World leaders are gathering in the UAE to discuss the urgent plan of action. Our world needs to course-correct if we are to meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s target of holding global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
While mitigation, adaptation and climate-finance issues will be the main focus, this Cop will undoubtedly be impacted by the climate of conflict in the region. Hostilities in Gaza continue to be on hearts, minds and airwaves – and to consume diplomatic energy and attention in the region and globally.
But assuming that conflicts make it harder to focus on climate is a false narrative. It’s not one or the other simply because the two issues are too deeply intertwined. Conflict worsens the effects of climate change, and climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation are increasingly making our world more fragile, fuelling conflict at least indirectly
Roughly 90 per cent of all refugees originate from countries on the front lines of the climate emergency. The majority of the world’s refugees emanate from just five countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Venezuela. These countries are also among the most vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate.
In displacement, too, refugees are disproportionately exposed to climate-related risks. Countries that are classified as highly vulnerable to the effects of climate crisis are home to 20 per cent of the world’s population, yet they host over 40 per cent of refugees.
Failure to act on climate is a failure to build sustainable peace. And for communities already vulnerable, every shock, whether it’s a climate-induced disaster or the next conflict, creates further cycles of vulnerability, making them less able to cope with the next shock.
That people in fragile and conflict-affected settings are often left behind by climate action, demands urgent attention. This should not be the case.
This means more coherence between finance and assistance that is assigned to climate action, development, humanitarian and peace and security activities. It means working to ensure that climate funding is in place and that it reaches conflict-affected settings – and it also means working with communities and governments to create an enabling environment for climate action. It means working harder to ensure that conflict prevention is climate sensitive - and that climate action is conflict-sensitive. But what does this entail in practice?
Assuming that conflicts make it harder to focus on climate is a false narrative
The organisation that I lead, Unops, has a focus on operations across humanitarian, development and peace and security pillars. We implement projects on behalf of the UN, governments and other partners, drawing on infrastructure, procurement and project management expertise. This year, around half of Unops’s global delivery has been in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. As an organisation, we are committed to supporting all countries in their efforts to tackle the climate crisis and to drive climate-resilient development. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, our experience directly speaks to the centrality of climate action in building the conditions for lasting peace and sustainable development to thrive.
This experience is backed by research carried out by Unops and the Danish Institute for International Studies that showed sustainable, inclusive and resilient infrastructure plays a key role not just in driving economic development, but also in addressing the root causes of violence and preventing conflict.
Take Yemen as an example. One of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change – and one where years of conflict have severely undermined the provision of public services – including electricity, with devastating consequences on all aspects of human development. There, funded by the World Bank, we work with local partners to provide off-grid solar electricity to schools, hospitals, streets and households. The impact of this work goes beyond restoring access to critical urban services for 1.4 million Yemenis. It means building resilience, and supporting a local economy invested in sustainability. Through collaboration with the local private sector, including microfinance institutions, UNOPS has helped develop the small-scale solar PV market in the country.
Similarly, prior to the escalation of violence in hostilities in the Middle East, and in response to chronic electricity shortages in Gaza, Unops worked to enable access to electricity and health services through renewable energy solutions. One example of this work involved installing a hybrid solar system at the European Gaza Hospital, serving around 100,000 people.
In Haiti – where climate vulnerability, rampant gang violence and a hunger crisis have made life a “living nightmare” for many citizens, we work, together with the World Bank and the government, to provide a clean, reliable source of energy to hospitals across the country. This work is particularly important when you consider that less than half of Haiti’s population has access to electricity, and we know that health interventions – when delivered in a conflict-sensitive way – can contribute to peaceful societies.
In South Sudan, ongoing conflict, the climate crisis and a devastating drought mean that two thirds of the population – over 7.7 million people – are facing crisis or worse levels of hunger. Here, we have been working with partners such as the EU and the World Bank to improve food security and build resilience. To support trade, we worked with the EU to construct markets and over 170 kilometres of feeder roads. Built with local materials, the roads helped farmers in remote areas connect to market centres, benefitting local businesses and increasing a sense of security in the area.
The bottom line is a better future for the people and the planet requires climate action that leaves no one behind. For people in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, that action could not come soon enough. At a time of compounding crises globally, let’s prioritise climate action that delivers for peace.
Teaching in coronavirus times
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
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
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
HAJJAN
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW
Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2
Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC
Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
