Dubai’s new conservation push spans deserts, mountains and marine ecosystems

Dubai’s Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) is working with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to develop an integrated program to manage the emirate’s eight nature reserves, covering marine, mountain, and desert ecosystems.

The program will establish a framework for protecting the reserves, conserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of their natural resources, Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director-General of DECCA, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition 2026.

The authority is also advancing projects aimed at restoring marine ecosystems. These include Dubai Reef, which plans to deploy 20,000 purpose-built reef modules across Dubai’s waters to create habitats for marine life and support biodiversity and fish populations.

The project has already shown early signs of ecological impact. Surveys at its proof-of-concept site indicated a potential 10 percent increase in marine biodiversity and an eightfold increase in fish biomass across 15 native species.

DECCA is also testing artificial intelligence in areas such as biodiversity monitoring, environmental surveys, bird-nest monitoring, and wildlife population counts. Bin Thani said an initial AI trial had produced promising results, although the technology remains at the pilot stage.

The authority is using the conference and exhibition to bring together government entities, private-sector companies, academics, and environmental specialists to discuss climate and environmental challenges and explore technology-based solutions.

Separately, an environmental photography award is being used to raise awareness of conservation and natural diversity, with the winners scheduled to be announced on September 8.