Mangroves are among the most effective natural systems for carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and biodiversity support in the MENA region and beyond. In Abu Dhabi, UAE, large‑scale mangrove restoration has become a cornerstone of the Emirate’s climate resilience agenda, combining ecological regeneration with innovation in climate technology.
Data-Driven Solutions for Coastal Resilience
In Abu Dhabi, precision mapping, aerial monitoring, and automated planting systems are enabling restoration at a speed and scale surpassing traditional methods, reducing costs, improving accuracy, and generating data for better ecosystem management.
Within this landscape of innovation, Distant Imagery Solutions, as a technical partner in support of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI) implemented by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), provides automated aerial systems and data-driven tools for mangrove seeding and monitoring.
Their systems, including drones, seeding units, and software for health assessments and mapping, have helped plant millions of mangroves for ADMI and other partners including Engie, Mubadala Energy, ADNOC and Tecnimont. The company also works with communities in the Global South through a licensing and knowledge‑sharing model that ensures local groups keep all revenue from using the technology, while contributing their innovations back to the collective to create shared learning and scalable impact.
Combining nature-based solutions with emerging technologies and local capacity building, these efforts are laying the groundwork for scalable, science-led restoration models, supporting broader national and regional ambitions to expand blue carbon forests and strengthening long‑term coastal protection.
Read more at Climate tech is helping Abu Dhabi grow its blue-carbon forests – Thrive in Abu Dhabi.