By Manos Raptopoulos, President, SAP EMEA South
Shortly before this year’s Cop28 opened in the UAE, it was announced that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year on record. We are at the halfway point from 2015’s commitments to decarbonisation by 2030. There is still much to do: while the number of companies expressing net-zero targets has jumped considerably, only 4 per cent meet the stringent criteria laid out by the UN.
Not only do we need business leaders to recognise the urgency of reducing their emissions for planetary health, but we want them to recognise the massive business opportunities in sustainable business transformation and the low-carbon economy.
Among the cross-cutting themes for this year’s Cop is technology’s leading role in solutions that will help us stay on course with the Paris trajectory. I can attest that technology is a significant catalyst for decarbonisation across company operations and supply chains.
There is evidence that many businesses already recognize this link. A recent SAP survey found that 98 per cent of UAE companies surveyed report that environmental issues inform their strategic and operational decision-making. Moreover, almost 60 per cent began initiating environmental data collection within the past five years, while more than 70 per cent of UAE companies plan to increase their investment in sustainability strategies over the coming three years.
SAP’s message to the global business community on how technology will drive decarbonisation and create opportunities is three-fold.
Better data will lead to a better understanding
Sustainability data has become increasingly critical in decision-making. But the way carbon emissions, for example, are accounted for today is largely based on estimates and guesswork. Companies need actual data to better understand their supply chains’ impact and, in turn, help communities adapt to the powerful impacts of climate change.
The science shows we need to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. That requires ambitious policies that support private sector investment and technological innovation. SAP is bringing our tools, energy, and commitment to these two weeks in Dubai to help shape a lasting result in decarbonisation.
Companies must start treating carbon like money
Today, most companies still use averages and estimates to calculate their emissions. We need to quickly begin using actual, verifiable and auditable carbon emissions data. Carbon accounting has not yet matched financial accounting in terms of complexity, maturity and regulatory standards. After all, financial accounting has had more than 500 years to evolve, while carbon accounting is only 25 years in the making with the release of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol in 1998.
By calculating and sharing more precise emissions data across a company’s entire operation and supply chain, companies will over time be able to sync their emissions data with their financial data in a ‘green ledger’. This will allow them to more accurately report on their actual emissions, make decisions for lower-carbon products and processes, and build strong business cases for further climate-action investments.
Decarbonisation requires collaboration
Finally, companies and their suppliers must collaborate across their supply chains so they can share standardised carbon emissions data. Not only is it critical for the accurate accounting of Scope 3 emissions, often the largest share of a company’s overall footprint, but companies can better identify where opportunities exist for industry regulation to support bolder climate action policymaking.
Using just better data is not enough to achieve net-zero emissions. No company can take on the decarbonisation challenge alone. This collaboration includes using new energy sources and reducing material use and waste.
SAP is aligned with chief executives representing 12 million employees and US$4 trillion in revenues urging world leaders at Cop28 to lead by example. We’re asking governments to scale up investments in renewables while streamlining permitting and regulatory processes - and leading by example by ensuring government procurement practices become far more sustainable.
SAP is a signatory of the Global Renewables Alliance, which comprises more than 200 organisations calling for a Cop28 target that would triple renewable energy consumption to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030. We also support the New Delhi Declaration, which calls for tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050. In addition, we’re committed to The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which seeks $100 trillion in private-sector investment to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.
While we’re calling for global leaders to set far more ambitious climate targets, we also need governments to enable consistent and comparable climate-related disclosures at a global level and simplify carbon disclosure and reporting frameworks so that they encourage more transparency while eliminating inefficiencies.
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
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
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
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
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
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The five pillars of Islam
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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