Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi fostering culture of volunteering to support environmental efforts

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is encouraging people to volunteer in the environmental field as one of the key pillars in helping to preserve the environment and combat climate change.

The EAD aims to enhance social responsibility by supervising the implementation of four volunteer programmes that will enable community members to contribute to environmental preservation and protection efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for current and future generations.

Rasha Ali Al Madfai, Acting Director of the Environmental Awareness Department at EAD, said: “At EAD, we believe that environmental responsibility is a shared commitment, and we seek to reach different segments of society, with a focus on the next generation, to provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge to help them understand the importance of environmental sustainability, and the vital role we play together in ensuring a sustainable future.

“The agency has launched many volunteer programmes to stimulate positive environmental behaviour among individuals, and enhance their capabilities, knowledge and awareness of the importance of contributing to efforts to preserve the environment and its unique biodiversity. Environmental volunteer programmes are administered under the “Naha” platform launched by EAD, which aims to transform environmental work intentions into tangible and influential actions. It does this by providing opportunities for youth and community members to engage in activities that stimulate action to achieve the best sustainable practices.” 

The second phase of the Murshed Youth Rangers Programme – the volunteering phase – has begun, sponsored by TotalEnergies. The programme aims to inspire and engage young people interested in protecting the environment. Participants completed a total of 300 volunteering hours in the Jubail Mangrove Park and helped organise field trips during the 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), which added great value to the conference and demonstrated the young eco-rangers’ commitment to the environment. 

To stimulate further communication and interaction among participants, a nature retreat was organised to Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and Jubail Mangrove Park. The retreat included multiple activities, such as treasure hunts, team building, as well as guided tours led by the young Jubail Mangrove Park rangers for their colleagues in the Al Wathba Reserve. The retreat concluded by recognising those participants that had distinguished themselves during the event.

Murshed is implemented in cooperation with the Emirates Schools Establishment and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and provides guidance and leadership development opportunities. The volunteer rangers also gain experience in environmental education, which enhances the efforts of youth in the field of ecosystem restoration. The programme encourages young people attending Abu Dhabi schools aged between 14 to 17 to volunteer to help them understand the role of rangers in protecting and preserving the environment.

The Green Citizen Programme aims to provide an opportunity for citizens and residents who are passionate about environmental work to help protect Abu Dhabi’s natural heritage. A virtual meeting was organised for volunteers to welcome new members and explain roles and responsibilities, to present the 2024 plan, and introduce the naha platform and the agency’s awareness programmes. The meeting was attended by around 68 volunteers, and 281 people participated in five clean-up campaigns that were organised under the programme.

The Green Experts Programme, which aims to establish a network of environmental experts from various disciplines and countries, saw its ranks increase to 287 participants. Scientific bulletins were sent to experts once a month, three lectures were organised, while five volunteers participated in an Ask an Expert session that was created to help exchange knowledge and expertise in the environmental field.

This programme supports EAD's projects and events, and benefits from the knowledge and experience of participating experts. The experts’ responsibilities included holding workshops or lectures, reviewing or evaluating reports and case studies, and training volunteers.

Launched in 2015 as part of the Sustainable Universities Initiative, the Green Youth Majlis, which means council, targets young people aged 18 to 35 years. The initiative aims to empower them to take the initiative and participate in environmental action and support the rapid and innovative realisation of the emirate’s environmental vision. The council provides the opportunity for young people to become active agents of change in society.

The Green Youth Majlis has more than 650 members, and convenes every quarter to share ideas and solutions that seek to address various environmental challenges. It follows a unique and proactive form of environmental education by encouraging open dialogue and productive learning. Since 2019, 232 members have dedicated over 970 hours across 60 events, including the World Environmental Education Congress, beach clean-ups in Abu Dhabi, and live educational sessions on various topics, such as supporting the implementation of the single-use plastics policy and other community initiatives.