ABU DHABI, 13th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG), with the support of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the global platform for accelerating sustainable development hosted by Masdar, held a digital knowledge sharing session on the “Path Towards a Nature-Positive Future”.
The session was held on 2nd March, 2023, in Abu Dhabi to cover the critical impacts of the global biodiversity framework, a significant topic of discussion during December’s COP 15 Biodiversity Summit held in Montreal, and how we can contribute practically to delivering these goals and targets at a local level.
The Hiwar session recorded an exceptional level of participation from more than 200 local and regional sustainability professionals, which included ADSG member organisations, sustainability experts, thought leaders and practitioners from the government, private and non-profit sector.
With a global climate change crisis looming, this session focused on the need to not only manage but halt and reverse the destruction of nature by 2030. Hosted under a “Nature-Positive” theme, the discussions explored how governments, businesses, investors, and communities need to synergise efforts towards a holistic governance model with nature at the core of its decision-making.
With a dynamic panel of experts at the forefront of this event, it provided much-needed global and regional perspectives on the transition from vision to action with measurable targets and implementation frameworks.
Martin Lok, Executive Director of Capitals Coalition, provided a global context to a nature-positive approach and the Capitals Coalition’s work.
Speaking at the event, Dexter Galvin, Global Director of Corporations and Supply Chain at the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), provided more insight into global best practices, general updates and case studies.
Providing a comprehensive local perspective on how nature is deeply intertwined with sustainable finance, Shargiil Bashir, EVP and Chief Sustainability Office at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), commented, “Finding the right balance between nature and finance is critical to how we can transition to a greener tomorrow. Moreover, the banking sector has a decisive role in financing this transition through products and solutions that are structured to take into account the impact and risks associated with our environment.”
Cedric Bachellerie, Co-founder and Managing Director at Sustainamics, who served as moderator, commented during the session, “Seven years after the Paris Agreement, most businesses are still wrestling with the consequences of the 1.5-degree target for their business model and supply chains. Imagine the urgency and support businesses will require to become ‘Nature-Positive’ within the next seven years to 2030. That is the latest sustainability challenge thrown at businesses by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by 188 countries last December. But with great challenges come great opportunities, and at Sustainamics, we look forward to supporting businesses in their journey of transformation and innovation for superior sustainable performance.”
Marina Antonopoulou, Director of Climate and Nature Conservation at Emirates Nature-WWF, ended the session with an in-depth perspective on how governments and corporate entities in the country are mobilising to ensure nature thrives.
The digital event session concluded with a closing note from Huda Al Houqani, Director of the ADSG, who said, “In conclusion, a path towards a nature-positive future is not only desirable. However, it is essential for our planet’s survival and its inhabitants’ well-being. As we continue our discussion here, let us work together to ensure that we leave behind a legacy of a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable planet for generations to come.”
The ADSG is an initiative of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi launched in 2008 to champion sustainability and facilitate dialogue among leading organisations in the Emirates.