Greenpeace MENA launches report with SEE Institute and Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, positioning UAE as a leader in regenerative economy.
DUBAI: A new report launched by Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa in collaboration with SEE Institute and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has spotlighted the UAE’s progress towards a wellbeing-driven economy rooted in environmental sustainability and cultural heritage. The report, titled Blooming Futures: Supporting the UAE’s Journey Toward a Wellbeing Economy, provides a forward-looking framework for a regenerative and nature-inspired economic model.
Authored by researchers Najla Almatrooshi and Nicole Weber, the study aligns with major national agendas including We the UAE 2031, UAE Centennial 2071, and the Net Zero by 2050 initiative. It introduces a roadmap centred on biomimicry and commons-based stewardship that draws on Emirati and Islamic values to redefine prosperity beyond GDP.
Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, remarked at the launch held at The Sustainable City in Dubai that the UAE is setting an international benchmark by integrating sustainability, regeneration, and wellbeing into its core policies. She highlighted that shifting from extractive to regenerative systems is key to building resilience in future urban economies.
The report showcases The Sustainable City, a Dubai-based eco-community powered by 10MW of solar energy and designed to promote shared mobility, green space access, and inclusive governance. It also recommends introducing financial tools such as welfare bonds and green endowments to support biodiversity and clean energy sectors.
Dr Clio Chaveneau of Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and co-author Najla Almatrooshi emphasised that the UAE’s economic transition must reflect compassion, coexistence, and harmony with nature—principles deeply embedded in local culture.
Blooming Futures ultimately positions the UAE as a pioneer of a wellbeing economy, advocating for cities and economies that put human flourishing and environmental stewardship at the forefront of development.
