms for qualitative change, secure funding and technology.”
She highlighted that in addition to the historic agreement to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund (valued at $792 million), 11 commitments and declarations were announced at COP28, seeing these steps as going in the right direction, but emphasised that these voluntary commitments must be translated into tangible actions in the coming months and years, saying: “Our role is clear, and we must leverage the strong momentum and commendable collaboration that took place during the latest edition of the Conference of the Parties to ensure a strong legacy after this climate summit, locally in the United Arab Emirates,” she noted.
With 20 years of experience in nature conservation, the EN-WWF enjoys rich heritage. The society closely collaborates with government entities, as well as corporations, rural communities, civil society, and youth, aiming to develop and implement scientifically-based solutions that promote nature conservation and address climate change.
The society leads numerous multi-partner initiatives to empower non-governmental entities in carbon reduction, aligning with the national contributions and the UAE Net Zero 2050, while expanding the implementation and funding of nature-based solutions for their multiple benefits to climate, biodiversity, and humanity.
The society’s approach encompasses the entire community, from youths, non-governmental entities, and individuals, bearing the responsibility for action and leading change.
Looking ahead to 2024 and anticipating climate action in the UAE, Abdullatif is optimistic about the acceleration of momentum towards emission reduction, especially in the transport sector. Companies and institutions across the UAE are striving to meet the carbon elimination challenge.
During 2023, the EN-WWF welcomed over 50 members to its non-governmental local programme, the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), looking to collaborate to implement new tools that instil greater confidence and impact in emission reduction, including the Road2.0 initiative, addressing transportation emissions.
The society keenly follows developments in the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships for Climate Action, launched by the COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies, aiming to unleash additional potential for mitigation and adaptation, enhance climate financing at the national level, and boost the next round of nationally determined contributions.
Investing in nature, Abdullatif expects an increase in integrating nature into climate strategies, possibly resulting in a surge of innovations and investments in nature conservation, creating new economic opportunities.
During COP28, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion Razan Al Mubarak announced that the UAE would contribute $100 million in new funding for nature and climate projects, Abdullatif highlighted that the society leads several nature-based solution projects in the country, developing a range of these projects that are financially viable and sustainable within environmental tourism and agriculture to support local economic growth.
“And it is worth mentioning that we launched the Sustainable Blue Economy guidelines at COP28, and we will collaborate with our partners from the Umm Al Quwain government to enhance the implementation of these guidelines in the areas of tourism, entertainment, real estate and infrastructure, food sectors, and emerging sectors, as well as maritime transport,” she said.
Abdullatif anticipated that 2024 would be a busy year with the launch of the global Islamic finance programme aimed at mobilising public and private Islamic capital for nationally financeable solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, with a special focus on supporting initiatives for sustainable development in the Global South.
A Nature-based Solution
She noted that the association is closely monitoring developments related to the financial roadmap for the protection and restoration of mangrove trees, which provides financial tools to build, prove, and expand positive investment opportunities for mangrove forests.
She highlighted the association’s efforts to restore mangrove trees, which consider the entire coastal ecosystem approach as a nature-based solution, surpassing carbon sequestration and recognising the multiple social and economic benefits that coastal lakes provide to people and local communities.
“We follow a precise process for site selection to identify coastal scenic views with high potential for nature-based solution interventions. The comprehensive approach we have applied so far has played a pivotal role in achieving a 92% success rate for planted seedlings,” Abdullatif said.
As global and national stakeholders pledged significant commitments to make qualitative changes in agriculture through high-level initiatives, including the First Movers Coalition for Food, the Food Innovation Centre in the UAE, and the UAE’s multi-stakeholder declaration at COP28 on sustainable agriculture, flexible food systems, and climate action, she said: “A turning point in food production is on the horizon, so it is time to innovate climate-resistant, drought-friendly products that reduce emissions and have a positive impact on soil health.”
Abdullatif affirmed that the restoration of degraded land and reforestation through the planting of local trees and collaboration with local farmers are at the top of the agenda at the EN-WWF.
“In collaboration with diverse partners, we are implementing experimental projects to extract new products from halophytic plants such as Salicornia and local trees to counter food and water security, preserve nature, and promote economic prosperity,” she said.
