The team behind an Omani project to eliminate carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will find out if it has won the coveted Earthshot Prize on Friday, after being shortlisted for the environmental award this month.
44.01, named after the molecular mass of carbon dioxide, is one of three finalists in the Earthshot Prize’s Fix Our Climate category and is in the running for £1 million in funding to push their project forward.
“We’re honoured to be the Middle East’s first Earthshot finalist,” Talal Hasan, 44.01’s founder, told The National.
“Our technology can offer a safe, cost-effective, permanent way of eliminating CO2 forever. Our challenge now is to bring this to scale, both across our region and internationally.”
Carbon-capture technology enables some of the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning or industrial processes to be captured before it reaches the atmosphere and then stored, often deep underground in aquifers.
But there are concerns carbon, if stored in this way, could leak back into the atmosphere.
The 44.10 team says its method goes beyond storing carbon by instead eliminating it through mineralising it in a type of rock called peridotite. Oman is home to the largest source of peridotite in the world, though there are other places with large stores in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
The process happens naturally, but 44.01 have found a way to accelerate it by injecting fluid containing carbon dioxide into cavities in the rock deep underground. It hopes to have removed one billion tonnes of the planet-warming gas from the atmosphere by 2040.
The team says it has already conducted successful pilots in the Omani mountains and it hopes to make the technology commercially available by 2023.
The winners of the five Earthshot prizes will be announced on Friday at a ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts, attended by the UK's Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William has described the awards as his “Super Bowl moment of the year”.
The event will be a star-studded affair, with singer Billie Eilish performing and actor Rami Malek helping to hand out the awards. Sir David Attenborough will also make a speech.
“The 15 finalists of this year's Earthshot Prize are deeply inspiring,” Malek said. “They are dedicating their lives to building solutions that will repair our planet.”
The initiative, which has a total prize fund of £50 million, was launched in 2021 and will continue every year until 2030, with people from around the world presenting ambitious projects to fix the globe's biggest environmental problems.
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
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- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
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Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
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Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
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The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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What are the regulations?
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