UAE expands on climate action at EXPO 2020 Dubai

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai, hosted a tree-planting event with representatives from Expo’s country pavilions.

It marks the 25th National Environment Day, under the theme ‘The UAE’s Message to the World – Climate Action Now’.

Seedlings of native tree species were planted during the event, including; ghaf, sidr, and acacia, to highlight the importance of expanding the green cover to reduce carbon emissions as part of climate action. 

MOCCAE distributed the seedlings among the participants, who planted them at the Expo 2020 Dubai Plant Nursery.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: "Over the course of five decades, protecting the environment, preserving natural resources, and conserving biodiversity have been – and always will be – among the UAE’s strategic priorities. "

For her part, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said: "Today, we are not just planting little seedlings. These seedlings are a shout-out to the world that faces pressing climatic challenges, and an opportunity to collaborate with Expo participants and visitors to contribute to developing innovative solutions to these challenges."

The UAE Government has made sustainability an objective of its national strategy. Last year the UAE unveiled an ambitious initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Under the patronage of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE marked the 25th National Environment Day on February 4th. 

The occasion’s activities will continue for four months until World Environment Day on June 5th, highlighting the country’s climate action and raising public awareness about the impacts of climate change and the nation’s future initiatives and plans to tackle this major threat to sustainable development on a local as well as global level.