Emirates Nature-WWF Strategy 2015-2020
We aim to see the UAE government and private sector make significant progress towards conserving the country’s natural heritage with increasingly effective conservation efforts, actions to alleviate climate change, and the alignment of its future development with the UAE Vision 2021.
By aligning our efforts with overall governmental ambition, we can help drive sustainable development while preserving the environment. We will work on climate change, energy issues, and biodiversity conservation (terrestrial and marine, as well as the clampdown on the illegal wildlife trade). These topics are of great relevance to conservation and must be prioritised if we want a future where people can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives in harmony with nature. We will focus our efforts on bringing conservation science closer to policy makers, initiating and encouraging dialogue on these issues across all sectors of society. We will continue to build strong partnerships to ensure that the changes we contribute to are enduring. We will also foster knowledge sharing and transparency and build capacity in the country.
BIODIVERSITY – MARINE
Our Marine Programme seeks to create a network of marine protected areas with the united support of regional players. By recognising that ecosystem-based conservationis preferable and will achieve a higher success rate, our team will promote the need to safeguard areas of high conservation value and promote regional collaboration to conserve flagship species such as whales and turtles. This programme will feed into WWF’s Global Priorities and has therefore been tipped as one area of our work that will contribute highly to worldwide conservation efforts.
BIODIVERSITY – TERRESTRIAL
Meanwhile, our Terrestrial Programme will focus on conserving land-based ecosystems (such as wetlands, mountains, and desert shrublands) and species. We will work with key players to secure our long-term vision of a nationwide protected area network that ensures environmental connectivity.
WILDLIFE TRADE PROGRAMME
Another key focus will be the clampdown on the illegal trade of wildlife, which is currently a major issue with the country acting as a destination for high-end endangered species and a transit point between African and Asian markets. We will support the UAE CITES authorities in their implementation of measures that will position the country as a global leader in terms of its positive impact on reducing the illegal wildlife trade. We will also work with different stakeholders to encourage dialogue and garner long-term commitment that is crucial to ending this destructive trade.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
The broad goal is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, build knowledge on climate risks, and help prioritise them in policy-making. By elevating the priority of climate change action, the UAE will be better placed to take concrete steps to reduce its emissions. To achieve this, we will work with local stakeholders to pursue energy efficiency interventions. We will also help the country expand its ambition in the uptake of renewable energy options and promote their use among different sectors.
