The 44th Planting Week begins under the theme ‘Together, let’s plant the United Arab Emirates’

The 44th Planting Week began yesterday in the UAE with the theme “Together, let us plant the UAE”.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of planting trees, encourage people to contribute to the preservation of the environment, biodiversity and address environmental and climate-related challenges.

Planting Week will continue until March 1, with all concerned authorities participating in planting activities across all emirates of the UAE, encouraging engagement with various social groups.

He Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is supplying 50,000 mangrove seedlings to participating entities, supporting the UAE’s ambitious commitment to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030. This substantial effort harnesses mangroves as natural carbon sinks, contributing to nature-based solutions to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions on both local and global scales. The adoption of such initiatives will significantly contribute to efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environmentsaying,

“Trees function as complete ecosystems, offering not only an aesthetically pleasing environment and cooler temperatures, but also serving as habitat for various birds and other creatures. Additionally, they play a crucial role in reducing carbon dioxide levels, oxygen production, and the production of numerous agricultural crops. During Planting Week, we aim to educate the community about the importance of tree planting and the wide-ranging benefits it brings, encouraging greater participation in tree planting, preservation and development activities.”

She added,

“The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a great passion for plantation efforts since the formation of the nation. His vision and focus on engaging the community in tree planting efforts laid the foundation for our current approach. “I urge community members to participate in Planting Week activities, with the goal of making it an opportunity for continuous planting throughout the year.”

He emphasized that MOCCAE is committed to helping all relevant stakeholders and UAE society adopt nature-based solutions as an integral part of the state’s strategic vision to achieve Net Zero by 2050. This involves cultivating a sustainable living environment and improve the community’s connection with nature.

The 44th Planting Week focuses on the integration of innovative technologies and practices, involving various sectors, including People of Determination, to contribute to the preservation and expansion of green spaces. The main objective is to maintain and improve green spaces by promoting native plants and raising awareness about the importance of planting.

News source: Emirates News Agency