Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber has called for “unprecedented” climate action to ensure the historic deal agreed during the summit has a chance to keep global temperatures from exceeding the crucial 1.5ºC threshold.
Speaking at the International Energy Agency in Paris on Tuesday, Dr Al Jaber urged governments, business and industry to step up and keep the deal – under which countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels – alive and not allow the momentum to slip away.
He also cautioned of “turmoil” if the green transition was not managed correctly and stated governments needed to be honest and transparent about the costs involved.
“The UAE Consensus set a new direction and a clear course correction,” said Dr Al Jaber, who is also UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, referring to the Cop28 deal signed by close to 200 countries.
“We must now turn an unprecedented agreement into unprecedented action. Now is the time for all stakeholders to step up.”
It comes as climate records continue to be broken. In February it was reported that global warming had for the first time exceeded 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels across an entire year, according to the EU's climate service.
January was also the world's warmest January on record, with an average temperature of 13.14°C.
Scientists believe major cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, chiefly caused by burning fossil fuels, are the only way to stop global temperatures from increasing and stave off the worst effects of climate change.
Investing in greener future
Dr Al Jaber was speaking at the “Beyond Cop28: Time to unite, act and deliver the UAE consensus” event, which was attended by ministers, ambassadors, industry executives and other leaders, including International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol, Cop21 President Laurent Fabius; Jennifer Morgan, Germany's climate envoy; and John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate.
During the event, the Cop28 President also warned that the energy transition would lead to energy turmoil if only the supply side was focused on.
Dr Al Jaber said the green transition would need “massive investment” in grid infrastructure to deliver renewable energy, while governments needed to be “honest and transparent about the costs and trade-offs involved”.
Mr Kerry also paid tribute to the Cop deal stating Dr Al Jaber did a "superb job" in putting Cop28 together in a situation where "one country can stand up and wreak havoc".
"It’s a brilliant consensus," he said. "A really important consensus."
Ms Morgan praised the Cop28 team and said the world faced its "1974 moment", referring to the date the IEA was founded during the 1973 to 1974 oil crisis.
"This is our moment where we have to come together in a new way, collectively, to respond to the shocks that are happening to our countries from the climate crisis," she said.
Ms Morgan said people needed to "bottle that spirit and the determination of the UAE consensus”.
Mr Fabius said Cop28 was a "gamechanger" and Mr Birol said it "set out very clearly, and for the first time", the direction of travel for the global energy system.
Scaling up climate finance, meanwhile, is seen as crucial in the fight against climate change, particularly in helping those on the front lines switch to more sustainable forms of energy.
Cop28 mobilised $85 billion in new pledges and commitments and launched the world’s largest private investments vehicle for climate action – Alterra.
Dr Al Jaber last year welcomed the announcement that wealthier countries reportedly hit the overdue $100 billion annual climate finance goal but said “trillions” will be needed.
Cop28 also tried to get the oil and gas industry to step up, with 40 per cent of global oil production committing to zero methane emissions by 2030 and net zero by or before 2050.
While describing these targets as “a good start, Dr Al Jaber said “it must be built on. I will continue to push for more”.
Dr Al Jaber’s comments came just days after the Cop28 presidency launched a major partnership with the next two hosts of the climate conference, Azerbaijan and Brazil, to help keep the crucial 1.5ºC climate goal within reach.
The “Cop presidencies troika” aims to boost co-operation and ensure continuity between the hosts of the annual climate talks in what is being called “mission 1.5ºC”.
“Cop28 created a moment of hope in challenging times,” said Dr Al Jaber. “Let’s not waste it. Let’s harness this positive energy to drive breakthrough progress”.
Climate tipping points – in pictures
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdinburgh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%204%20%3Cem%3E(unchanged)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBahrain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2015)%3C%2Fem%3E%3B%20second%20daily%20service%20from%20January%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKuwait%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2016)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMumbai%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAhmedabad%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColombo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202%20%3Cem%3E(from%20January%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMuscat%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%20%3C%2Fem%3EMarch%201%3Cem%3E%20(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELyon%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBologna%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Emirates%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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”.
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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
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
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Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
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Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
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