SABIS YAS ISLAND - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2027 - Carbon Sequestration System

[00:00:00]We are the hybrid carbon sequestration team from Sabas Island. Our proposed hybrid carbon sequestration project consists of four main parts. First, opportunity. Why did we think of this idea and why did we specifically choose schools? Second, the science. What goes on behind the scenes of our project?

[00:00:16]What calculations did we use? Why did we choose certain materials? Third, the system. How did we connect two completely separate projects and make it into one whole cohesive one? Four, the impact and the plan. How are we going to impact our community? What do we hope to do with our project? And how are we going to do it?

[00:00:33]>> The opportunity. Schools consume energy every day. Yet, they have the potential to do much more than simply reduce their impact. By transforming schools into living laboratories, students can move beyond studying climate change in textbooks and become part of the solution. In doing so, schools can contribute to the UAE's net zero 2050 vision while inspiring a generation of environmentally responsible leaders. So now we're going to be discussing the science behind our project. To start with, our project begins with the cultivation of the biomass of algae and turning it into a fertilizer. Now why did we choose algae specifically? Very simply, the reason is that algae captures carbon 10 to 30 times faster and more efficiently than terrestrial plants. So what happens is we take the biomass which contains approximately 50% carbon by weight and we will turn it into a fertilizer and this fertilizer will then will be used to grow the mangrove trees. Now you might be wondering why did we choose mangroves?

[00:01:34]Well, we chose them for a very specific property known as blue carbon storage.

[00:01:38]Basically mangroves grow in oxygen poor or anorobic soils where decomposition is virtually stopped. carbon stays locked for hundreds to thousands of years in the roots of the mangrove. Additionally, the UAE is already a global leader in mangrove restoration.

[00:01:54]>> So, now we talk about our system and how our bioreactor boxes work. This is a 3D model that we coded, so it's not fully accurate. First, we're going to start with the rooftop photobiioactor boxes on the school campus. Basically, we have four boxes made out of a clear acrylic enclosure, which allows us to securely maintain and isolate the algae cultures.

[00:02:14]Inside, we use LED grow lights and nutrient-enriched water to provide all the essential materials and nutrients the algae needs to grow. Once we harvest the biomass, it leaves the campus and goes directly into the harvest tank.

[00:02:28]From there, it passes through a converter where it is processed and turned into an organic fertilizer.

[00:02:34]Finally, that organic fertilizer goes all the way to the mangrove nursery at our coastal partner site. This is where the mangroves do the heavy lifting, storing the carbon and permanently trapping it deep within the anaobic sediment.

[00:02:47]>> In this side, I'm going to be talking about the carbon loop. It all starts with algae, absorbing carbon dioxide from its environment. Um, then we harvest the biomass. This biomass can be turned into an organic fertilizer, which then can be very useful for the growth of mangroves. Here we have a mangrove nursery 50 50 to 100 samplings each.

[00:03:05]Each sampling can store carbon for centuries due to their wet soil conditions and stores it deep in their sediment. Now I'll be talking about the impact and plan. Our algae system captures around 54 kg of carbon dioxide per year while our mangrove nursery captures approximately 500 kg. Together that's about 550 kg of carbon dioxide captured annually. What's exciting is the scalability. One school can capture around 550 kg but if adopted by 100 schools that grows to approximately 55 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This slide shows our implementation road map.

[00:03:36]First we install the algae bioreactor with support from students, maintenance staff and teachers. Students then cultivate the algae, monitor sensors, harvest the biomass, and convert it into organic fertilizer. Finally, we track carbon capture, plant growth, and water quality to measure the project's impact.

[00:03:51]The project can be completed in about 15 weeks with the help of staff and students. Our solution is designed to grow over time. It is studentdriven with each cohort training the next, making it sustainable in the long term. The project can expand yearly by adding more bioreactor systems and community initiatives, creating a ripple effect beyond one school. The UAE is the ideal place for this model as its strong sustainability goals and mangrove restoration efforts align with this country's net zero 2050 vision. We believe that our hybrid carbon sequestration project should win because it proves that schools can be active high impact climate solutions right now.

[00:04:29]By pairing simple natural algae systems with mangrove growth, we've created a continuous cycle that aggressively captures carbon. But the real breakthrough, it runs on student innovation. We aren't just using technology. We are bringing together an entire generation of hands-on engineers and scientists. So choose us because we aren't just pitching a carbon solution.