Warning systems to alert outdoor workers to dangerous temperature rises could help to offset the physiological effects of climate change on labourers in the UAE.
That is the recommendation of health experts who advised on a study by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment that sought to identify health risks associated with rising temperatures.
Scientists say rising temperatures associated with climate change could bring real harm in the Gulf. According to one study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, climate modelling and other data suggest temperatures in the region could hit 60°C by 2100 if urgent action is not taken.
“We are already feeling the effects of climate change in all aspects of our lives,” said Fahed Al Hammadi, of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
“Given the current projections, such effects will continue to grow in intensity and frequency, and adaptation is the only viable response strategy,” Mr Al Hammadi said.
The study revealed that the main physiological impact of climate change on people is heat stress – a condition which can result in heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps or rashes, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Other climate-change related diseases that should be monitored and addressed include those associated with carbon pollution, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. These diseases can significantly reduce productivity.
In 2004, the UAE made it illegal for people to work from 12.30pm to 3pm while exposed to sunlight. Workers were granted an afternoon break for two months, which in 2010 was extended to three months.
Inspectors carry out frequent and random checks to ensure companies comply with regulations and provide sunshades, water and first aid on site. Companies are fined Dh5,000 per worker if they break the rules.
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"The UAE has very clear rules around summer time working," said James Lewry, a director of Control Risks, who leads the worker welfare risk management team in the Middle East, from Dubai.
“But the issue is that companies with at-risk workers vary in terms of their implementation of heat stress measures.”
Companies often offer solutions, such as electrolyte-laden drinks to help workers rehydrate themselves, but they do not always explain why they are being used, Mr Lewry said.
“Education is really important for getting people to use those control measures,” he said.
Compliance to summer time working restrictions was good among companies this year, said Mr Lewry. And some have introduced technologies such as cooling towels to help outdoor workers cope with the heat outside the restriction period.
The ministry’s study, however, revealed that there was “a lot more” room for further initiatives. Health experts suggested that enhanced early warning systems and heat alert plans would be useful. However, the recommendations did not specify how the system would be implemented.
In June, The National spoke to workers who appealed for additional drinking water units on construction sites, more shaded rest areas and an extension of the midday break hours.
Many said temperatures had begun climbing earlier in the year and a one or two-hour extension would make working conditions easier during the intense afternoon heat.
“Having supervisors who are trained to spot heat stress symptoms means they can get people out of the situation and protect them,” he said.
“Often the people who suffer from heat stress don’t necessarily know that they are going through it at the time.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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