Abu Dhabi announces $1.5 million grant for young conservationists around the globe

Young conservationists worldwide are set to benefit from the newly-announced Global Field Grants, totaling $1.5 million over three years. The initiative aims to empower early-career conservationists in developing nations by providing essential financial support for their fieldwork and research efforts.

The grant was launched by the Abu Dhabi-based Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund). Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), these grants will facilitate impactful conservation projects and foster the next generation of environmental leaders globally.

Acting Director-General of the MBZ Fund, Nicolas Heard, highlighted the initiative's commitment to nurturing early-career conservationists, stating, "Our support goes beyond funding; we aim to empower the next generation of conservation leaders."

The Global Field Grants are part of the Fonseca Leadership Programme, established to commemorate Gustavo Fonseca, the late Director of Programmes at GEF. This programme seeks to cultivate a group of young professionals committed to biodiversity conservation, offering fellowships, grants, awards, and a global symposium to promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

With a track record of over 2,800 supported projects across 170 countries, the MBZ Fund continues its mission to drive impactful conservation efforts globally. The partnership with GEF marks a significant step towards ensuring sustainable environmental stewardship by empowering young conservationists worldwide.

AI for Sustainability Hub Launched at Global Sustainability Forum

In a simultaneous announcement, the Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Network introduced the ‘AI for Sustainability Hub’ at the second Global Sustainability Forum. The event was held at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, jointly organized with the New York Stock Exchange, part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., and ADNOC.

The Hub aims to be a crucial venue for governments, the private sector, and academia to collaborate on developing AI-based solutions to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability across sectors. Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Secretary-General of the CSO Network, emphasized the Hub's role in convening best practices and scaling effective solutions, stating, “By harnessing cutting-edge AI technologies, we aim to forecast and mitigate environmental impacts, optimize resource use, and enhance efficiency in industrial operations and energy management systems.”

The Forum, themed ‘AI for Climate and Nature’, brought together senior government officials, C-suite executives, leading technology providers, and private sector innovators to advance sustainable, technology-driven solutions for pressing climate and environmental challenges.

The UAE is experiencing a surge in sustainability initiatives aimed at conserving the environment. A recent example is the newly announced plans for the Dubai metro, aiming to double the number of metro in the city by 2040 while committing to reduce carbon emissions to 16 tonnes per capita.