When we look back at the history of global development, the year 2015 will be remembered as a turning point. It was a year during which both the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement were established. Both those events marked a period of collective global intent to bend the curve of rising emissions and reverse the world's growing inequalities. It was a year of renewed multilateralism, of hope and ambition.
But while history may look back favourably on 2015, it will also indicate how we fell short of delivering promises in the years that followed. The challenges of climate and sustainable development have never been more acute. Close to 800 million people still live in darkness and without reliable energy. Carbon emission have risen to record levels for three of the last four years. Add to that, Covid-19 exposed fragilities of an unsustainable and vulnerable global economy.
If ever there was a need for significant adjustment in our trajectory, it is now.
We can address many of our immediate and medium-to long-term challenges by prioritising energy system transformation. For decades, energy has powered growth and enabled prosperity. But as we tackle unique challenges, our energy system must evolve. A renewables-driven transformation is both an indispensable part of sustainable growth and catalyst for an immediate and robust economic recovery.
Wind, solar and geothermal energy, complemented by green hydrogen and modern bioenergy can also move the world towards climate stability and greater resource security. The Eleventh assembly of The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will further reinforce these benefits and encourage states, cities and corporations to exploit them, immediately.
Examples from around the world and right here in the UAE are evidence that renewable energy solutions are routinely out-competing fossil fuels on costs and are deployable at large scale. In April last year, Abu Dhabi secured 2 gigawatts of solar energy for a record 1.35 cents per kilowatt hour. Similarly, Solar and wind are leading us towards an era of the cheapest electricity in history.
The UAE is aiming for a 23.5 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030
Renewables are now actively displacing both new and existing coal power. Irena estimates that by the end of this year, up to 1,200GW of existing coal-fired capacity will cost more to operate than new utility-scale solar photovoltaic will cost to install.
These market developments are nothing short of revolutionary. Around 35 per cent of today’s global electricity supply is renewable and the total absolute generation capacity has doubled in a decade, but there is still work to be done.
To meet global goals, by 2030, this share needs to increase to just under 60 per cent and rise again to 90 per cent by mid-century.
It is possible, but we have entered crucial year. Between now and COP26 in November, it is critical that national governments fully account for renewables’ potential in climate commitments and align climate goals with concrete energy plans and investments.
The global pandemic has put many things in perspective, not least the importance of renewables. As the economic downturn ravaged oil markets, and the low electricity demand reduced fossil fuel-based generation, renewables displayed remarkable resilience.
In the EU and UK, for instance, coal-based power generation fell by over a quarter in the first three months of 2020, compared to 2019, because of falling demand due to the coronavirus. In contrast, renewable energy reached a 43 per cent share of the electricity mix.
These opportunities are increasingly being reflected in country-level climate ambition. Canada, the UK and Korea are just a few countries targeting net-zero economies by mid-century, bolstered by renewable energy. The UAE too has recently updated its nationally determined contribution, aiming for a 23.5 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, underpinned by clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency and emerging clean technologies. That amounts to a carbon reduction of about 70 million tonnes.
Yet, this moment of need calls for an unprecedented response. The evidence shows us that transforming the global energy system will offer significant socioeconomic benefits – from job creation and growth in gross domestic product, to improved food and water security. It is a fundamental element of the sustainable development agenda and a prerequisite for the achievement of almost all its goals – including climate safety.
If we are to offer future generations anything like the opportunities afforded to us, we must consider sustainability and move towards it in everything we do and all the choices we make. While 2015 was indeed a year of great hope, to transform that hope into reality, 2021 must be the year when we leave the age inequity behind us.
Francesco La Camera is director general of The International Renewable Energy Agency
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
Company%20profile
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The%20specs
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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
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
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
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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SPECS
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
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