Habiba Al Mar’ashi is potentially the UAE environmental movement's most recognizable figure. Back in 1991, Al Mar’ashi founded the UAE’s oldest and most established formal green organization, Emirates Environmental Group, which is devoted to protecting the environment through successful initiatives including nationwide recycling. Throughout her career, Al Mar’ashi has championed youth and empowered women to make an impact in their communities and nation.
“I have always believed that an Emirati woman stands for ambition and over the past years, we have witnessed how our women have led them from the forefront in every sector--from space exploration to environment management.”
Her impact has led to the yearly recycling of hundreds of tonnes of paper, plastic and metal that would otherwise go to landfills. While continuing to chair the organization she founded, Al Mar’ashi also actively serves in leadership roles in global bodies, including UN Global Compact (board member) and as president of the organization’s GCC Network, UNEP (civil society representative), Global Reporting Initiative Stakeholder Council (member), and the Advisory Committee of the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Certification Advisory Board for the Middle East (member).