Countries not taking part in the coming Cop28 global talks risk being left behind when it comes to the fight against climate change, said a leading UAE expert.
Ahmad Baharoon, executive director for environmental information and science and outreach management at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, told The National there must be collaboration and unity between nations over climate action.
A lack of unity between countries on the issue would only create problems, said Mr Baharoon.
If you are not part of the discussions at Cop28 there is absolutely a chance that you will be left behind
Ahmad Baharoon
“If you are not part of the discussions at Cop28 there is absolutely a chance that you will be left behind,” he said.
“You cannot be singing along outside of the herd, you need to be part of the group.
“If you are not part of Cop28 then you are not part of the outcome, you are not part of the decision.”
Cop28, the UN's climate change conference, takes place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
Education is key
Next month's event is not the only global climate event on the UAE's upcoming calendar. Abu Dhabi will host the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC 2024) from January 29 to February 2.
More than 3,000 people are expected to attend.
The congress, which is being organised by the Environment Agency, offers a vital opportunity to help educate young people on the importance of sustainability, said Mr Baharoon.
“There needs to be greater awareness among young people about the need to protect the planet for the survival of humanity,” he said.
“We all have a role to play in protecting our planet. Not just in the UAE or the UN, every person in every country has a duty.”
The issue of sustainability is especially pertinent in the UAE, not only because the country is hosting Cop28 at the end of next month.
President Sheikh Mohamed declared 2023 to be the Year of Sustainability in January.
“The need to act now is more pressing than ever,” said Eisa Al Subousi, project lead at the Year of Sustainability.
“Cop28 is an excellent opportunity for the world to gather and discuss the global environmental challenges and come up with impactful solutions, and for all those who call the UAE home, to learn first-hand about how their collective actions – big and small – can contribute to a better tomorrow for our planet.
“Events such as the World Environmental Education Congress are important in that they are bringing together academics, students and people from all over the world to develop educational programmes focusing on sustainable development, thus preparing the next generation for a sustainable future, which is in line with the UAE’s vision.”
Rooted in culture
Sustainability is a practice that has always been part of the Emirates' make-up, he added.
“Sustainability has always been a deeply-rooted value within the UAE’s heritage, and this is something we aim to remind and instil in the public, for future generations to come,” said Mr Al Subousi.
“Our ancestors were sustainable out of necessity and care for their land. From fresh water in wells to fishing for their food, they've used only what they needed.
“To be the best ancestors to our future generations, just like our ancestors were to us, we need to take action today – individually and collectively.”
Earlier this month The National reported how the UAE's focus on climate issues was beginning to pay off as one of the country's leading universities, Zayed University, was experiencing a surge in students studying sustainability.
Call for collaboration
Collaboration was the only way challenges could be overcome said another expert, who added Cop28 was the perfect opportunity to kick-start the fight against climate change.
However, that would only happen if everyone approached it with an open mind, said Ivano Iannelli, senior adviser for sustainability at Emirates Global Aluminium.
“Collaboration is the only way forward. Not a single one of us has a silver bullet that will fix these problems on their own,” he said.
Complaining about Cop28 being held in the UAE, an oil-producing country is also unhelpful in solving climate issues, added Mr Iannelli.
A letter was signed earlier this year by a number of members of the US Congress and the European Parliament calling for the influence of oil and gas lobbyists to be curbed at this year's climate talks.
However, it was unrealistic to expect the challenges around sustainability to be overcome without the input of all stakeholders, said Mr Iannelli.
“Cop28 being held in an oil-producing country is the beginning of change,” he said.
“We all need to accept we have to be out of our comfort zones.
“Inviting high emitters to the table is part of the solution, it's as simple as that.”
Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
