The carbon emissions of large companies are to be tracked and monitored in a key initiative being introduced by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD).
The international standard carbon Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) programme will require all centres that produce large amounts of carbon emissions to submit reports on an annual basis from 2026. To ensure transparency, the environment agency has mandated that the submissions must be verified by a third party.
Dr Shaikha Al Dhaheri, secretary general of EAD, said the programme will support Abu Dhabi's commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 22 per cent by 2027.
In the lead-up to the Cop29 climate talks held last month in Azerbaijan, the UAE was one of the first to release new National Determined Contributions (NDCs), setting a target of reducing emissions by 47 per cent by 2035 compared to the 2019 baseline.
Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, highlighted that the MRV systems play a critical role in providing accurate data “to track carbon emissions, ensure transparency, build trust, and drive effective climate action”.
Lowering emissions in hard to abate sectors
Carbon intensive industries such as shipping, aviation, iron and steel, and chemicals and petrochemicals are known as hard to abate sectors because of the difficulty these sectors face in reducing their carbon intensity.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, these sectors alone account for approximately one-quarter of the world's energy consumption and about one-fifth of total Co2 emissions.
Abdulnasser bin Kalban, chief executive of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), said the initiative will support his organisation to meet “evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining transparency and auditability” of emissions data throughout the value chain.
“This tool is an important step in achieving our bold aspiration of embedding sustainability in everything we do and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Mr bin Kalban.
Implementing carbon pricing
The EAD said significant strides have been made towards the possibility of implementing carbon pricing mechanisms, which traditionally form the basis for carbon emissions to either be taxed or to be offset via trading in an effort to push toward lower-carbon economies.
Research by the EAD indicates that establishing a domestic carbon pricing system will assist industries in Abu Dhabi with decarbonisation, especially in sectors with high emissions. The MRV programme is designed to enable precise tracking of greenhouse gas emissions, providing the foundation for an effective carbon pricing mechanism.
The strategy aims to generate reliable data that meets global climate requirements like those defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and supports the outcomes of the UAE Consensus adopted at Cop28.
Clearing up carbon markets
A major milestone achieved during the Cop29 climate talks in Baku, was the progress made on carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – which had been at a stalemate for close to a decade. The decision out of Azerbaijan means that there is now clarity on how carbon markets will operate under the Paris Agreement, making country to country trading possible.
Article 6 of the 2015 Paris Agreement outlines the framework for countries to engage in voluntary co-operation to achieve climate goals. This provision allows nations to transfer carbon credits earned through emissions reductions to help meet their climate targets, according to the UNFCCC.
Dr Aseel A Takshe, chairwoman of the Department of Public Health at Canadian University Dubai told The National that while the passing of Article 6 is a major milestone with several important implications related to implementation – “its ultimate effectiveness will depend on robust implementation, stringent quality controls, and continued co-operation between governments and the private sector”.
“Many aspects of Article 6 are still being negotiated, with discussions expected to continue through 2026,” said Dr Aseel.
Deutsche Bank Private Bank’s Markus Mueller said that if structured well, carbon trading markets can be part of the solution. “A UN backed market would be fundamental for creating a truly global and efficient market, addressing the issues we have seen with voluntary frameworks over the past 10 years. This would provide, not only governments but also private companies, the needed confidence around the credibility of this market, fostering its growth.”
Research by Morgan Stanley has shown that the voluntary carbon-offsets market is expected to grow from about $2 billion in 2022 to about $100 billion in 2030 and about $250 billion by 2050.
Still, KPMG's Mr Somani said that while there is still work to be done to create greater corporate demand, “a significant uptick in carbon market transactions is expected over the coming years, potentially unlocking a substantial source of climate finance to support both developing and developed countries”.
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 five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
MO
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DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Mobile phone packages comparison
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
RECORD%20BREAKER
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
