It’s not always helpful to look back. That’s especially the case in fields such as climate, energy and sustainability, which forces us to look forwards and plan for the future. But sometimes, by reflecting on what has been, we can draw up a blueprint for what needs to be done.
For instance, this time last year, with the global spotlight on the UAE, there was as much anticipation as there was scepticism that we, as hosts of Cop28, could unite, align and rally the world around a global climate action agenda. Today, the UAE Consensus is mentioned in the same breath as the Paris Climate Agreement as two towering testaments to the power of determined and co-operative climate diplomacy.
While the negotiated texts of Cop21 and Cop28 have become common knowledge, what is less well known and often overlooked is that partnerships and collaboration held the keys to their ratification. These breakthrough compacts also serve as a reminder that climate action is – as it must be at its very core – a collective endeavour. Though disproportionately, the climate crisis affects us all: every layer and level of every society, economy and community.
Fulfilling the global commitments that parties signed up to in Paris in 2015, and in Dubai last year, requires every layer of governance and society to step up, partner up and prioritise the climate actions they can take to help keep the global threshold temperature of 1.5°C within reach.
Nationally Determined Contributions are key to the step-change required to move the needle on climate change. NDCs, the commitments made by each country to reduce national emissions, represent a crucial foundation and opportunity to deliver effective climate action at every level of society: national, subnational and individual.
By partnering with Irena, the UAE’s leadership is extending beyond its borders
As nations prepare to submit their third round of NDCs in 2025, we face a critical question: how do we ensure that targets translate into tangible, real-world outcomes?
It is no secret that countries, especially developing economies, face unique and significant challenges in meeting their NDCs. Many of these hurdles are rooted in three core issues: the global climate financial architecture, local implementation capacity and international support for climate frontline communities.
First and foremost, the funding gap remains a formidable obstacle. Climate finance for mitigation and adaptation projects continues to fall short of what is needed. Developing economies, in particular, struggle to access the resources required to implement their NDCs. Without targeted financial support, many ambitions will remain beyond their reach.
Second, there is the challenge of empowering subnational actors. While national governments set the targets, regional and local governments are often responsible for implementing them. Yet many countries lack the mechanisms to engage these critical actors in meaningful climate action. Without an effective bridge between national commitments and local implementation, progress will remain stalled.
Noting a real opportunity to drive swift and tangible impact through the NDCs, the Coalition for High-Ambition Multilevel Partnerships for Climate Action was established at Cop28 to help set national targets in closer collaboration with subnational governments and close the emissions gap.
Today, only 27 per cent of national pledges under the Paris Agreement include strong urban content, according to the UN-Habitat, the UN programme focused on human settlements and sustainable urban development. What’s more, cities, states and regions are ready to take action. With the right support and partnerships in place, subnational actors can simultaneously rapidly reduce up to 90 per cent of their emissions, and also create high-quality jobs and long-term prosperity.
In the UAE, for example, the federal government is constantly engaging with subnational actors and private-sector stakeholders to enhance economy-wide participation and contributions to the UAE’s efforts to achieving net zero by 2050, through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s National Dialogue on Climate Ambition initiative.
And thirdly, we must address the specific needs and priorities of developing economies. Communities on the frontlines of climate change, while bearing the brunt of the crisis, often have the least capacity to respond. Support, in the form of capacity building, knowledge sharing and technology transfers, is invaluable in helping them mitigate and adapt to our rapidly warming planet.
And this is where the power of partnership plays a vital role – an area where the UAE is, once again, leading the charge.
In yet another demonstration of its climate leadership, the UAE recently announced a strategic partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency to support developing countries in strengthening their NDCs through the NDC Partnership – an initiative that enables countries to access technical and financial knowledge resources to build local capacities and accelerate climate action through specific national targets.
The UAE-Irena partnership, announced on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, will assist 20 developing economies in enhancing their climate commitments and implementing renewable energy projects. By partnering with Irena, the UAE’s leadership is extending beyond its borders, by helping to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, resources and technologies to countries that need it most.
Through its collaboration with Irena under the NDC Partnership, the UAE is helping to build capacities in developing countries, readying them to integrate renewable energy targets into their NDCs and laying the groundwork for a just and inclusive energy transition.
But our work is far from over. The path to a climate-positive future will be neither easy nor straightforward. It will require a doubling-down on collaboration, an unwavering political will and sustained action across all sectors of society.
It’s time for every country, every government and every organisation to join the global effort. The UAE has laid the foundation – now it’s up to all of us to build on it, together.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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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
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
