Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs, and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development, and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.
Abu Dhabi’s Mangroves
Spread across 176 sq km of coastline, the Emirate’s mangroves are listed as an Endangered (EN) marine ecosystem under the IUCN Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems (2020). Uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arabian Gulf, they can thrive in its coastal waters and provide a source of beauty and access to nature for people’s well-being and enjoyment, as well as acting as a carbon sink, natural coastal defences, and a habitat for both resident and migratory birds and crucial nursery habitat for many key commercial fish species and invertebrates.
Mangrove restoration in Abu Dhabi dates to before the 1970’s, making the Emirate one of the pioneers in the rehabilitation of these valuable ecosystems. The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE, cared deeply about the marine and coastal environment, and initiated the first mangrove plantations along the coasts of the islands and mainland of Abu Dhabi Emirate. One of the key objectives of the ADMI is to ensure all coastal ecosystem restoration projects implemented in Abu Dhabi are carried out according to sound scientific practices to ensure that they provide environmental benefits in the long term and that the restored ecosystems can be sustained and result in a net biodiversity gain.