NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
HARNESSING THE POWER OF NATURE
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) stand as a powerful catalyst for positive change. By harnessing the inherent resilience of nature, NbS not only addresses environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation but also becomes a wellspring of economic and job opportunities for local communities.
Emirates Nature-WWF focuses on NbS in the context of the unique ecosystems and climate challenges in the UAE, spearheading projects related to food security, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and community mobilization.
Multi-partnership is a must in the context of implementing credible NbS on the ground. We aim to accelerate action with diverse stakeholders from governments, financial institutions, corporates, philanthropy, NGOs, scientists, and local communities to implement NbS that enhance resilience to climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development.
In coastal and marine ecosystems, initiatives like mangrove restoration and sustainable management of fisheries safeguard fragile ecosystems while also providing income avenues for coastal communities. On terrestrial landscapes, agroecology and sustainable land management practices enhance soil fertility and water retention while also empowering local populations to produce and market innovative food products and commodities that are also climate-resistant.
NbS emerges as a harmonious solution, intertwining environmental health with social and economic prosperity, ensuring that the benefits of conservation reverberate through the very communities that depend on these ecosystems for their well-being.
OUR WORK
Emirates Nature-WWF is implementing NbS in the UAE through various projects across coastal, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. These projects work towards protecting and conserving natural assets across UAE’s landscapes and seascapes, assessing and enhancing the climate benefits and ecosystem services they offer.
Implementing Nature-based Solutions in coastal and marine ecosystems
Emirates Nature-WWF is leading two multi-stakeholder coastal and marine NbS projects, which are rooted in science and aim to help address societal challenges, by preventing future risks relating to the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, while simultaneously providing multiple co-benefits for people and local economies.
- Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate, Biodiversity and People project
With funding from HSBC, Emirates-Nature WWF collaborates with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Economy, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain Government, and the International Center of Biosaline Agriculture to protect and sustainably manage coastal ecosystems in two priority sites in the UAE.
This initiative, a key Nature-Based Solution (NbS), aims to strengthen climate change mitigation, enhance biodiversity, and unlock blended finance for ecosystem protection, blue carbon, ecotourism, and food security.
The project includes a focus on salt-tolerant plants, studying their feasibility for food production and creating alternative revenue streams for local communities. Additionally, there are plans for the development of an eco-trail which will weave through the mangrove restoration and halophyte cultivation sites, near Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain to raise public awareness, promote appreciation for the natural beauty of the area, and stimulate ecotourism.
- Priceless Planet Coalition
Emirates Nature-WWF is part of the global Priceless Planet Coalition by Mastercard - a collaboration with climate science and forest restoration experts from Conservation International (CI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI), which aims to restore 100 million trees around the world.
In the UAE, the project’s primary focus is to restore and preserve mangrove ecosystems, with a goal of restoring 50,000 mangrove trees and associated coastal ecosystems while also creating a platform for stakeholder and community engagement, expert collaboration, and civil society participation.
Implementing Nature-based Solutions in terrestrial ecosystems
Emirates Nature-WWF follows an inclusive and “on-the-ground” approach to enhancing local agricultural resilience by developing entrepreneurial opportunities and building partnerships that enhance the local food market. NbS approaches - such as agroecology - promote farming practices that mitigate climate change, work with wildlife, and put farmers and communities in the driving seat.
- Building resilient communities
In collaboration with Etihad Rail, key partners and local communities, we restored 900 metres of the historic falaj irrigation system at Al Bithnah, achieving significant water savings. We also built a 2.05 km nature trail, a 2.3 km hiking trail and a 1 km heritage trail to enhance ecotourism and rehabilitate the surrounding habitat.
Together with our partners, we are exploring:
- cultivation of Arabian Moringa, as well as the development of a market for associated products based on its valuable oil,
- reforestation of degraded lands with native tree species to benefit local honey production and livestock, and
- enhancement of saltmarsh halophytes, including a native species of samphire, as valuable and healthy foods.
- Conserving freshwater at Wadi Shees
In partnership with Coca Cola Middle East, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority Sharjah, we launched the Freshwater Conservation project to support agriculture and cultivation of dates in Wadi Shees and to protect species that depend on this source of freshwater.
We restored 750 meters of the traditional falaj irrigation system in Wadi Shees, trained 100% of farmers in sustainable water irrigation tools and achieved 30% water savings. Efforts also included the creation of a 1.8 km circular nature trail which improved ecotourism and inflow of tourism by more than 50%.
