The world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, according to Irena. Photo: EPA
The world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, according to Irena. Photo: EPA
The world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, according to Irena. Photo: EPA
The world is not on track to triple renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, according to Irena. Photo: EPA

World 'not on track to meet its renewables target'


Rachel Kelly
  • English
  • Arabic

The world is not on track to meet the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by the end of the decade, Francesco La Camera, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Speaking before Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Mr La Camera said that more action was needed to align policies and market design to favour renewables and an adjustment to trade tariffs could be needed.

Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, meanwhile said that the UAE Government will present an updated energy and water efficiency strategy for Abu Dhabi next week to set a blueprint for meeting the ambitious target.

ADSW, organised by clean energy leader Masdar, will start on Sunday and conclude on Saturday, January 18. This year, the sustainability summit is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants, with Masdar's chief, Mohamed Al Ramahi, saying the summit aims to build on its mission as a global platform to tackle the most pressing sustainability issues.

“This year, ADSW is set to reach even greater heights, as it receives 13 heads of state from around the world – including from Africa, Asia, and Europe,” he said. This year's event themed, “The Nexus of Next”, will also welcome over 50 ministers, more than 200 global chief executives, and participants representing 175 countries.

The World Future Energy Summit is close to doubling its female representation. Photo: ADSW
The World Future Energy Summit is close to doubling its female representation. Photo: ADSW

Women taking charge at global energy summit

The World Future Energy Summit will run from January 14-16. This year, the event is close to doubling the representation of female speakers. Last year, women accounted for 22 per cent of the speaker roster, this year that number has risen to about 40 per cent.

Leen AlSebai, general manager of RX Middle East and head of the summit, told The National that the industry has focused on female start-ups and entrepreneurs in innovation.

“We have a programme which is for the climate innovation exchange initiative,” said Ms AlSebai. “We decided to host female start-ups and entrepreneurs.” She added that representation is important because women are disproportionally affected by climate change, as women and girls make up 80 per cent of people displaced by climate change, according to the UN Environment Programme.

Now in its 17th year, participants will gather from across the globe to discuss the latest developments in energy and technology. The summit will also hone in on the region’s progress in urban development and the power of smart cities in its dedicated sustainable cities conference and exhibition.

The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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 five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Iraq negotiating over Iran sanctions impact
  • US sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and exports took effect on Monday, November 5.
  • Washington issued formal waivers to eight buyers of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue limited imports. Iraq did not receive a waiver.
  • Iraq’s government is cooperating with the US to contain Iranian influence in the country, and increased Iraqi oil production is helping to make up for Iranian crude that sanctions are blocking from markets, US officials say.
  • Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumped last month at a record 4.78 million barrels a day, former Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said on Oct. 20. Iraq exported 3.83 million barrels a day last month, according to tanker tracking and data from port agents.
  • Iraq has been working to restore production at its northern Kirkuk oil field. Kirkuk could add 200,000 barrels a day of oil to Iraq’s total output, Hook said.
  • The country stopped trucking Kirkuk oil to Iran about three weeks ago, in line with U.S. sanctions, according to four people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because they aren’t allowed to speak to media.
  • Oil exports from Iran, OPEC’s third-largest supplier, have slumped since President Donald Trump announced in May that he’d reimpose sanctions. Iran shipped about 1.76 million barrels a day in October out of 3.42 million in total production, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
  • Benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents to $72.70 a barrel in London trading at 7:26 a.m. local time. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 25 cents lower at $62.85 a barrel in New York. WTI held near the lowest level in seven months as concerns of a tightening market eased after the U.S. granted its waivers to buyers of Iranian crude.
Abramovich London

A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.

A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.

Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.

Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Continental champions

Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)

Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)

Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)

Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)

Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)

Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)

Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

 

 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

How to vote

Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.

They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi

Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday) 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

War and the virus
Updated: January 09, 2025, 6:04 PM`