UAE Universities Climate Network

🌍 Exciting News! The launch of the UCN Decarbonization Academy, a groundbreaking initiative by the Carbon Neutrality Pillar of the Universities Climate Network (UCN), was a huge success with more than 110 attendees. This initiative, led by Ajman University, the American University of Sharjah, and New York University Abu Dhabi, is aiming to pave the way for climate awareness and carbon literacy across the UAE. 📚 Our first session started with an introduction by Maya Haddad about the initiative, the UCN and its pillars as well as some background information on carbon neutrality. It was followed by a brief about the Carbon Neutrality Pillar by Julia Carlow and an outline of the components of a climate action plan. The main part of the session focused on how to draft a climate action plan, offering valuable insights and practical tools for participants. Antonios Vouloudis has shared in details a very helpful presentation on how New York University Abu Dhabi embarked on its climate action plan journey, key stakeholders involved and behavioral based application tips. 💡 The UCN Decarbonization Academy will continue to offer a series of online workshops on various decarbonization topics, hosted by sustainability experts from academia. This free webinar series aligns with the UAE Year of Community, ensuring climate and carbon literacy is accessible to all members of society. Join us in this journey towards a sustainable future! Let's make a difference together. 🌱 Special thanks to all the participants and attendees!! Mufeed Batarseh Sheena Viado Cabasag Wael Sheta Dr. Jacinta Dsilva Faisal Al Raisi Hamed Abu Sara Rasha Abdelrahman Rami Elhadi Dr Rasha Bayoumi Dr. Maged Saad, PhD I PfMP I RMP I PMP I Adjunct Professor I Projects - Risk Consultant I Nika Salvetti Fares Alhomsi Sohaib Naseem Khan Lana AbuQulbain Mohammed Azmy Meis Moukayed Prof Adel Ahmed Hadeel Bustami sahar makky Fatima Alali Purnima Krishnan #UCNDecarbonizationAcademy #ClimateAwareness #CarbonLiteracy #Sustainability #UAEYearOfCommunity #ClimateActionPlan

📣 📣 Exciting Leadership Transformation at UCN's Communal Activations Pillar! We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Suzanna ElMassah from Zayed University as the new co-leader, joining the exceptional Prof.sherine Farouk from Abu Dhabi University in steering the Communal Activations Pillar this year. 🌿 🌿 🌿 This pillar represents a powerful network of climate experts, bringing together brilliant minds from universities across the United Arab Emirates. This collaborative approach embodies the true spirit of interdisciplinary climate action and innovative problem-solving. 🌿 🌿 🌿 A heartfelt congratulations to our dynamic co-leads and dedicated team members. Your passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment are the driving forces behind meaningful environmental change. Together, we're not just discussing climate challenges—we're actively crafting solutions. We extend our deepest gratitude to Jawaher AlShehhi for her contributions to the UCN Communal Activations Pillar throughout the past year. #ClimateAction #UAEInnovation #SustainabilityLeaders #UniversityCollaboration #ClimateSolutions #YearofCommunity #CommunityEngagement #socialimpact #Sustainability

Post-Webinar Highlights: Scaling up Nature-based Solutions in MENA: Universities' Role in Supporting the Nature-Climate Nexus The MENA Climate Solutions Research Network, an initiative by the UAE Universities Climate Network (UCN) in collaboration with Climate Champions Team, organized a webinar on Scaling up Nature-based Solutions in MENA: Universities' Role in Supporting the Nature-Climate Nexus on February 26, 2025. Moderated by Dr Rasha Bayoumi, UCN Co-Chair and Head of Research at University of Birmingham Dubai, the webinar hosted two distinguished speakers who shared valuable insights into innovative nature-based solutions (NBS) and the role of academia in driving climate action: 🔹 Dr. Yasmine Abdel-Maksoud Senior Technical Manager, CARES - The American University in Cairo Dr. Abdel-Maksoud presented the Mangroves Ecosystem Restoration System (MERS) project, implemented along the western Red Sea coast in Egypt. This inspiring project demonstrates how mangrove restoration serves as a powerful nature-based solution for climate change adaptation. 🔹 Dr. Nika Salvetti Visiting Professor, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Dr. Salvetti discussed the Packaging Programme designed and implemented at Heriot-Watt University, focusing on the importance of regenerative packaging across key sectors: F&B, Logistics, E-Commerce, and Humanitarian Aid. She highlighted how applying circular economy principles can effectively scale up nature-based solutions at both corporate and community levels. Together, these innovative approaches reflect how universities across the MENA region are taking a leading role in advancing the nature-climate nexus, promoting sustainability, and fostering partnerships for impactful climate action. We thank everyone who joined us in this impactful webinar. #NatureBasedSolutions #MENAClimateAction #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #UniversitiesForClimate #ClimateAdaptation

Happening today at 12:00pm UAE time. The UAE Universities Climate Network is hosting Scaling Up Nature-based Solutions in MENA. Click the link below to join this impactful webinar with Dr. Yasmine Abdel-Maksoud and Dr. Nika Salvetti, moderated by Dr Rasha Bayoumi. #UCN #Sustainability #ClimateSolutions

UAE Universities Climate Network is hosting UCN Decarbonization Academy - Drafting a Climate Action Plan. Make sure to attend it tomorrow. Register here to get the link: https://lnkd.in/dXa6FpTv

We're thrilled to invite you to the launch of the 𝗨𝗖𝗡 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆, a groundbreaking initiative launched by the 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 of the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗨𝗖𝗡). Spearheaded by Ajman University , the American University of Sharjah , and New York University Abu Dhabi , this series aims to make climate and carbon literacy accessible to all, in alignment with the UAE Year of Community and our commitment to support other institutions in their decarbonization journey. ➡️𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻: • 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁-𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Dive into online workshops led by top sustainability experts from academia, covering essential decarbonization topics. • 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀: Discover practical steps to effectively decarbonize your institution. • 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Connect with a passionate network of individuals dedicated to sustainability. ➡️𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 & 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀: • Monday, February 24, 2025: Drafting a Climate Action Plan • Monday, March 24, 2025: Introduction to Climate and Carbon Literacy • Monday, April 28, 2025: Navigating Data Collection & Emissions Calculation • Monday, May 26, 2025: Considerations for Improving Energy Efficiency  ➡️𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: • 📅 Every last Monday of the month • 🕒 12:00pm (UAE Time) • 📍 Online (Link will be provided upon registration) • Registration link: https://lnkd.in/dXa6FpTv ➡️𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱? This free webinar series not only promotes climate awareness but also offers a Certificate of Training Completion for those who successfully attend all four sessions. Our expert speakers include: Antonios Vouloudis Julia Carlow Maya Haddad