Hamburger Buttonclosesearch
العربيةkeyboard_arrow_right

Protecting Nature and Biodiversity

We believe that protecting nature and biodiversity is vital for life on earth and crucial to improving lives in our communities.

Overview
Planting millions of mangroves
Conserving habitats and preserving species

To preserve our planet and conserve our nation’s biodiversity, cutting carbon emissions is just one part of the solution. That’s why our sustainability strategy also prioritizes initiatives and collaborations that protect and restore nature, through partnerships and nature-based solutions.

Planting millions of mangroves

Mangroves protect our coastlines, shelter wildlife and store large amounts of carbon. As part of the UAE's goal to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030, we have committed to plant 10 million, working closely with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). To move faster, we are planting them by drone, with 5 million already in the ground since 2023. 

10M

mangroves to be planted by 2030

5M

planted since 2023 via drone technology

Conserving habitats and preserving species

Alongside EAD, we run programs to protect the UAE's natural heritage. We conserve the habitats where we operate, from mangroves and coral reefs to seagrass beds and deserts, and we help protect species including the green and hawksbill sea turtle, the dugong, the osprey and the Arabian oryx. 

>200 osprey nesting platforms

constructed to boost populations

>1,000 artificial coral reef structures

deployed to safeguard marine life

Conserving Arabian oryx

The Arabian oryx was once on the brink of extinction. It survives today thanks to our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who arranged for two breeding pairs to be saved. Through the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Release Program, managed by EAD, the UAE is now home to the largest population of Arabian oryx in the world.

We help protect the oryx at our sites in Qusahwira, Das Island and Zirku Island, providing medical care, food and shelter. Working with EAD, we monitor and support the herds so this iconic species continues to thrive.
 

Safeguarding sea turtles

The endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on our shores. Two major nesting and hatching sites sit within our concession areas around Zirku and Arzanah Islands, and we manage our operations carefully to protect them.

We support EAD's efforts to rescue, treat and release turtles. In 2025, 50 stranded, injured or at-risk turtles were released back into the wild, thanks to a partnership between EAD, the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi and the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center. Our Hail and Ghasha development sponsored 11 satellite tags, so we can follow the turtles' journeys after release and learn how they use their habitat.
 

Deploying artificial coral reef structures

We have installed more than 1,000 artificial coral reef structures across sites including Makasib Island, Rock Mosfayer, Zirku Island, Nitah, Das Island and Hail and Ghasha. Each dome becomes a shelter, a breeding ground and a feeding area, giving marine life a safe place to thrive.

Next, we will work with EAD to transplant coral fragments onto these structures to help healthy reefs regrow. We developed the program with EAD, as part of our shared commitment to restoring life in sensitive marine areas.
 

Preserving dugong habitats

Abu Dhabi is home to the world's second largest dugong population, and these gentle sea mammals depend on seagrass to survive. Seagrass beds are more than feeding grounds. They are rich ecosystems that support hundreds of species, and they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, earning them the name “the ocean's lungs”.

We support EAD's work to protect these habitats in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, within our Hail and Ghasha development. Together, we track dugong movements and safeguard their feeding grounds, keeping the impact of our operations to a minimum.

Increasing osprey populations

The osprey, known locally as “demi”, is a striking coastal bird with sharp eyes and a dramatic dive. Abu Dhabi has one of the largest reported osprey breeding populations in the Arabian Gulf, but their numbers are falling as habitat loss makes it harder for them to nest and raise their young.

We are working to turn this around. With EAD, we have installed more than 200 nesting platforms across our concession areas, including Hail and Ghasha, AlNouf, and the Zirku, Arzanah and Mubarraz Islands.