Record melting of the world’s glaciers has led to sea level rises globally, putting the Middle East under threat from storm surges, climate experts have told The National.
In 2023, glaciers suffered “alarming” record ice losses due to global warming, with the Alps losing 10 per cent of their volume over the past two years, Europe’s latest climate report reveals.
Last year's European State of the Climate report, published today by the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organisation, reveals Europe had its second hottest year on record and suffered fewer days of snow.
Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus, told The National glaciers lost up to 20 per cent more water than any other year and warns that it will have consequences globally.
She said the ice loss has led to record sea level rises, resulting in much larger storm surges, which endanger areas at or below sea level.
Glaciers around the world saw a record annual loss of ice, at around 600 gigatonnes of water – 100 gigatonnes more than any other year on record, and equivalent to almost five times the amount of ice contained in all the glaciers in central Europe.
Estimates indicate that this ice loss has contributed 1.7mm to sea level rise - the largest annual contribution on record.
“Glaciers across all Europe saw a net loss of ice in 2023 and the Alps in particular saw exceptional ice loss linked to below average winter snow and strong summer melt due to heatwaves and high temperatures,” she said.
“Around the world, we saw a record of annual mass loss of 1.1 metre of ice thickness with regional ice losses between half a metre to three metres depending on where they are and the heatwaves.
“Glaciers losing ice directly impacts sea level rise and in 2023 we saw the largest contribution of sea level rise from glaciers losing their mass than we have ever seen since we have had satellites. It’s not good.
“When we look globally most of our cities are by the sea. Sea level rises lead to storm surges and Spring tides being metres higher than they have ever been historically. If you are in a Pacific Island nation or the Middle East it is really hard to appreciate that something that happens in mountains with glaciers around the world impacts you directly but it does.
“The world should be worried.”
Record-breaking rainfall
The report reveals that Europe saw its highest number of wet days on average with 7 per cent more rain and catastrophic flooding last year, with Turkey experiencing record-breaking rainfall and flooding killing eight people.
Ms Burgess says extreme weather events like last week’s severe floods in the UAE will undoubtedly happen again until the world reaches net zero.
“We will still see extreme events this year, we have just seen Dubai having record precipitation and we know that it is because the atmosphere is warmer, it holds more moisture which leads to more intense rainfall events,” she said.
“Undoubtedly it could happen again. We cannot predict when and where, it was a really unusual meteorological event."
She said landscapes and infrastructure will need to be adapted to mitigate the impact of floods.
Weather and climate-related economic losses in 2023 are estimated at more than €13.4 billion globally.
According to preliminary estimates for 2023 from the International Disaster Database, last year in Europe, 63 lives were lost due to storms, 44 to floods and 44 to wildfires.
Last year, river flows across Europe were also the highest on record for December, with ‘exceptionally high’ flow in almost a quarter of the network.
Temperatures in Europe were above average for 11 months of the year, including the warmest September on record.
'Insane and crazy' extreme weather
“The key message for me is that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at twice the global average rate,” Ms Burgess said.
“The three warmest years on record have all occurred since 2020. Europe in 2023 saw a huge number of records, a record portion of people affected by heat stress, sea level rises, melting of glaciers and all of these impacts do not just stay in Europe but they have a global footprint.
“We also saw a huge number of extreme events which we know are likely to become more frequent and more intense due to climate change so until we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero we will continue to see climate reports like the one we have just published with records being broken all the time and crazy, insane, events impacting people both in Europe and around the world.”
Her warnings have been echoed by Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation.
“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our generation,” she said.
“The cost of climate action may seem high, but the cost of inaction is much higher. As this report shows, we need to leverage science to provide solutions for the good of society.”
With extreme events increasing, one positive outcome has been a record proportion of electricity generation through renewables in Europe.
Last year 43 per cent of electricity was generated through renewables, compared to 36 per cent in 2022.
For the second year in a row, energy generation from renewables overtook the generation from polluting fossil fuels.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23
Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3
Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
Kandahar%20
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The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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