There is only one month to go before Cop28 and if that is not enough to focus attention on the climate emergency, then the latest science is.
Research published this month showed major ice melt in west Antarctica is inevitable, putting some coastal cities in danger of being abandoned and endangers the livelihoods of communities around the globe.
And it will happen, scientists believe, no matter what cuts are made to warming emissions.
“If that’s the case, it will be profoundly damaging for the world,” said Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at the London School of Economics.
“And is going to put at risk tens, if not hundreds of millions, of people who live around the world’s coastlines.”
It is the latest report in a year of boiling temperatures and extreme weather events that scientists believe are linked to climate change.
Against this backdrop, global leaders will meet from November 30 to December 12 to tackle the crisis.
With a month to go, can the crucial talks forge a global deal on adapting to a changing climate, scale up finance and agree on who should pay for the damages?
The global backdrop to the crucial talks
This year, the world has boiled. Earth has experienced the warmest month on record, the UN said, and it could potentially experience the hottest year ever.
Extreme weather events from droughts to floods are wreaking havoc around the world.
Experts now believe the world is on track to break the key 1.5°C threshold enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, with the UN warning it could be headed for about 2.5°C. Long-term warming currently stands at about 1.1°C or 1.2°C compared with pre-industrial levels.
“We are in more danger than we realise,” said Mr Ward.
“That’s the background to these talks and that’s why the slow pace of action is such a concern. It is worse for the poorer people because they are the ones who are least able to protect themselves.”
A Middle East warming even faster
The situation is even more fraught in the Middle East.
Under extreme scenarios, the region could experience warming of more than 5°C, scientists believe, resulting in heat-related health issues, sandstorms, extreme humidity, higher desertification and more frequent cyclones, such as this month's Cyclone Tej.
“Climate change presents unique challenges to the Gulf Arab states,” noted Aisha Al Sarihi, research fellow on policy and politics of climate and environment at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.
She said temperatures in the summer are approaching “limits for human survival”.
Warming and rising seas in the Arabian Gulf also pose threats.
“On the marine front, the rising temperatures in the Arabian Gulf are leading to the bleaching of corals and oxygen loss, both of which are detrimental to the health of the Gulf's marine ecosystem and its biodiversity,” said Zouhair Lachkar, senior scientist at New York University – Abu Dhabi.
“Furthermore, the rising sea levels pose a threat to low-lying coastal urban areas in the region and put critical infrastructure at risk.”
Fossil fuels: phase down or phase out?
The talks are expected to be dominated by the “global stocktake”, an assessment of how the world is measuring up to the Paris deal.
But also on the switch to green energy, cutting emissions and scaling up climate finance including the thorny issue of loss and damage. But a sticking point could be fossil fuels, which are the main cause of warming emissions.
“Now this is going to be difficult,” said Mr Ward. “But fossil fuel producers are as exposed to the impacts of climate change as fossil fuel consumers.”
Despite the criticism the UAE has received over its role as an energy supplier, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President-designate, said he believed “phasing down demand for and supply of all fossil fuels is inevitable and essential”.
Mr Ward said there was a “lot of attention” on phase down or phase out. But “phase down is better than nothing”. What will be agreed to at Cop28 remains to be seen but the energy system is changing.
The most recent report from the International Energy Agency predicted renewables would provide half of the world's electricity by 2030.
But it warned emissions were still too high to prevent breaching the Paris goals and investment in fossil fuels needed to be reduced.
“While wealth served the Gulf countries to sustain their economic growth, it has also supported the Gulf countries to weather the impacts of climate change,” noted Ms Al Sarihi.
“The looming peak oil demand resulting from advanced climate mitigation measures and the vulnerability to oil prices fluctuations is of a particular concern for the Gulf producers, because transitioning away from fossil fuels will limit the bandwidth for economic diversification, as well as the countries’ ability to adapt and recover from the impacts of climate change.”
Developed countries must set the tone
Last year's Cop27 resulted in the establishment of a so-called loss and damage fund to help countries cope with climate disasters. How the fund works was left to be decided at Cop28.
But the debate exposed the fissure between wealthier countries, who are also often the worst emitters, and poorer nations that frequently bear the brunt of climate change without emitting as much.
“Rich countries have a moral duty to set a good example and, frankly, they are not,” said Mr Ward, stating the UK had set a “very bad example” on weakening some key policies, such as delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035.
He said the technology, such as the huge growth in electric vehicle batteries and solar panels, was coming through quickly, but this was being held back by lethargic government policies.
“It used to be that Cops were important for persuading business to move more quickly,” he said.
“But now many businesses are ahead of their governments and desperate for them to provide stronger and clearer policies.”
What would be a good Cop28 outcome?
The Cop process is consensus driven. This can make the talks contentious, time-consuming and often fraught as one country holding out can derail the entire outcome.
But experts believe the UAE can seize the opportunity.
“Cop28 will create further momentum for the Gulf states to advance their climate action ambitions and climate policy implementation,” said Ms Al Sarihi.
She said she expected the Cop28 presidency to put water, food security and climate finance at the top of the agenda and to reach a “consensus between parties” on accelerating an energy transition that supports a “gradual phase out” of fossil fuels and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.
She added the UAE would want to leave a “legacy on climate finance” that can bridge the gap between developed and developing countries.
“Realising the target of $100 billion annually from developed to developing countries will be the tone and legacy of this year’s Cop,” she said, referring the so far unfulfilled climate finance pledge.
Dr Lachkar said a good outcome should also include the development and sharing of concrete adaptation strategies, especially for more vulnerable regions.
He also called for a focus on nature-based solutions and “individuals can make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint, supporting sustainable practices and advocating for climate action”.
The talks are scheduled to finish on December 12, and while they are often forced into overtime, the world will soon find out what has been delivered to tackle climate change.
“But one thing is certain,” noted Mr Ward. “The window of opportunity is closing. There is no room for dithering.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FIXTURES
Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)
Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Fight card
- Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (Nigeria) beat Artid Vamrungauea (Thailand) POINTS
- Julaidah Abdulfatah (Saudi Arabia) beat Martin Kabrhel (Czech Rep) POINTS
- Kem Ljungquist (Denmark) beat Mourad Omar (Egypt) TKO
- Michael Lawal (UK) beat Tamas Kozma (Hungary) KO
- Zuhayr Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) beat Mohammed Mahmoud (UK) POINTS
- Darren Surtees (UK) beat Kane Baker (UK) KO
- Chris Eubank Jr (UK) beat JJ McDonagh (Ireland) TKO
- Callum Smith (UK) beat George Groves (UK) KO
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
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THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 Southampton 1
Everton: Walcott (15'), Richarlison (31' )
Southampton: Ings (54')
Man of the match: Theo Walcott (Everton)
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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UAE SQUAD
Ahmed Raza (Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Jonathan Figy, CP Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Usman, Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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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STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
