Mashable: A transformative ecological endeavour has been unveiled in Dubai this week, promising to revolutionize the emirate's coastline with lush greenery. Dubbed the 'Dubai Mangroves' project, the ambitious initiative aims to plant over 100 million mangrove trees along 72 kilometres of beachfront by 2040. Spearheaded by Dubai-based sustainable cities developer URB, the project is envisioned to unfold in six phases, with plans encompassing various iconic beach locations including Jebel Ali Beach, Dubai Marina Beach, and Jumeirah Public Beach.

URB CEO Baharash Bagherian emphasized the project's multifaceted benefits, stating that each site offers unique conditions crucial for testing innovative coastal regeneration methods. The proposed mangrove forests are not only intended to fortify Dubai's coastal defences against rising sea levels but also to create thriving habitats for diverse flora and fauna species.

The project is not merely about ecological restoration; it also aims to foster eco-tourism and create green job opportunities. Plans include the development of boardwalks, biospheres, pocket beach parks, and social spaces, alongside edutainment assets such as visitor hubs and botanical museums. If realized, the initiative will offer guided nature walks, educational programs, and conservation activities, potentially generating up to 10,000 green jobs.

Plans for what would be the world’s largest coastal regeneration project have been unveiled in Dubai.

Once completed, Dubai Mangroves would become a 72km stretch of regenerated coastline and home to 100 million planted mangrove trees, developer URB has announced.#Dubai pic.twitter.com/TghNvILPjl — DubaiHaus.com (@DubaiHaus) April 30, 2024

In terms of funding, URB intends to explore a mix of financing sources, including sponsorship, investment in carbon credits, and private collaborations. Bagherian highlighted the potential for businesses and private entities to contribute to the project's success, particularly in environmental education and conservation efforts.

Cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in mangrove restoration efforts, with plans to utilize drones and artificial intelligence-powered tools. Drones equipped for planting mangrove seeds will be deployed, while satellite imagery and AI-driven analytics will enable efficient tracking and prediction of expansion efforts.

At the core of the initiative lies the remarkable capacity of mangroves to sequester carbon, protect coastal areas, and support marine life. URB estimates that the entire project could sequester 1.23 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing emissions from over 260,000 gasoline-powered vehicles.

The 'Dubai Mangroves' project represents a significant stride towards sustainable development and environmental conservation in the region, complementing URB's previous initiatives such as the Dubai Reefs floating community and 'The Loop' climate-controlled cycle highway.