His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed: On "National Environment Day": "Our roots are the foundation of our future"

Today, the UAE celebrates the 28th edition of the “National Environment Day” under the slogan “Our Roots Are the Foundation of Our Future”, coinciding with the latest achievements made by the country in dealing with the environment, by raising awareness among members of society about the need to care for the environment, supporting the sustainable development process, and continuing efforts to reduce climate change.

The UAE’s National Environment Day is a day to celebrate environmental achievements and emphasize the importance of sustainability in the future, through activities that seek to promote a sustainable environmental culture that ensures the sustainability of natural resources for future generations, in addition to motivating individuals and institutions to participate in preserving the environment.

The country continues its leadership in protecting the environment, committed to making a positive impact locally and globally, to achieve a healthy and sustainable environment. The country also leads regional initiatives in the field of the environment, as it has launched several prominent projects in renewable energy, preserving biodiversity, the circular economy, and reducing carbon.

The wise leadership of the UAE continues its unlimited support for efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development in the country, in continuation of the approach of the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, who was inspired by the lives of ancestors and fathers and their environmentally friendly practices, and adopted them as the basis for the concept of sustainable development, to strengthen this trend over the years, through the directives and vision of the wise leadership, which adopted a package of integrated policies, legislation and strategies, which aim to achieve sustainability in all sectors. Preserving the Environment.

Since its establishment, the UAE has begun its efforts to protect the environment and wildlife. In his speech on the occasion of the first National Environment Day in February 1998, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, expressed his vision by saying: “We are passionate about our environment because it is an integral part of our homeland, our history and our heritage.

Our ancestors lived on land and sea and were able to withstand this environment despite all its challenges. Of course, they would not have done so had they not realized the necessity of preserving the environment by taking from it only what they needed for survival and protecting it for future generations. God willing, we will continue to work to protect the environment and wildlife in our country as our ancestors did before. If we fail - God forbid - to do this duty, our children will blame us for squandering an essential part of their legacy and our heritage.”

Based on this legacy, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, has stressed on all national and international environmental occasions that “protecting the environment and preserving resources is a fundamental priority within the UAE’s established sustainability approach, and a collective responsibility for all members of society.”

Objectives

Over the past years, the UAE has sought to celebrate National Environment Day to achieve four main objectives: highlighting the constant interest and care given by the wise leadership to environmental work in all its aspects, introducing the efforts of various entities concerned with preserving the environment and highlighting achievements, affirming the country’s commitment to the global effort to preserve the environment and develop its resources in a sustainable manner, drawing attention to environmental issues, and encouraging the participation of individuals and groups.

National Environment Day aims to raise awareness about environmental issues affecting the country, such as climate change, air and water pollution, and excessive consumption of resources.

All local and federal institutions in the country emphasize sustainability on National Environment Day, and adopting sustainable policies and practices in daily life at the individual and societal levels, such as conserving energy and water and reducing waste.

On National Environment Day, there is an emphasis on shared responsibility, and an incentive for the local community, private sector and government to work together to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.

Events

The National Environment Day in the UAE witnesses a number of events and activities that combine environmental and educational practices, and organize workshops, awareness lectures, scientific exhibitions and competitions for children and youth, aiming to spread knowledge about environmental challenges in the UAE and their solutions.

Competitiveness Indicators

For its efforts in protecting the environment, biodiversity and addressing climate change, the UAE has topped environmental performance indicators, achieving many global achievements since the establishment of the Union, most notably that it topped the regional, Arab and Gulf levels in the Environmental Performance Index for 2024, and first globally in the Marine Protection Strictness Index, first globally in the Bottom Trawling Index, first globally in the Wastewater Treatment Index, first globally in the Wastewater Reuse Index, first in the Middle East to announce its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, first in the Middle East and North Africa to ratify the Paris Agreement and commit to reducing carbon emissions, and second globally in the Satisfaction with Species Conservation Efforts Index.

It also topped the world in 14 sub-indicators related to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and 13th globally in the Environmental Laws Index, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2023.

Projects

The UAE is considered one of the leading countries in the field of environmental conservation in the region, and has adopted many major environmental policies and projects such as the "Masdar City" project in Abu Dhabi, which is a sustainable, environmentally friendly city, and the solar energy project in the "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park", which is considered one of the largest solar energy projects in the world.

In continuation of national efforts to establish sustainability systems and programs in various development sectors, the UAE seeks to enhance positive results in the field of the environment and climate change through its ambitious national targets aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The country also aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy, and pump national investments ranging between 150 and 200 billion dirhams in the renewable energy sector over the next seven years.

National Environment Day is an opportunity to motivate citizens and residents to contribute effectively to preserving the environment and facing environmental challenges.