ABU DHABI, 20th January, 2023 (WAM) — The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) participated in a series of sessions at the Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) event that took place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 14th-19th January 2023.

On 16th January, EAD was part of the “World Climate Simulation” session – a group role-playing exercise focused on international climate change negotiations. The session allowed participants to explore the risks of climate change and the challenges of negotiating international agreements to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

In a live, face-to-face setting, participants played the role of negotiators representing countries and regional blocs that must work together to create an agreement limiting climate change by reducing GHG emissions. Proposals were tested using a climate policy simulation model that provided participants with science-based feedback on the implications of their proposals for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, global mean surface temperature, sea level rise, and other impacts.

The event’s facilitators included the EAD Youth Council, the UAE Climate Change Special Envoy Office, and Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

Another session at ADSW, featuring an expert from EAD, was the “Blue Carbon Habitats and Nature-Based Solutions”. The conversation saw Maitha Al Hameli, Section Manager – Marine Assessment and Conservation Team from the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, joined by Jane Glavan, Co-Owner of Distant Imagery.

The panel discussion was moderated by a member of the EAD Youth Council and explored nature-based solutions, how they are applied in the UAE, and why Blue Carbon is one of the most important and effective nature-based solutions in combating climate change.

The session also highlighted how mangroves are playing a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change and delved into how to harness technology and innovation to enhance, protect, preserve, and restore blue carbon habitats – both in the UAE and internationally.

The discussion also helped introduce youth to the concept of nature-based solutions, new ways of working in conservation, and means to enhance their work through cutting-edge and contemporary technology.

A third session on 17th January titled “EAD’s 2022 Survey: Capturing the Voices of Youth on Climate Change” – was led by Khansa Al Blouki, Director, Environmental Outreach, Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management Sector at EAD, who shared highlights of the UAE’s largest ever climate change youth survey that was undertaken in the latter part of 2022.

During the session, she presented the survey results in which 4,210 school and university students and employees from various emirates participated. The majority of the participants (about 74%) believed that climate change affects their daily lives.

Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environment Information, Science Outreach Management Sector at EAD, said, “The youth is one of EAD’s main stakeholders as they are the future leaders. We are constantly preparing them to take the lead and become positive and pro-active advocates of change, who recognise the importance of conserving the environment and managing our natural resources sustainably and effectively.

“It is for these reasons that we were keen to take part in, and be an integral part of, the Youth 4 Sustainability event at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.”