Mubadala Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor,is today celebrating World Environment Day and the ongoing efforts and achievements of its partners the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund) and Emirates Nature-WWF.
In 2021 Mubadala committed $1.5 million annually for three years to support the MBZ Fund conservation efforts for the protection of endangered flora and fauna in Africa and Asia. Mubadala’s contribution is focused on projects in countries where Mubadala and its portfolio companies have operations. In the UAE, Mubadala has led environmental efforts through its partnership with the Emirates Nature-WWF, an organization actively promoting a greener and cleaner planet by strengthening climate action.
Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO, Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer, said: “Partnerships are at the core of everything we do at Mubadala, and prioritizing the protection of the planet is a key area of focus. We play an important role in raising awareness for environmental conservation. As a responsible investor, we will continue focusing our resources on sustainable transactions and ensuring we do our best to create a better tomorrow for generations to come.”
Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, commented: “In just over a year this remarkable partnership between the Mubadala and the MBZ Fund has delivered fabulous results. Species have been found after not being seen for decades, crucial data on the presence and absence of species has been collected enabling conservationists to develop and implement conservation action, and local communities have been engaged to protect their local species and their habitat. Furthermore, the support has enabled local conservationists to develop their own careers and local NGOs to implement conservation work.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General, Emirates Nature-WWF, commented: “As we head into another year of partnership with Mubadala, we look forward to making further contributions to the UAE’s commitments at COP28 and climate-related policies, supporting the UAE’s Green Growth Strategy. Together, we are co-creating solutions that work for our unique landscape, all as part of our Leaders of Change program. Strong and sustained partnerships play a key role and by leveraging the strengths of these collaborations, we can achieve transformative impact at scale.”
Through its partnership with MBZ Fund, Mubadala focuses on countries where portfolio companies operate such as Guinea, Indonesia, and Thailand, which also represent some of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots. In Guinea, funds are directed to preserving endangered marine species including critically endangered marine turtles, threat assessments on the Atlantic humpbacked dolphin (Sousa teuszii), and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).
In Indonesia, funds support the marine ecosystem, in particular coral reefs and seagrass, in the Makasaar Strait, as well as terrestrial ecosystems through wildcat conservation in Aceh Province. Furthermore, in Thailand, the support focuses on migratory wading birds – in particular the Spotted greenshank (Tringaguttifer), and their mud-flat and mangrove habitats in the northern Gulf of Thailand, and the Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogaleperspicillata), as well as other freshwater species located at Kaeng Krachan National Park.
The partnership highlights Mubadala’s commitment to responsible investing that drives positive impact and is the first of its kind in the region where corporate and conservation donor entities are collaborating to invest in preventing biodiversity loss.
In the UAE Mubadala’s long-standing collaboration with Emirates Nature-WWF aims to maintain and restore local natural heritage and biodiversity, address climate and air quality issues, lower carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy, among other priorities. Volunteer and training programs also contribute to the conservation blueprint of the UAE by providing members of the community with the opportunity to support on-ground initiatives and upskill their leadership capabilities in the process.
These strategic partnerships and initiatives reinforce Mubadala’s conviction to create positive change in the communities where it deploys capital and leaves lasting positive impact.