Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28
An enterprising Emirati who was part of a UAE programme shaping the nation's leaders of tomorrow has won government backing for a green project aimed at driving down the public's carbon footprint.
The UAE Environmental Identity app is the brainchild of National Experts Programme fellow Abdulla Al Remeithi, who is on a mission to help residents make more sustainable choices for the good of the planet.
The cutting-edge tool has been launched by the National Experts Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
It was unveiled on Sunday at an event attended by Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, at the Cop28 climate summit being held at Expo City Dubai.
Ms Al Mheiri also acts as a mentor for the National Experts initiative.
Mr Al Remeithi, who serves as director for environmental policy, regulation and climate change at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and is a sustainability ambassador for the UAE, said the app would be linked to the UAE Pass online platform and would monitor day-to-day activities that generate greenhouse gases.
Users will also be able to examine their impact on the environment in order to adopt greener behaviours.
“We will be calculating the personal carbon footprint of every individual – their water consumption, electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicles. This will manage emissions and support projects that reduce carbon footprint," he said.
“We want to introduce incentives that will promote the reduction of water, gas and energy consumption. Incentives will come in the form of green points.”
Mr Al Remeithi developed the concept while participating in the National Experts Programme, which was established in January 2019 by President Sheikh Mohammed, in his previous capacity as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to tap into the country's existing knowledge base to support the next generation of decision-makers.
“The aim is for this to be a global model. Our planet is in a climate crisis and we need effective solutions today,” he said.
“This national project is a crucial cornerstone in our country's journey towards a sustainable future. We are halfway between the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the vision set for 2030.
"There is an urgent need to deliver deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. The call is for everyone – from the global leaders assembled at Cop28 to the millions of individuals making daily choices in the UAE and beyond.
"To deliver this promise to action, we needed to develop new innovative methods and tools, and the UAE EI Initiative is an example of this. From a simple idea developed within the National Experts Programme, a nationwide initiative has taken root.”
Early sign-up for the online platform is available on the project's website.
When fully rolled-out, the application will feature a rewards system in which users who reduce their carbon footprint will receive green points which can be redeemed through a range of loyalty programmes.
The Cop28 conference is due to conclude on Tuesday, with negotiations now intensifying to secure an international agreement on key issues such as limiting global warming and phasing out or phasing down fossil fuels.
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HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
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MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')
Chelsea 0
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
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The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
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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.
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The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
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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.
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
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Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
