Ajman University Commits to Reverse Biodiversity Decline Through Worldwide Nature Positive Alliances
Ajman University (AU) is proud to announce that it has joined the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, which was launched at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) on December 8th, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Led by the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the Nature Positive Universities Alliance is a global network of universities that have made an official pledge to work towards a global Nature Positive goal in order to halt, prevent and reverse nature loss through addressing their own impacts and restoring ecosystems harmed by their activities. This push is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a movement to avert climate catastrophe and mass extinction.
Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University said: “Through its participation in this renowned global alliance, AU confirms its strong commitment to halting, preventing and reversing nature loss by addressing its own environmental impacts and restoring ecosystems affected by its activities”. He added: “AU has pledged to assess its biodiversity footprint to determine the most impactful initiatives to introduce and report on their progress by developing research, incorporating sustainability at the strategic level, and sharing case studies of its activities as a benchmark to other higher education institutions”.
Mr. Rabi Al Khofash, Chief Operating Officer of Ajman University said: “AU has a Climate and Sustainability strategy that aims for us to be carbon neutral and zero waste by 2030. The Nature Positive Universities Alliance can help us partner with other universities to achieve common goals towards a more sustainable future.”
The initiative launches with 111 universities from 44 different countries, who have made individual pledges to start a journey towards becoming nature positive. University pledges include four key elements: (a) carrying out baseline assessments; (b) setting specific, time limited and measurable targets for nature; (c) taking bold action to reduce biodiversity impacts, protect and restore species and ecosystems, while influencing others to do the same; and (d) following transparent process of annual reporting.
As per the information provided by the press release given by UN Environment Program (UNEP) on the occasion of launching this strategic alliance, the Nature Positive Universities Alliance is calling on other Universities worldwide to join its collaborative network and to make institutional pledges.
