With only a day to go before Cop28 gets under way, the world is at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. Record-shattering temperatures and devastating climate shocks have cost lives and livelihoods around the world, from prolonged wildfires in Chile to rampant hurricanes in Mexico, and intense flooding in Kenya and Somalia.
In this context, the agenda set by the incoming Cop28 Presidency, focusing on fast-tracking a just, equitable and orderly energy transition, is more than a strategy to tackle climate change. It is a moral imperative and, quite simply, a matter of survival.
The Paris Agreement provided us with a clear direction. And the science has since underscored the milestones we must reach by 2030. Now, our challenge lies in translating our targets into tangible, actionable steps to keep 1.5°C within reach.
We need to think bigger and implement quicker. We need to almost halve global carbon emissions by 2030. This calls for a dramatic increase in renewable energy deployment, a radical scaling-up of climate financing and a swift transition to new low-emission, sustainable economic models.
The energy transition is off track. To close the gap, the World Energy Transitions Outlook, a report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency, calls for a tripling of renewable energy and doubling of energy efficiency within the next seven years.
In designing an inclusive energy future, we must deliver a scenario where energy access is universal and sustainable
When we talk about the energy transition and the goal of tripling renewables, we must remember what that means and the impact it can have. Hundreds of millions of people still live without basic energy access. About 675 million lack electricity and 2.3 billion are without clean cooking facilities, as highlighted in the UN’s most recent report on Sustainable Development Goals.
Set against this challenging socio-economic backdrop, we have an opportunity to design an inclusive energy future. But, in designing this future, we must imagine and deliver a scenario where energy access is universal and sustainable.
This requires policies that foster not just energy access, but clean energy access for all, with those most disproportionately affected by climate disasters at the forefront of this transition. We must help those already left behind by today’s energy system at the same time as ensuring those at risk of being marginalised in this shifting energy landscape are included in the future energy system.
In this sense, the transition to a system powered by renewable energy presents an extraordinary opportunity to build resilience, empower communities, catalyse economic growth and improve lives and livelihoods across the board. Renewables are available everywhere, offering countries socio-economic benefits and enhancing energy security.
Cop28 marks the year of the first Global Stocktake, in which the world reflects on its progress in implementing the Paris Agreement. It is vital that collective action be galvanised following this key milestone in our journey toward a climate-safe existence.
A key component of delivering this future is a Global Energy Pledge at Cop28 – a commitment to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, as recommended by Irena’s World Energy Transitions Outlook. This pledge, proposed by the Cop28 Presidency can help create a future energy system that is rid of unabated fossil fuel production and consumption by mid-century.
The success of Cop28 hinges on translating commitments into actionable solutions.
With renewables, we have the cost-competitive, immediately deployable technological solutions at hand to achieve the 1.5°C temperature limit. Now, Irena has identified five key enablers to accelerate the energy transition.
First, we need holistic policy frameworks that promote renewable power solutions and energy efficiency measures. Second, enhancing the sustainability of global supply chains is crucial to develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering energy access for all.
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Third, financing is key. We must mobilise public and private finance to support this ambitious expansion of renewable energy solutions. Fourth, international collaboration is vital. We need to foster collective action and knowledge sharing on governance, climate finance, and innovation.
Finally, infrastructure development is essential. We need to expand and modernise existing electricity infrastructure and build systems that are fit for renewables.
We have seen what is possible in the UAE. In the eight years since 2015, when the country’s total renewable energy capacity stood at just 100 megawatts, the Emirates has become a regional powerhouse of renewable energy production, and home to three of the world’s largest and lowest-cost solar power plants.
Today, the UAE’s total installed renewable energy capacity stands at more than 4 gigawatts, with the country on-track to triple this capacity to 14 GW by 2030. And as the first country in the Gulf that committed to net-zero by 2050, we expect the UAE’s green economy to only expand further. It shows what can be done when the planning, infrastructure, investment and political will to develop sustainable economic models is in place.
Our journey to a net-zero, climate resilient future runs via the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030. We have less than minutes to midnight as we hurtle ever closer to eclipsing the critical 1.5C warming limit set out in the Paris Agreement. As we head into Cop28 in our hour of need, the international community must unite to turn ambition into action for a just, inclusive and equitable global energy transition.
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
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Honeymoonish
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
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.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
