HE Dr. Al Dahak:
- The theme reflects the UAE President’s vision of the family as a strategic driver of sustainability and reaffirms the Founding Father’s values of preserving resources.
- Climate action begins at home, where everyday choices shape environmental outcomes.
- The Ministry is shifting from legislation to community empowerment through the Practical Guide to Sustainable Living.
- All segments of society and the private sector are invited to join the national environmental movement and its initiatives.
Subheadings:
- Reflecting the Founding Father’s legacy and the UAE President’s vision, the new theme presents an Emirati model that places the family at the centre of development and environmental action.
- The theme “Sustainable Future Starts with Family” defines sustainability as a core national value and a strategic pathway to achieving net zero.
- The Practical Guide to Sustainable Living has been launched in Arabic and English as a roadmap for families, covering 7 key areas, and is available for download online.
- A four-month nation-wide programme of intensive environmental events will engage all sectors, culminating in World Environment Day on 5 June 2026.
Dubai, UAE, 4 February 2026: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced “Sustainable Future Starts with Family” as the official theme for the 29th National Environment Day 2026. This aligns with the vision of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who declared 2026 the Year of Family and underscores the central role of the family in supporting efforts towards environmental and climate sustainability.
The theme aims to strengthen the role of the community in sustainability by recognising the family as a strategic partner in achieving the nation’s environmental and climate objectives. As the primary incubator of values and a central influence on consumption patterns and behaviours towards natural resources, the family plays a key role in advancing the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
The Family: A Strategic Partner in Sustainability:
Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said that the theme of the National Environment Day reflects the vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who positions the family at the centre of national development by declaring 2026 as the Year of Family. This approach draws on the enduring legacy of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made sustainability a way of life long before it became a global commitment.
Her Excellency said: “We believe that climate and environmental action does not begin in meeting rooms, it begins at home. Major environmental outcomes are the result of the everyday decisions made by families. Every conscious effort to reduce consumption, preserve resources, or plant a seedling may seem modest, yet its impact extends far beyond the household. These actions contribute to reducing emissions and safeguarding natural resources. They represent a genuine commitment to raising awareness among present and future generations, empowering families to take a central role as strategic partners in advancing sustainability.”
HE added: “The Ministry’s role extends beyond policy and legislation to active community empowerment. We provide families with the essential knowledge and practical tools they need and equipe them with the behaviours and skills crucial for achieving net zero, protecting the environment, and advancing nature conservation.”
Her Excellency called on government entities, private sector institutions, and civil society to unify their efforts and embrace the theme “Sustainable Future Starts with Family”. HE emphasised the importance of fostering institutional and societal cultures that support this approach, enabling the UAE to present an inspiring national model to the world. Social cohesion and environmental awareness are intrinsically linked, forming the foundation for national prosperity and the sustainable stewardship of resources.
Firm Foundations and Global Leadership
The Ministry affirmed that the new theme of National Environment Day draws from the enduring legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He anticipated global sustainability priorities, establishing it as a core value and a natural way of life, grounded in respect for nature and the rights of future generations. He emphasised that environmental protection is not a luxury but a matter of responsibility and long-term survival.
This year’s theme for the National Environment Day embodies the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who introduced a unique Emirati approach to environmental and climate-focused development. Under his leadership, the nation has achieved several key milestones that extend beyond the UAE’s borders, significantly contributing to global environmental, developmental, and climate initiatives. This commitment helps build a sustainable future for communities around the world.
The UAE has established its global leadership in this field, built on a strong domestic foundation focused on the family and the individual. His Highness’s vision aims to make social stability the driving force behind developmental and environmental progress. By declaring 2026 as the Year of Family, the UAE underscores its leadership in proposing innovative solutions. It emphasises that achieving significant goals, such as reaching Net Zero, starts with empowering the fundamental unit of society, the family. This positions the family as the true engine of change and a crucial partner in the journey towards sustainable development.
Launching the Practical Guide to Sustainable Living
In celebration of National Environment Day, MOCCAE has launched the Practical Guide to Sustainable Living, a comprehensive resource designed for families across the UAE. This guide serves as a green household charter, providing a detailed roadmap along with practical tips and behavioural advice in seven key lifestyle areas covering food consumption, energy and water, waste management and disposal, home gardening, lifestyle adjustments, sustainable mobility, and maintaining a healthy environment.
“Sustainability…the Legacy of Forefathers and the Path of Future Generations”
The environmental behaviours promoted by National Environment Day are not new concepts in Emirati society, rather, they serve to revive the authentic values of Sanaa that guided the lives of our ancestors. Traditional Emirati households exemplified sustainability, where the idea of waste was practically non-existent. Every resource was utilised efficiently from the palm tree, which provided materials for various uses, to the careful preservation of water and food, both considered blessings. Today, National Environment Day aims to bring this cultural heritage back to life, presenting it in a modern context and ensuring that environmental stewardship is a fundamental part of the national identity for every family living in the UAE.
A Nationwide Programme Spanning Four Months of Environmental Action
The Ministry has announced that this year’s National Environment Day is not a one-off event but the start of a comprehensive season lasting four months, culminating in World Environment Day on June 5. The season will feature a variety of interactive activities and field initiatives to integrate sustainable practices into everyday life.
These include the ‘Sustainable Emirati Family Challenge, ‘A Tree for Every Family,’ and ‘A Waste-Free Holiday.’ The Ministry will engage various family groups and community members in these activities to help them develop sustainable awareness, skills, and behaviours.
MOCCAE has urged all members of society to actively participate in these activities, with more details to be announced in the coming period. The Ministry also encouraged members of the community to engage positively with the various parallel programmes and events organised by federal and local government entities, as well as private sector institutions across all emirates. This is to ensure that environmental action becomes a collective national effort, with complementary roles that work together to achieve the desired goals.
