We live in an age where humanity is confronted with several momentous challenges. If these are addressed today they can go a long way in reshaping the world.
Often these challenges transcend borders, cultures and ideologies. They demand resolve, commitment and urgent action. From climate change and environmental degradation to global health crises and socio-economic inequalities, the magnitude of these challenges requires us to come together as partners to address future challenges. The UAE Year of Sustainability is a reminder of that.
Climate change is one of the most urgent problems facing humanity. To counter it, we need to accelerate the energy transition and put in place sustainable infrastructure and services that allow citizens to tread gently on mother nature.
Globally, Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption is progressing at a fast pace, largely due to ambitious targets to move production towards EVs. In 2022, electric car sales worldwide reached 10 million units, five times higher than sales in 2019. And in 2023, electric car sales were 3.5 million higher than in 2022, a 35 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the International Energy Agency.
When compared to other countries, the UAE EV market has room to grow, and in 2023, demand rose significantly. The UAE has an opportunity to increase EV adoption by stepping up the quality of EV infrastructure across the country. If there were better and more convenient infrastructure, it could change public perception regarding battery range and usability, encouraging more people to make the switch to cleaner transport. In our efforts to confront the most fundamental and intractable challenges, partnerships between government and business can be useful.
In the UAE, there has always been a recognition that the relationship between government and business is not merely transactional; it is symbiotic, rooted in the recognition of complementary strengths and the pursuit of common goals. Government and business together drive economic growth, foster innovation and address societal and environmental challenges.
This is the philosophy which has fuelled the growing partnership between the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity, a partnership which has been cemented by the formation of UAEV, a joint venture to build fast and accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.
As a signatory to the UAE Climate Responsible Companies Pledge, EtihadWE represents a new breed of business – dedicated to exploring how an approach to energy and water can be utilised to create a more sustainable and connected society.
EV infrastructure is critical to the UAE’s growth strategy. It also has implications for transportation, energy and the environment. By expanding EV infrastructure, both parties hope to satisfy consumer demand, accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation and reduce emissions from the transportation sector, thereby helping bring the Net Zero 2050 Strategy within reach.
The partnership also aims to improve air quality across the UAE, as electric vehicles don't produce tailpipe emissions. By promoting the adoption of EVs and expanding charging infrastructure, we can reduce harmful air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, leading to cleaner air and healthier communities across the Emirates.
Sustainability and growth can and should go hand in hand, which is our shared belief and the basis of our joint venture. EV infrastructure presents significant economic opportunities, including job creation in manufacturing, construction, installation and maintenance of charging stations and related infrastructure.
And that’s before we consider that the transition to electric vehicles can stimulate innovation and investment in new technologies, supply chains, and business models, driving economic growth and competitiveness.
The potential of EV infrastructure is vast, multifaceted and necessary. It offers significant benefits in terms of reducing emissions, improving air quality, supporting economic growth and advancing smart city initiatives.
By investing in EV infrastructure and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, we trust that we can build a more sustainable, resilient and equitable transportation system for the future.
I have long believed that collaboration between government and business is vital for fostering innovation and technological advancement – UAEV has only reaffirmed that belief.
This kind of collaboration enhances our ability to tackle complex challenges and seize new opportunities. UAEV is just one step in ensuring the UAE remains a global leader in green innovation and meets its net zero goals.
Put simply, UAEV is designed to show that government-business partnerships can and should drive change and create value in a society by enhancing sustainable mobility and connecting communities.
Alliances that are similarly forged on the principles of collaboration, mutual benefit and shared responsibility, can stand as cornerstones of progress, prosperity and sustainable development across the UAE.
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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)
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Remaining fixtures
- August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
- September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
