Sheikha Shamma opens collective to drive climate action through stories
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan, founder of The Climate Tribe, opened the project's first physical home – The Climate Tribe Hub – this week.
Tucked away in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the interactive space serves as a gathering point for climate storytelling, sustainable design, and hands-on workshops.
Every detail, from tables made of date seeds to furniture woven from palm fibres, reflects the UAE's local materials and artisanal heritage.
'When we created the hub, we didn't want it to be a static space,' said Hind Al Ghseen, executive director of The Climate Tribe. 'We wanted the community to build it – to be part of it. We sought out local makers and brought them together.'
A lifetime of work
Sheikha Shamma is a passionate climate activist. 'It started for me when I was a student at Zayed University,' she told a room of climate advocates this week. 'My parents decided to go on a humanitarian trip to Mogadishu – I went with them. It was my first time witnessing the impact of a drought on a population.'
That experience left a lasting mark. 'While studying business, I realised our economic models were missing something fundamental – the environmental cost. That moment changed everything for me.'
Her other organisation, the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), focuses on policy and corporate alliances, but the Climate Tribe was designed to bring the conversation to a more personal, accessible level. 'It provides the human element,' she says.
Global ambition with local heart
Since its founding in 2023, The Climate Tribe has mobilised more than 2,200 people through grassroots initiatives, from tree-planting drives to recycling campaigns.
In total, the group has helped plant 921 trees and divert more than 8,600kg of waste from landfill. Its blend of digital and physical tools – including workshops, tool kits and editorial storytelling – is designed to inspire both behavioural change and systemic action.
According to Ms Al Ghseen, the launch of the hub represents a shift from online engagement to real-world collaboration.
'The Climate Tribe Hub is a true reflection of our values,' she said. 'From the materials chosen to the storytelling woven into every corner, it celebrates Emirati heritage and community craftsmanship.'
Initially, the team looked beyond the UAE for climate stories. 'We were even planning to film in London,' Ms Al Ghseen said. 'But then we realised the UAE was full of untold stories – humble, impactful, and often overlooked. Sustainability here isn't always commercial. It's deeply personal.'
The Climate Tribe's mission remains global – to bring international stories to local audiences and elevate UAE voices on the world stage. But at its heart, the aim is constant: to amplify hope, resilience, and solutions.
When asked whether she believes the world is progressing quickly enough on climate, Sheikha Shamma didn't hesitate.
'No,' she said. 'There's still too much fragmentation. We live in a world of limited resources – we can't afford to be siloed. We need collaboration more than ever.'
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