WATCH: EU envoy plants mangroves to support UAE on climate change – News

They support the country’s initiative to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030

A high-level delegation of ambassadors and EU representatives visited Abu Dhabi’s Jubail Island to highlight the role of mangroves in mitigating climate change and support the UAE’s initiative to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030.

EU Ambassador to the UAE Andrea Matteo Fontana, together with ambassadors and representatives from 16 EU member states, planted mangroves and raised awareness of the importance of these ecosystems.

“Jubail Park is a great example of a nature-based solution. Mangroves are extremely carbon-storage and vital to our planet. They absorb 10 times more carbon than tropical rainforests.” At COP28 UAE Before, we were fighting climate change,” Fontana said.

The delegation planted mangroves to support the UAE’s ambitious initiative to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 and to contribute to the efforts of the UAE-led Mangrove Climate Coalition.

Fontana pointed out that the EU is a climate leader and is working hard to tackle climate change and protect the planet.

“The EU will plant 3 billion trees by 2030 to reduce emissions and demonstrate how nature-based solutions can help us fight climate change.”

Members of the Arab Youth Centre, Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, UAE Youth Climate Representatives and representatives of Jubail Island participated in the visit.

As COP28 approaches, the EU is committed to working with the UAE COP presidency, youth climate advocates and global partners to find sustainable solutions to climate change.

“If we are to emerge stronger from this climate crisis, we must work together with international partners and young people,” Fontana said.

Luxembourg Ambassador Robert Lauer noted that the initiative highlights the importance of mangroves in mitigating climate change. “Hope my little tree will thrive,” Lauer tweeted.

Ireland’s ambassador, Alison Milton, said the visit had been an “inspiration” to understand the vital role of mangroves.

Other ambassadors and representatives from EU member states include Etienne Berchtold, Ambassador of Austria; Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of Estonia; Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France; Osama Ibrahim Nafa, Ambassador of Hungary; Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy (Lorenzo Fanara); Atis Sjantis, Ambassador of Latvia; Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of Malta; Jakub Slawek, Ambassador of Poland; Bogdan Octavian Badica, Ambassador of Romania; Natalia Al Mansour, Ambassador of Slovenia; Deputy Head of Mission; Katja Decker, Head of Press and Economic Affairs, German Embassy; Michal Florus, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of the Czech Republic.