Few in the international community had expected Xi Jinping, China’s President, to announce in his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that his country intends to be carbon-neutral by 2060. Yet this is precisely what happened.
As things stand, China, the world’s largest country by population, is also the world’s largest carbon emitter. (It is worth noting, however, that in the list of countries ranked by carbon emissions on a per-capita basis, China is not even in the top 40.)
But as keen observers of China’s politics know, very little in Beijing is done by surprise. Chinese policymakers have proven to be both far-sighted and methodical. As less centralised democratic nations from the Americas to Europe to South Asia roil under the current climate of political polarisation and economic uncertainty, Beijing has afforded itself the luxury of being able to concentrate on the country’s place in the world to come.
Mr Xi was careful to express in his UN speech that Chinese emissions will, in the short term, escalate, peaking in the year 2030. To those who have campaigned for an immediate, global and maximalist intervention to put the brakes on climate change, this statement will spark alarm.
Pragmatism, however, is as fundamental to bringing about long-term change as activism. China’s level of carbon emissions, though significant, have been in large part a side effect of its efforts to achieve a stable level of prosperity for its citizens.
Between 1980 and 2005, it is estimated that the number of people in China living on less than $1.25 a day (PPP) declined by over 600 million people. The steepest decline occurred from 1999 to 2005, coinciding with the beginning of a rapid increase in the country’s carbon emissions, as more people moved into cities and industrialisation gathered pace.
Globally, the figure was just over 500 million (net poverty rates actually rose in other regions of the world, offsetting Chinese gains). The overall picture means, in a sense, that Chinese poverty reduction accounted for 100 per cent of the global total during that period. Today, China is on the cusp of eradicating poverty altogether, with the price tag clear in the form of its climbing carbon emissions.
Today, China is on the cusp of eradicating poverty
In other words, economic well-being and carbon emissions have been linked intimately in the story of China’s development right up to today. Transforming that strategy completely is not an immediate process.
As Chinese poverty rates decline to near-zero, however, it will certainly become easier. The world approaching a point, economically and technologically, where futureproofing and development do not need to rely on carbon-heavy strategies. In fact, the experience of the UAE and the rest of the Gulf shows, the greatest investments for the long term are to be found in sustainable livelihoods. China’s carbon-neutrality goal is the strongest signal yet of Beijing’s recognition of this fact.
In the last quarter of the 20th century, China achieved the greatest poverty reduction in human history and pulled more people out of poverty than the rest of the world combined. Next year, China is expected to host the 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity, where it will showcase its role in global environmental science. With its sights set on carbon neutrality over the next 40 years, it may be China that achieves the most in reversing the course of climate change, too.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
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The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
