PLANS are in place to plant as many as 100,000 mangrove seeds next year to help nurture Bahrain’s natural ecological weapon against climate change.
The country will also engage in satellite imaging to identify more ‘hot pockets’ to work further on its plans to reduce the impact of temperature increases.
A team of environment experts are diligently working on growing mangrove saplings, while satellite images of at least three sites revealed high human activities and fewer trees as the likely reason for increased temperatures.
These all form part of Bahrain’s initiatives towards achieving its commitment to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2060, said Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) chief executive Dr Mohammed Bin Daina yesterday.
He was speaking at a roundtable discussion on ‘Net Zero by 2060 – What will it take from all?’ at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“The targets are challenging, but we are determined,” said Dr Bin Daina. “We’re going to quadruple the size of the mangroves as we know the role they play in carbon absorption.
“We achieved the initial goal of planting 10,000 seeds annually, which will increase to between 90,000 and 100,000 from now on.
“It’s not easy and we have to plan – you have to pick up the seeds, set them to grow to a certain level in the right medium, current of water etc, to make them strong enough to survive.
“There is a team working on the project and we have nurseries to grow these seedlings before re-planting.
“There is no manual on how to grow mangroves – it is a complicated process – but we are going to achieve our goal.”
Although mangroves make up less than one per cent of all tropical forests around the world, they have a critical role in mitigating climate change. Mangrove soils are highly effective carbon sinks, locking away large quantities of carbon and stopping it from entering the atmosphere.
Mangroves are shrubs, or small trees, that grow along coastlines and in brackish water, or water that is part salt and part fresh. Having these plants across the kingdom not only helps sequester large amounts of carbon, they protect against storm surges and coastal erosion, as well as filter pollutants and provide habitat for aquatic life.
Alongside Net Zero 2060 and quadrupling of mangroves, Bahrain has also committed on cutting emissions by 35 per cent by 2035, doubling plantations and doubling renewable energy goals. This was announced by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, last month at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow.
Dr Bin Daina highlighted the initiatives including the Trees of Life campaign in association with telecom giant stc Bahrain and the national afforestation campaign ‘Forever Green’, both in co-operation with the SCE, as efforts towards achieving the goal of doubling the plantation of trees.
“The main impacts of climate change in Bahrain are temperature increases, rising sea level and the loss of coastal areas,” said Dr Bin Daina who is also His Majesty’s Special Envoy for Climate Affairs.
“We have a set of satellite images taken over Bahrain and have identified at least three areas with hot pockets with fewer trees and increased human activity.
“We have identified a list of trees suitable for Bahrain’s climate with roots that do not impact on infrastructure or need a lot of water, as well as those offering shade.
“We will re-engage in the satellite imaging process to see the impact of the plantations as they grow as well as to locate more areas in need of action.”
Emphasising on the need for economic diversification and a waste management strategy to achieve its environmental goals within the energy sector, Dr Bin Daina added that companies must submit their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals to remain listed in the market.
Also present at the forum was Alba chief executive Ali Al Baqali, who stressed on the need of awareness on green energy.
UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Climate Action, Michael Haddad, highlighted the element of ‘hope’. The paraplegic sportsman hit the headlines last week by setting a world record in Bahrain by running a 100m race using an exoskeleton and crutches. He inspired the audience by underlining that ‘nothing was impossible’, in the context of climate goals.
Bahrain University College of Sciences Renewable Energy head Dr Hanan Al Buflasa underlined the importance of local research in addressing climate conditions and achieving the goals outlined. The session was moderated by UNDP Renewable Energy Consultant Rami Othman.
As reported in yesterday’s GDN, Rotarians in Bahrain have been given a new green mission after a leading Rotarian visited the kingdom and heard of pioneering work to help save, manage and improve the country’s mighty mangroves.
During a recent gala dinner, Rotary International president Shekhar Mehta shared the global green campaign with more than 100 Rotarians from Manama, Salmaniya, Adliya and Seef districts, plus Rotaract members. He urged them to start their efforts in fighting climate change with helping to plant more mangroves.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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