Abu Dhabi taps youth in mission to turn climate intention into action across GCC
With the UAE capital officially recognised as a centre of expertise for environmental education and sustainability, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is determined to transform eco-awareness into tangible community action – and the youth would be driving force in this mission.
In a first for the GCC, Abu Dhabi recently secured membership in the United Nations University (UNU) network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The EAD is spearheading this regional mission.
Speaking to Aletihad, Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director for Environmental Information, Science, and Outreach Management at EAD, explained Abu Dhabi's priorities as RCE: 'The Regional Centre of Expertise in Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi - RCE) focuses on bridging the gaps in addressing the diverse environmental challenges facing the region, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.'
'This initiative directly contributes to SDG 4.7 by building knowledge and skills for sustainable development, and supports SDG 13.3 by enhancing education and capacity-building on climate change, encompassing policy, conservation, and technological solutions,' he added.
The goal is to link education with concrete climate action, Baharoon said, and empowering the youth - the future environmental stewards - is central to achieving this.
'To ensure the RCE's relevance and impact, the youth must play a central role - through advisory boards, leading initiatives, and active participation in decision-making. Their ideas, energy, and unique perspectives are vital to tackling sustainability challenges,' he said.
The youth has already made a mark. The youth-led 'Generation Restoration', for example, has helped shape Abu Dhabi's road map during 2024 World Environmental Education Congress. Their voice and insights will remain crucial in the centre's development.
The RCE's establishment marks only the beginning of Challenge 6.3 under the UNEP Action Plan for the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Empowering 'Generation Restoration' through youth-focused curricula (for ages 10–16 and 16+) and 5,000 collaborative partnerships would be a key measure of success.
Baharoon outlined clear markers that would indicate the RCE's success over the next five years.
'[These] include achieving a significant increase in community engagement in sustainability initiatives; realising measurable positive impacts on local environmental conditions; the development and dissemination of innovative educational resources and programmes; and the establishment of strong, collaborative partnerships across various sectors,' he said.
Shaping Eco Lifestyles
As it reaches out to the community, Abu Dhabi – RCE aims to drive climate action by offering field-based learning, tapping into cultural knowledge, and promoting behavioural change. EAD's naha platform will play a key role in supporting this mission.
Available online, naha serves as an environmental lifestyle guide, providing a single access point to EAD's initiatives.
'Through 'my naha', users receive a personalised climate lifestyle journey, accessible 24/7, with a special emphasis on engaging younger generations,' according to information on www.naha.ae
The naha platform is more than a digital tool, Baharoon said.
'It is a central hub for collaboration and learning, offering interactive modules, workshops, and forums to engage stakeholders in advancing sustainability. It underpins the RCE's work by making its resources widely accessible across the region.'
Scaling impact across the GCC is another priority for the RCE, Baharoon said, 'Starting with our Abu Dhabi initiatives, we will support the Ministry of Education at the UAE level, and make our online platforms naha and e-GREEN regionally accessible.'
A Greener Future
Looking ahead, Baharoon said the RCE recognition will 'elevate Abu Dhabi's standing to become a key driving force in transformative learning and climate action'.
'It will attract increased investment towards environmental initiatives and provide a strong platform to adopt innovative environmental education initiatives, exchange best practices, and foster collaboration across government, NGOs, and the community,' he added.
In the future, the EAD official sees the Abu Dhabi – RCE 'expanding its network of partners, deepening its engagement with local communities, and developing innovative programmes that address emerging sustainability challenges'.
'This includes a greater focus on areas such as climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, the circular economy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development,' he said.
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