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Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Science
- Mid East Info
Racing Against Time: The International Call to Save the World's Mangroves
In Abu Dhabi last December, more than 300 global experts, policymakers and community leaders came together with one resounding message: we are racing against the clock to save our mangroves. At the first International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference (IMCRC), organised by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI), delegates from 82 countries sounded the alarm: nearly 50 per cent of the world's mangroves are at risk of collapse by 2050 due to relentless human-driven pressures. Their interventions emphasised the need for urgent collective action to protect these vital ecosystems, rehabilitate those affected and promote sustainable management practices. The IMCRC also highlighted Abu Dhabi's growing role as a global hub for mangrove science and restoration leadership. Through ADMI, a comprehensive programme that includes all projects and research concerned with protecting and restoring mangrove and blue carbon systems in the emirate, and under the leadership of EAD in partnership with The Global Mangrove Alliance, the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the Global Ocean Decade Programme for Blue Carbon, and other international partners, the conference underscored the urgent need to accelerate global efforts on mangrove conservation and restoration, as well as the UAE's leadership position as a centre for innovation, research and large-scale ecological restoration. Coinciding with the International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves, which is celebrated annually to raise global awareness of the importance of these coastal ecosystems and enhance international efforts to protect and restore them, the call was renewed to unite efforts to conserve this vital resource. Mangrove forests are more than just coastal greenery – they are powerful natural shields against rising seas and storms, vital nurseries for marine life and powerful carbon sinks critical for mitigating climate change. The planet cannot afford to lose these irreplaceable ecosystems. Protecting what we have left is no longer optional – it is a global imperative. Despite sobering warnings, the conference sparked a sense of optimism. Scientific breakthroughs, successful community-led initiatives, and a growing wave of political momentum are offering a blueprint for mangrove survival – and perhaps even a large-scale comeback. Science-Based Mangrove Restoration: Over the past three decades, more than one million hectares of mangroves have been lost, but experts at IMCRC emphasised that about 70 per cent of this loss, which is over 800,000 hectares of mangroves, are available for restoration globally. At the heart of this transformation is Ecological Mangrove Restoration (EMR), an approach rooted in science, community engagement, and deep respect for natural processes. EMR prioritises restoring the essential ecological conditions of hydrology, soil health, and tidal flows that allow mangroves to naturally regenerate. Scientific studies confirm that nature has an innate ability to recover when the appropriate conditions are available, without the need for human intervention, but only through protecting sites or rehabilitating hydrological systems. When nature leads the way, the results are stronger forests, richer biodiversity and real resilience against climate impacts. In this context, the importance of mangrove restoration programmes based on accurate scientific foundations emerges. These programmes are among the most prominent tools for positive intervention to accelerate the pace of environmental recovery. By selecting appropriate sites, adopting local species and applying modern agricultural techniques, these programmes contribute to the rehabilitation of damaged habitats and enhance the ability of these ecosystems to adapt to climate change and ongoing pressures. Connecting Nature, Empowering People: Another major outcome of the conference was the recognition that mangrove conservation cannot happen in isolation. Experts championed a coastal and seascape approach: restoring corridors from mangroves to seagrasses to coral reefs and ensuring upstream river connectivity. Crucially, the conference placed local communities at the centre of future mangrove strategies. Across sessions, speakers echoed a simple truth: successful mangrove conservation must be by the people and for the people. Communities who depend on mangroves for fisheries, storm protection, and livelihoods must be engaged from the start – with clear land tenure rights, capacity-building programmes, and diversified income opportunities like eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries. Mangroves and local communities are interdependent and when communities thrive, so do mangroves. Financing the Future: One of the stark challenges highlighted was funding. To scale up restoration to the required level for success, large and diversified investments – from governments, private companies and philanthropic organisations – must flow faster. The Mangrove Breakthrough, introduced at COP27, aims to mobilise $4 billion for mangrove protection and restoration by 2030, bridging critical gaps between policy, finance and action. But financing must go beyond carbon credits. Delegates called for financial models that recognise the full suite of mangrove ecosystem services – from biodiversity protection to disaster risk reduction – and channel funds into long-term, science-driven, community-anchored projects. The reality is stark: $8 trillion in investment is needed to tackle the biodiversity crisis, and annual financing for nature must quadruple by 2050. Small-scale projects alone cannot meet this challenge – scaling up investment is key. In this context, the ADMI Partnership Programme represents a promising model. It enables organisations within and outside the emirate to collaborate on joint initiatives to rehabilitate and protect mangrove trees, enhancing their ability to have a tangible positive impact on nature, climate and society. This programme is based on a scientific approach to effectively and sustainably restore coastal areas and calls for the integration of efforts between the public and private sectors and various stakeholders. Speakers were clear-eyed: urgent action must follow urgent words. The final message from the conference declared: 'We have the knowledge. We have the tools. What we need now is scale, speed and solidarity.' The world has a narrow window to secure the future of mangroves. The IMCRC marked an important milestone – a rallying point for a rising global movement committed to protecting one of nature's most extraordinary, life-giving ecosystems. The race is on – but with science, community and political will aligned, the future can still be one where mangroves not only survive, but flourish. About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi EAD Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda. About Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative: Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative ADMI is the first of its kind in the region, launched in partnership between Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Zoological Society of London during the visit of Prince William with H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2022. Supporting global biodiversity conservation and restoration goals and the UAE's climate goals, it is establishing a Mangrove Conservation Centre of Excellence in the UAE. The initiative represents an umbrella for all coastal conservation and restoration projects locally, provides a platform for regional and international collaboration as well as encouraging necessary public-private partnerships.
Business Wire
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Building on Strong Customer Demand, Mangrove Lithium to Significantly Expand North America's Refining Capacity with Massive New Facility
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mangrove Lithium today announced a major expansion initiative to address North America's growing need for secure, reliable lithium refining. The new facility will be capable of producing 20,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium, enough to power over 500,000 electric vehicles annually. To anchor demand for the new facility, Mangrove has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple leading U.S. battery gigafactories. These agreements cover offtake for 20,000 tonnes per annum of battery grade lithium—demonstrating the market's trust in Mangrove's refining technology and operational readiness. 'These MoUs reflect the accelerating interest from global customers who recognize Mangrove as a strategic partner in securing lithium supply,' said Saad Dara, CEO and founder of Mangrove Lithium. Annie Liu, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at Mangrove, added 'Having negotiated deals for automakers like Tesla and Ford, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to have a reliable Western lithium supply chain—and that's exactly what Mangrove delivers.' The new plant will integrate spodumene concentrate processing, extending Mangrove's electrochemical processing flowsheet upstream. This marks a critical step toward reshoring parts of the lithium value chain that are currently dominated by Chinese processing infrastructure. 'The fragility of the global lithium supply chain is growing every day,' said Dara. 'Mangrove is building the foundation for a self-reliant, scalable, and sustainable North American lithium future.' Earlier this year, China proposed an export ban on key lithium processing and extraction technologies—reinforcing the urgency for localized alternatives. Since the majority of lithium is currently processed in China, these restrictions pose a significant risk to global supply chains, making domestic capabilities like Mangrove's increasingly vital. Mangrove's feedstock and product flexible electrochemical refining technology not only cuts costs, but it reduces the carbon footprint of the supply chain, eliminates waste production, and brings lithium refining where it is needed most. Construction is already underway at Mangrove's first commercial facility in Delta, British Columbia, following a successful $35 million USD funding round. The project remains on track to begin operations by the end of the year, with capacity to produce enough lithium annually to support approximately 25,000 electric vehicles. About Mangrove Lithium Mangrove Lithium is a lithium refining company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a mission to build scalable, battery-grade lithium production across North America and beyond. The company has developed a patented electrochemical refining technology that converts diverse lithium feedstocks into high-purity battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate. Mangrove's platform enables economic lithium production and is designed to integrate seamlessly into upstream and downstream supply chains. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Asahi Kasei, and BDC Capital, Mangrove is advancing lithium infrastructure to meet the global demand for secure, domestic battery production. Learn more at
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah to decide on 2 more Ramsar sites in October
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to decide in October on the potential designation of two more Ramsar sites in the state. Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society president Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa had proposed that the Klias Peninsular and Lahad Datu be listed under the international wetlands conservation pact. The documentation and site visits to prepare for the listing of Klias site, which spans about 1,000 acres, have been ongoing for two years. The proposal to list the 200-acre Lahad Datu site has been submitted to the state government through the Natural Resources Office (NRO), in collaboration with POIC Lahad Datu and with full support from the Sabah Forestry Department. "I think the state cabinet will make a final decision on that in October. "The whole idea is, once they become Ramsar site, it is in a higher level of protection," Zainie said after the launch of a mangrove preservation programme by Hibiscus Petroleum at the Ramsar Wetlands Kota Kinabalu here. Sabah has two Ramsar sites: the 78,803ha Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, gazetted in 2008, and the 24ha Kota Kinabalu Wetland, recognised in 2016. Commenting on the rising interest in the trade of mangrove-based carbon credits, Zainie said the trading is done at the Bursa Carbon Exchange. To date, Sabah's Kuamut Rainforest is the first nature-based carbon project in Malaysia listed on the Exchange in July last year. Zainie added that the state government had received related proposals in recent years, but their status remained unclear. "But whatever it is, it is something very good for nature and for conservation of environment. Countries like us should wisely use of our mangroves. "Meaning to say, we get money from these companies overseas, from these parties overseas, to do re-conservation or continue to do conservation for our site here. "This ( process of trading mangrove-based carbon credits) will be under the state government. But I believe it will be spearheaded by the Sabah Forestry Department." In April, the Sabah assembly passed the Forest (Amendment) Enactment 2025 to regulate the trade of the state's forest carbon credits. In February, Universiti Malaysia Sabah forestry lecturer Associate Professor Dr Berhaman Ahmad had said that mangroves can sequester 10 times more carbon than dryland forests. Meanwhile, Sabah Hibiscus Petroleum's Operated Asset head Edmund Ang congratulated 50 students from SM Tshung Tsin, SMK Likas, SMK Lok Yuk, SMK Taman Tun Fuad and SM Kian Kok for taking part in the half-day programme themed "Shaping Tomorrow's Mangrove Protectors Today."
Al Etihad
20-05-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
ADAFSA reaffirms commitment to advancing Emirati honeybee breed
20 May 2025 14:14 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) reiterates its unwavering support for Emirati beekeepers, in celebration of World Bee Day, observed annually on May commitment is exemplified through the continued provision of high-quality queen bees from the Emirati honeybee breed, aiming to ensure the sustainability of the beekeeping sector and enhance the production of premium local honey varieties such as Samar, Sidr, Ghaf, Mangrove, and March and April 2025, ADAFSA successfully bred and produced 2,100 tenth-generation queen bees of the Emirati honeybee breed. This initiative is part of ADAFSA's ongoing efforts to develop a resilient local bee strain, reducing reliance on imported bee colonies and ensuring the sustainability of beekeeping practices within the 2016 to 2024, ADAFSA produced nine generations of Emirati queen bees, totalling 18,692 queens, with 14,461 distributed to beekeepers across the the current year, ADAFSA has distributed 1,350 tenth-generation queens to 39 beekeepers. The breeding programme aims to produce 2,300 queens during the spring season (March–May) and an additional 3,000 queens in the autumn season (October–November), culminating in a total of 5,300 tenth-generation queens by the end of is intensifying efforts to elevate local honey to global January 31 to February 9, 2025, the authority organised the Al Wathba Honey Festival, held in conjunction with the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu festival featured participation from 50 beekeepers and honey production included eight competitions, introducing new categories for the best wax mould and best honey product packaging. A total of 272 participants competed, with 40 winners receiving prizes amounting to Dh439,000. To further promote awareness of the unique value of Emirati honey, ADAFSA produced an educational video showcasing the diverse honey varieties derived from the UAE's varied landscapes—from the mountains of Al Ain and the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the mangrove honey types include Samar, Sidr, Ghaf, Mangrove, and wildflower honeys. The video underscores the pivotal role of beekeepers and queen bees in producing this valuable nectar and emphasises ADAFSA's efforts in developing the Emirati honeybee breed. It also highlights honey's status as a natural source rich in antioxidants with numerous health video conveys the message that protecting bees is a civilised practice essential for sustaining biodiversity and food security in the the realm of guidance and education, ADAFSA has conducted various workshops and scientific seminars on beekeeping and honey covered include preparing honey samples for local and international competitions, evaluation mechanisms in honey contests, and interactive sessions with beekeepers to discuss challenges in the beekeeping sector and strategies to overcome ADAFSA has implemented two training courses on the fundamentals of beekeeping, targeting novice beekeepers, and another course on the breeding and introduction of queen courses are scheduled to be repeated in October 2025. Furthermore, a training course on honeybee pests and diseases and their control methods is planned for June 2025, aiming to maintain healthy bee colonies capable of thriving in the UAE's conditions and producing high-quality support of events focused on honey, ADAFSA, in collaboration with the Beekeepers Association, played an active role in organising and evaluating the 13th edition of the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB), held in Dubai from December 18 to 22, 2024. This marked the first time this global event was hosted outside Europe, reflecting ADAFSA's commitment to fostering a culture of beekeeping among youth both locally and event brought together over 100 young participants aged 12 to 18 from more than 40 countries. Activities included practical and theoretical competitions, educational workshops, and cultural programmes designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and raise awareness about the importance of bees in food security and environmental part of its educational initiatives, ADAFSA has published a comprehensive scientific guide titled "Bees and Beekeeping in the United Arab Emirates," the first of its kind publication highlights the biodiversity of bee species, sustainable hive management practices, and environmental challenges facing the beekeeping sector in the UAE. An accompanying children's booklet has been released to educate young readers about the significance of bees and honey production in an accessible and engaging its ongoing efforts in monitoring and prevention, ADAFSA has recently launched a national project to monitor diseases and pests affecting honeybee colonies. The project aims to establish an accurate database of health challenges threatening the Emirati honeybee breed and to develop a comprehensive national plan to manage these challenges in accordance with global best practices. The project's findings are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2026.
Cision Canada
29-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Carbon Alpha Selects Mangrove as Digital MRV Solution for North Star Carbon Removal Project
Mangrove's solution will enable Carbon Alpha to track CO2 in real time and streamline the verification of carbon credits from the North Star project. CALGARY, AB, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Carbon Alpha, a Canadian carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developer, has selected Mangrove Systems (Mangrove) as its digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (digital MRV) solution provider for its North Star carbon removal project. This strategic partnership brings together a leading biomass-based carbon removal initiative with a leading digital MRV solution to ensure transparency and trust in every ton of CO2 removed. North Star, a partnership between Carbon Alpha and Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC), is a groundbreaking CDR initiative focused on biogenic carbon removal. The North Star project —the first-of-its-kind in Canada — will capture carbon dioxide from the MLTC Bioenergy Centre and store it deep underground in Saskatchewan's well defined geological formations. The project is designed as a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) solution, converting sustainably sourced forestry waste into renewable energy and capturing the resulting biogenic CO2 for permanent storage. North Star is expected to generate approximately 90,000 high-quality carbon removal credits annually while providing local economic benefits and advancing Canada's net-zero goals. By integrating Mangrove's digital MRV solution into North Star's operations, Carbon Alpha will achieve real-time tracking of the entire carbon removal process – from biomass delivery and CO2 capture through to injection and storage. All data from field sensors, capture equipment, and storage sites will be consolidated into one secure system, providing a continuous, auditable record of carbon removal performance. This ensures complete, accurate, and verifiable CO2 removal data for every tonne captured, reinforcing Carbon Alpha's commitment to transparency and enabling efficient oversight by verification bodies and stakeholders. Mangrove's digital MRV solution is known for its robust capabilities in data management, automation, and reporting for carbon projects. The solution consolidates operational data across capture, transport, and storage, giving project developers a unified carbon system of record to drive key decisions on commercialization and compliance. By providing end-to-end traceability of each molecule of CO2, Mangrove's solution ensures complete visibility across the entire carbon removal process, fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders. Importantly, it also streamlines the carbon credit issuance process: the system can automatically compile the necessary reporting for independent validation and verification, and interface with carbon registries to accelerate credit issuance and serialization. For Carbon Alpha, this means the credits generated by North Star's removals can be issued more efficiently and with full confidence in their integrity. "This partnership marks a major step forward in our mission to deliver credible, measurable climate solutions," said Patrick Elliott, COO of Carbon Alpha. "By leveraging Mangrove's digital MRV solution, we can ensure that every tonne of CO2 we remove is accounted for with the highest degree of accuracy and transparency. Mangrove's solution gives us and our stakeholders confidence that North Star's carbon removal impact is real, permanent, and verifiable." "At Mangrove, we are thrilled to support innovative projects like North Star that push the boundaries of carbon removal," said Brandon Vlaar, CEO of Mangrove Systems. "Carbon Alpha's dedication to high-integrity carbon removal reflects the type of bold, scalable projects we aim to empower with our digital MRV technology. This collaboration demonstrates how digital MRV can underpin scalable carbon removal by providing the data integrity needed to engage partners, regulators, and credit buyers." For more information about North Star, please visit Interested in purchasing high-quality CDRs from this project? Contact [email protected]. About Carbon Alpha Carbon Alpha is a Canadian CDR developer dedicated to supplying carbon removal credits at scale. Founded in 2021 in Calgary, Carbon Alpha specializes in bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) projects, taking carbon removal initiatives from concept to credit generation. The company's integrated team of experts focuses on developing high-quality, scalable CDR projects that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere while delivering economic and environmental co-benefits. Carbon Alpha's flagship North Star project underscores its mission to create sustainable, community-driven carbon removal solutions that support climate targets and foster local development. For more information, visit: About Mangrove Systems SOURCE Mangrove Systems Inc.
