The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has unveiled “Sustainable Future Starts with Family” as the official theme for the UAE’s 29th National Environment Day in 2026, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to placing households at the centre of climate and environmental action.
The theme aligns with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who designated 2026 as the Year of Family, and highlights families as essential partners in achieving national environmental goals and advancing the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the theme reflects a national approach that recognises the family as the foundation of sustainable development, drawing inspiration from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who championed environmental stewardship as a way of life.
She emphasised that climate and environmental responsibility begins at home, where daily choices related to consumption, energy use and resource conservation shape long-term environmental outcomes and influence future generations.
Al Dahak noted that the ministry’s role extends beyond policy and legislation to empowering communities with practical knowledge and tools that enable families to contribute meaningfully to net zero ambitions, nature protection and environmental conservation.
The minister also called on government entities, private sector organisations and civil society to adopt the theme and embed family-centred sustainability into institutional and social culture, fostering a unified national model that connects social cohesion with environmental responsibility.
To support the initiative, MOCCAE launched the Practical Guide to Sustainable Living, a comprehensive resource offering guidance across seven lifestyle areas, including food consumption, energy and water use, waste management, home gardening, sustainable mobility, lifestyle choices and maintaining a healthy environment. The guide is available in both Arabic and English to ensure broad community access.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
