A consensus is developing that using less energy by using it more efficiently may be the least painful way to reduce carbon emissions - everywhere, that is, except the Gulf.
A new survey released this week by Accenture, the global management consulting firm, has found that two-thirds of Arabic-speaking consumers in Gulf states have little interest in using less energy. That is despite the desire expressed by 90 per cent of the survey participants for their respective countries to reduce reliance on oil and gas-fired power generation.
Instead, nine out of ten consumers want more government intervention to combat energy challenges, according to the survey, which was conducted in Arabic and covered Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman and Kuwait.
"We cannot address climate change unless we both create new sources of clean energy and reduce consumer demand," said Omar Boulos, the managing director of Accenture, Middle East. "But our survey shows that consumers do not think lower energy use is a priority."
"It will take many years before renewable alternatives come fully on stream. Until they do, governments and energy companies will have to find creative ways to transform consumer habits and improve energy efficiency," he said.
The survey of GCC consumers, which was part of Accenture's broader New Energy World survey, also identified "reducing carbon emissions" as the primary reason respondents picked for reducing fossil fuel reliance. However, twice as many respondents picked "developing low carbon sources of energy" over "using less energy" as the priority solution.
They also overwhelmingly rejected the suggestion that consumers should be required to pay more for energy in order to curb consumption.
Consumers in the GCC were more likely than in other parts of the world to trust energy companies to address energy challenges, but 60 per cent of respondents said they would only do so if there was direction from government.
Two thirds of survey participants from Gulf states said more government intervention was "certainly" required in the energy market, compared with 45 per cent globally, while 90 per cent of GCC respondents thought there should "probably" or "certainly" be more government intervention.
Two thirds of the Gulf respondents also thought that nuclear power would be needed to reduce the region's carbon emissions, indicating significantly higher support for nuclear development than in the West.
On average, GCC respondents estimated that renewable power already accounted for 11 per cent of power generation in the Gulf region, and thought this should be increased to 28 per cent.
In fact, renewable power accounts for a negligible proportion of the region's electricity supply.
The Abu Dhabi Government has contemplated setting a target of 7 per cent for power generation from renewable energy sources, but has yet to announce this as part of a promised energy master plan for the emirate.
Pic courtesy of Pöllö
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
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Specs
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind