Many organisations understand that we are at a critical juncture where adopting sustainable practices is no longer a choice, but a necessity. At this pivotal moment, speedy technological progress offers hope for a sustainable future. In this fast-developing and expanding global infrastructural landscape, smart cities, as we view them, will be truly smarter when they embrace the concept of climate resilience in its entirety, with technology leading the way.
At the World Economic Forum’s recent annual meeting in Davos, global leaders focused on the climate agenda, emphasising the pressing need for climate resilience, sustainable practices and the minimising of carbon emissions. A central topic of discussion was how to work towards a sustainable future. It highlighted the instrumental role of artificial intelligence in fostering sustainability, from optimising urban infrastructure in smart cities to introducing precise agricultural practices that cut greenhouse gas emissions. The integration of blockchain for transparent carbon credit trading and the utilisation of big data in climate science further showed the multifaceted approach being taken towards climate action.
The collective vision articulated at Davos paves the way for climate-smart cities where technology and real-time analytics merge to foster a prosperous future. But how can AI and other technologies actualise the concept of smart cities, and set a global paradigm for sustainability and resilience?
In our interconnected world, smart cities symbolise progress, powered as they are by an intricate web of new technologies. The convergence of smart cities and the Internet of Things has the potential to reshape urban living by providing new opportunities to improve cities’ efficiency, sustainability and overall quality of life.
A wide range of smart solutions for urban management are available, including intelligent traffic management systems with features that can read number plates or detect vehicles that jump red lights. AI-powered cameras can detect those who are speeding. Security systems can incorporate facial recognition technology. This is in addition to smart solutions for parking and environmental monitoring as well as managing water, energy, sewerage and waste more efficiently. All these technologies can be integrated into a command centre that allows for real-time monitoring and a co-ordinated response in various scenarios, including emergencies.
Technology offers many ways for city planners and developers to advance climate goals. Many successful cases demonstrate the power of AI to help developers with sustainable urban planning. For instance, according to a UN report, Beijing reduced deadly airborne pollutants by roughly 20 per cent in less than a year by closely tracking the sources of pollution and then regulating traffic and construction accordingly. I recently came across an innovative startup in Bengaluru that uses AI to decarbonise the agriculture sector, controlling fertiliser use to help farmers achieve better yields and reduce emissions.
Smart cities, as we view them, will be truly smarter when they embrace the concept of climate resilience in its entirety, with technology leading the way
Cities across the world are leveraging AI to enhance public transport. The GCC is uniquely positioned to lead the Middle East in sustainable living. Dubai has installed a smart traffic management system to reduce congestion. AI algorithms dynamically adjust traffic signal timings based on real-time traffic conditions. By analysing the traffic patterns, these systems aim at reducing congestion and optimising traffic flow.
An inherent tenet of blockchain in scaling climate action is its ability to create transparent and verifiable carbon credit trading platforms. These platforms help policymakers and organisations accurately track and validate emissions reductions. Blockchain can be a powerful tool in providing breadth and depth to climate mitigation and adaptation efforts by democratising ownership, enhancing transparency and integrity, and giving real-time visibility to emissions reduction and sequestration efforts.
Developing new climate databases as digital public goods could lay the foundation for greater global co-ordination on climate action. Ensuring that this data and technical infrastructure remain publicly accessible and open-source will enable future design iterations and contextualisation.
But we must focus on climate adaptation at scale. This requires strengthening our ability to adapt to current and expected climate events. AI is proving to be a critical enabler, owing to its climate modelling capabilities. AI can gather and analyse vast datasets, helping us to factor in climate change and make informed predictions about environmental changes. Destination Earth, or DestinE for short – a European Commission flagship initiative for a sustainable future – envisions creating an AI-based model of the Earth to monitor and predict the interaction between natural disasters, such as droughts.
By envisaging complex climate data through interactive graphics and infographics, scientists can effectively communicate the urgency of climate change to policymakers. Researchers from Stanford University and Arizona State University have already explored the use of data analytics in identifying early warning indications of severe weather patterns. Through this research, they identified historical warning indicators of extreme heat waves using historical global climate data.
In envisioning climate-smart cities, we peer into a future that is not just sustainable but thriving. It's a future where our urban landscapes harmonise with the environment, where cleaner air invigorates our lungs, and where innovative technologies drive economic prosperity.
The journey towards climate-smart cities is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s a journey worth embarking on. The vision of climate-smart cities offers hope and a clear path forward. It’s a call to action to unite in building cities that not only withstand the challenges of climate change but also lead the way in crafting a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
The time to act is now, and with determination and collective effort, we can turn our cities into beacons of resilience, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The five pillars of Islam
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Quick%20facts
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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more from Janine di Giovanni
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
