The UN’s annual climate summit, Cop27, has formally opened in Egypt.
More than 120 world leaders plan to attend the crucial event in Sharm El Sheikh.
The summit comes at a critical moment with the world regularly experiencing extreme weather events linked to climate change.
Cop27 began with a speech by Cop26 president Alok Sharma to mark the formal handover to Egypt.
Entire regions are becoming unlivable and we must find the ability to focus on more than one thing at once. Inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe
Alok Sharma,
Cop 26 President
Two key areas on the agenda are trying to keep alive the Paris goal of limiting warming to 1.5ºC from pre-industrial levels, and the issue of finance.
Mr Sharma said the world is still not on track regarding the 1.5ºC limit, despite making progress amid a challenging geopolitical environment.
“How many wake-up calls does the world need?” asked Mr Sharma. “Entire regions are becoming unlivable [and] we must find the ability to focus on more than one thing at once. Inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe.”
He pointed to the Pakistan floods this year and drought in China as evidence that the world needs to act. He also urged more progress on finance that he said could “make or break” the programme ahead.
Mr Sharma said Cop27 had to be about “concrete action”.
“I hope world leaders explain clearly what countries have achieved [since Cop26] and go further. It is a matter of trust. I remain hopeful.”
This was followed by a speech from Cop27 president Sameh Shoukry.
He said the series of Cop summits have been “a continuous journey that has proven useful year after year. We are now more aware of the danger that threatens us … and understand better what we need to do.”
“We are determined to continue on this path. This is a defining moment and a distinguished landmark on a long road," Mr Shoukry said.
Referring to the lack of adequate action to combat climate change, he warned: “Continuing in this manner without a drastic change will have grave consequences that will be befall future generations … we are still facing gaps that continue to widen in efforts to stop rising temperatures and take measures to adjust to it or making funds available.”
Broken pledges
He also complained that the deal for $100 billion a year — pledged by rich nations in Copenhagen in 2009 — “did not find its way to implementation.”
“We cannot continue like this,” he said.
On a positive note, he lauded what he called “unprecedented leaps” in the use of renewable energy in recent years and growing societal awareness, especially among young people, of the need to effectively deal with climate change.
In a message on Facebook, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi wrote: “These dangers and challenges require swift actions from all countries to lay down a road map for salvation that protects the world from climate change.
“Egypt is looking for this conference to emerge from the stage of promises to the stage of execution, with concrete measures on the ground that build on what we already have; the resolutions of the Glasgow summit and the Paris agreement.”
The opening ceremony also included remarks from the UN's new climate change chief, Simon Stiell; and Hoesung Lee, chair of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which assesses the science related to climate change.
Early agreement damage funding for small nations
Cop27 started with something of a win after a loss and damage funding was added to the summit's agenda for the first time, after a 30-year wait.
This item was initially brought up by small island states to help deal with the devastating effects of climate change, but was shut down by wealthier nations.
Climate funding so far has focused on cutting carbon dioxide emissions in an effort to curb climate change, while about a third of it has gone toward projects to help communities adapt to future impacts.
Loss and damage funding would be different, in compensating costs that countries can't avoid or "adapt" to.
During Cop26 in Glasgow last year, it was agreed there would be a dialogue surrounding the funding, but it is now going to be discussed in Sharm El Sheikh.
There is no agreement yet over what should count as "loss and damage" in climate disasters.
A June report by 55 vulnerable countries estimated their combined climate-linked losses over the last two decades totalled about $525 billion, or about 20 per cent of their collective GDP.
Intense talks
The summit begins in earnest on Monday when world leaders arrive at the summit for two days of intense talks. They will also deliver addresses to the event.
After they leave on Wednesday, their negotiators will try to reach agreement on several issues over the next two weeks.
Finance is particularly divisive. Developing countries want “loss and damage” money — to fund the effects of climate change rather than prepare for its consequences — up for discussion.
Many reports released over the past months have questioned the viability of keeping the 1.5ºC target alive. One, the UN's emissions gap report, said there was no “no credible pathway” to doing so.
Egypt has said it wants this summit to be about implementation of existing climate pledges — particularly those made in Paris in 2015 at Cop21.
Global tensions such as the Ukraine war and soaring inflation are set to make this a particularly challenging summit.
Cop27 will run until November 16.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):
Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
