EAD and TotalEnergies have launched a seagrass restoration project in Abu Dhabi to boost marine biodiversity and tackle climate change.
ABU DHABI: In a bold move supporting the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with TotalEnergies, has launched a large-scale seagrass restoration initiative. This collaborative project aims to protect vital marine ecosystems and reinforce the emirate’s leadership in nature-based climate solutions.
The year-long programme focuses on restoring Abu Dhabi’s seagrass meadows, which are key blue carbon habitats capable of capturing and storing carbon dioxide in their leaves, roots, and surrounding sediments. Seagrass ecosystems also support marine biodiversity, improve water quality, and help sustain fisheries and ecotourism. Abu Dhabi’s coastal waters contain three types of seagrass across 3,000 square kilometres—home to over 3,500 dugongs and 4,000 green sea turtles.
As part of this project, EAD and TotalEnergies have already planted 10,000 square metres of seagrass, capable of storing around 52 tonnes of carbon—equal to the emissions from 23 flights between Abu Dhabi and London. Using the widespread native species Halodule uninervis, the initiative combines science, innovation, and post-planting monitoring to ensure long-term success.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD’s Secretary-General, said the restoration effort reflects the emirate’s commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage and uniting public-private collaboration to enhance climate resilience.
TotalEnergies’ decades-long partnership with EAD includes biodiversity research, flamingo protection, and the creation of the Dugong and Seagrass Research Toolkit, now used in over 80 seagrass and 40 dugong range states.
The emirate will also make regional history in 2026 by hosting the 16th International Seagrass Biology Workshop and the World Seagrass Congress, announced by the World Seagrass Association and IUCN. These events will bring together scientists, policymakers, and environmental experts to promote knowledge-sharing and cooperation on global seagrass conservation.
