What's Next After COP28? Transforming Nature, Climate Action and Agriculture in the UAE

COP28 has been a watershed moment for nature and climate in the UAE. Over the past 12 months, high priority topics including climate mitigation, adaptation, resilience, nature conservation, sustainability and financing, have dominated conversations across public and private sectors, as well as civil society, youth and local communities. From raising awareness about pressing issues, to taking bold and credible measures to support national decarbonization and integrate nature into decision making – it has truly been a year of mobilization for the UAE. I can say this with confidence in my capacity as Director General of the federal NGO charity Emirates Nature-WWF, that has been representing civil society, championing multilateral partnerships and driving boots-on-the-ground for conservation and climate action the UAE for the past 23 years.  

Earlier this year, I was honored to be invited to join the COP28 Presidency Advisory Committee alongside a group of well renowned global experts, recognizing the pivotal role it plays in amplifying the vital intersection of nature and science within the climate discourse. Our inclusion is not just symbolic; it stems from our extensive institutional knowledge garnered from working on the ground in the UAE. This wealth of experience, cultivated through partnerships to drive climate and nature action, provides invaluable insights into the practical aspects of building a nature-positive, net-zero world. There is no disputing that the protection and restoration of natural assets, serving as robust carbon sinks, are integral to the trajectory toward limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Beyond carbon sequestration, these assets bestow essential benefits that underpin the foundations of our society and economy. 

It heartens me to witness diverse voices gaining representation at the UN Climate Change Conference this year. In this crucial journey toward the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, engagement with every sector of society is not just beneficial but fundamental. The private sector and civil society, as non-state actors, must actively participate in shaping the trajectory towards a sustainable future. This is particularly paramount at a time when, in a significant moment for global climate action, countries at the COP28 UN climate summit have agreed to transition away from fossil fuels.  

COP28 marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. This outcome must be harnessed by governments and markets, but clearly signals the beginning of the end for coal, oil and gas in the global economy and the massive growth of renewables. I applaud the efforts of the COP28 Presidency in landing this agreement, and championing an open and inclusive approach throughout the process –now, more than ever, we need a collective commitment to forge a path that harmonizes nature, science, and societal well-being. 

The science is clear – global emissions must peak by 2025 and be halved by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial times. This goal post does not change. And so, we must continue doing everything we can to reduce emissions, engaging non-state actors and civil society to take greater action and in turn surge national ambition around net zero commitments, protection and restoration of natural sinks and financing for Nature-based Solutions.

How do we achieve this? By working together.  

One of the successful outcomes of COP28 has been the establishment of global collaboration and  public-private partnerships that could put in place enabling mechanisms for transformational change, securing financing and technology, particularly for the energy transition and Nature-based Solutions – including food production. 

In addition to the landmark agreement on the Loss & Damage Fund (which now stands at $792 million), 11 pledges and declarations were announced at COP28. Notable pledges include:  

• COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action - to which 134 countries have signed up  

• Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge - backed by 122 countries and the EU 

• COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health - backed by 120 countries 

• Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action – which includes a focus on strengthening NDCs in the lead up to COP29 and COP30, and is backed by 63 countries 

These pledges are ambitious and send a powerful signal that the world is uniting to tackle some of the most complex challenges involved in reducing emissions, enhancing our adaptive capacity and building resilience against the negative impacts of climate change. While they are  steps in the right direction, it would be prudent to recognize that they are voluntary pledges. Commitment must translate into action over the coming months and years.  

In this regard, our work is cut out for us. We must leverage the powerful momentum and commendable collaboration that has been established at COP28, to ensure a strong post-COP28 legacy domestically in the UAE.   

Emirates Nature-WWF has a two-decade legacy of conservation impact in the UAE. We work closely with UAE government entities, businesses, rural communities, broader civil society and youth, on development and implementation of science-based solutions that advance nature conservation and address climate change.  

Specifically, we are spearheading numerous multi-partner initiatives to empower non-state actors on decarbonization in alignment with the UAE NDC and Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, as well as to scale up the implementation and financing of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to unlock benefits for climate, biodiversity and people.  

A whole-of-society approach underpins our work and our success – the responsibility to act and lead the change rests with every one of us. Further to non-state actor involvement, civil society mobilization and youth participation are paramount to drive lasting transformation and behaviour change. 

1. Accelerated momentum towards reducing Emissions, especially in the transport sector 
   Businesses and organizations around the UAE are rising up to the decarbonization challenge. Our domestic non-state actor program UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA) has welcomed over 50 members in the past year, and looks forward to working with members to implement new tools that offer greater accountability and impact when it comes to reducing emissions, including the new Road2.0 initiative that address transport emissions.
   
   We are keenly following the development of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action, launched by the COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies to unlock additional mitigation and adaptation potential, enhance subnational climate financing and strengthen the next round of NDCs.   
    

2. Greater integration of Nature into climate strategies 
    

   At the World Climate Action Summit at COP28, the High-Level Champion for Climate Change H.E. Razan Al Mubarak announced that UAE would contribute $100 million of new financing for nature-climate projects. We are optimistic that nature will continue to be integrated into decision making, leading to a groundswell of interest, innovation and investment in conservation of nature and creation of new economic opportunities.
   
   Emirates Nature-WWF is spearheading numerous Nature-based Solutions projects in the UAE, developing a pipeline of ‘bankable’ NbS and Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) projects within ecotourism and agriculture to support local economic growth. Notably, we’ve launched SBE Guidelines at COP28 and thanks to the commitment of the Umm Al Quwain Government, we will be working collaboratively on advancing implementation across Tourism & Recreation, Real Estate & Infrastructure, Food & Emerging Sectors, and Maritime Transport. 
   
   On the finance front, 2024 will be a busy year as we work towards the launch of the Global Islamic Finance Program which aims to mobilize public and private Islamic capital for bankable NbS for climate mitigation and adaptation, with a special focus on supporting initiatives for the Global South. 
   
   Separately, we are following developments on the Financial Roadmap for Mangrove Protection and Restoration, which offers financial tools to build, prove and scale mangrove-positive investment opportunities. Throughout our mangrove restoration efforts we make sure to consider a whole coastal ecosystem approach within this nature-based solutionas a NbS, going beyond carbon storage and acknowledging the multiple socio-economic benefits coastal lagoons offer to people & local communities. We follow a robust science-based site selection process to identify coastal seascapes with high potential for NbS interventions. The overall approach we’ve applied so far has played a pivotal role in achieving an astonishing 92% survival rate. 
    

3. Climate and sustainability-driven innovation in Food and Agriculture  
   At COP28, global and national stakeholders made significant commitments to transform agriculture, with high-level initiatives including the First Movers Coalition for Food, UAE Food Innovation Hub and the multilateral COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action. 
   
   A turning point in food production is upon us. Now is the time to innovate new products that are climate-resistant, drought friendly, lead to lower emissions and have a positive impact on soil health.  
   
   Restoration of degraded lands, reforestation through planting of native trees and collaboration with local farmers are top of the agenda for us at Emirates Nature-WWF. In collaboration with diverse partners, we are driving ahead pilot projects to derive new products from salt-loving plants like Salicornia and native trees like Arabian Moringa (Shu’a)  to enhance food and water security, nature preservation and economic prosperity.  
    

4. Building Sustainable, Resilient Rural Communities 
   COP28 shed a light on the importance of building climate resilience of local communities, making it a priority to create a sustainable development model that enhances social stability and well-being of community members, while also enhancing food and water security, nature preservation and economic prosperity.  
   
   At COP28, we were proud to announce a historic collaboration between the Emirates Council for Rural Development and Emirates Nature-WWF, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Emirates Council for Rural Development, to drive sustainability and resilience of rural areas that are part of the Emirates Villages project in the UAE. The collaboration aims to ensure climate resilience and promote an eco-tourism legacy in the Masfout area within the emirate of Ajman, and contribute positively to economic development.  

As an NGO, our role is to bridge gaps and provide technical support to foster collaboration across public and private sectors, as well as civil society, so that we build a sustainable UAE together. The road to transformative change is undoubtably difficult and filled with complex challenges. However, I invite you to view the climate crisis not just as a challenge, but also an opportunity to accelerate a race to the top - so that we can build a sustainable, liveable tomorrow not only for future generations, but also for ourselves.