Scientific research provides us with the certainty that the future of our planet and the global economy depend on implementing a low-carbon approach. We also know that around 1.6 billion people - and in particular Africans - lack access to energy and that global demand for energy could increase by 50 per cent by 2030.
France, one of the very few countries in the world that has kept its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, has chosen to be forward-looking and show by example, setting a goal for cutting its CO2 emissions by four times by 2050. To this end, our country has defined a new strategy widely known in France as the "Grenelle Environnement". This strategy includes plans to reduce energy consumption and have renewable energies represent 23 per cent of France's energy mix by 2020.
For more than two years, France has invested massively in a new growth model - green growth based on low-carbon - and promoting renewable energy. In France, 100,000 old apartments and houses will be weatherised in just two years. All new buildings will be so-called "low-consumption" buildings starting in 2013 and "positive-energy" starting in 2020. Further efforts include investments in the use of biomass as an energy source, the establishment of a "renewable heat fund", the construction of at least one solar plant per administrative region by 2011 and funding for geothermal programmes. Results are already being felt. Between the first half of 2008 and the first half of 2009, grid connections have gone up 265 per cent from sources of solar energy alone. If this trend continues, we could achieve a doubling of our annual renewable energy production over 12 years, equivalent to the energy supplied by 20 million tonnes of oil.
We are not alone in believing in green growth. With its "Climate and Energy package" (adopted under the French Presidency of the European Union), the EU has set three main objectives for itself by 2020: cutting its CO2 emissions by 20 per cent, lowering its energy consumption by 20 per cent, and raising the proportion of renewable sources of energy in the final energy mix to 20 per cent.
The historic agreement reached in Copenhagen in December 2009 also represents a major stepping stone. For the first time, the world's largest countries, including the US, China, India and Brazil, have embarked on a joint process to fight climate change. And also for the first time, all heads of state and government have agreed to keep the temperature rise under 2°C, a threshold beyond which the world would face a period of great uncertainty. Industrialised countries have pledged financial support for vulnerable countries, in particular by helping them harness the potential of renewable sources of energy. And indeed, I firmly believe that Africa has enough resources to allow it to become the first energy self-sufficient continent in history, thanks to renewable energy.
Whether developed or developing, industrialised or agricultural, whether they import or export fossil fuels, our countries face the same reality. Economic growth will, to a large extent, depend on the development of renewable energy, whether it plays a primary or a complementary role in a country's energy mix.
In this context, the United Arab Emirates' commitment to sustainable development should be viewed as a major turning point. Since it ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, the UAE has multiplied its initiatives. These have included across-the-board implementation of international building and energy efficiency standards and planning to increase the share of energy it receives from renewable sources to seven per cent by 2020. Construction of the first-ever zero-carbon city, industrial projects that include a solar thermal plant and a photovoltaic cell manufacturing unit and organisation of the World Future Energy Summit, all demonstrate the UAE's commitment. One of the world's major oil-producing countries has turned into a global centre for co-operating and experimenting in the field of renewable energy.
It is no coincidence then that the UAE's offer to host the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) was met with such enthusiasm by Irena's member states last year. I see this as a token of deserved recognition and great promise for the future. I also believe that the appointment of a Frenchwoman, Hélène Pelosse, as Irena's director general will offer us a chance to deepen our cultural, scientific and economic exchanges around a key component of fighting climate change. I have come to appreciate her energy, dynamism and dedication to a cause that will play a crucial part in shaping our future.
Until then, our two countries are united in the worthiest of all projects: ensuring that each of the world's nations, regions and communities has equal access to energy at all times, an essential prerequisite to development.
Jean-Louis Borloo is the French minister for ecology, energy and sustainable development
MATCH DETAILS
Barcelona 0
Slavia Prague 0
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20mild%20hybrid%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20S%20tronic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E265hp%20%2F%20195kW%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20370Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh260%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Scorebox
Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries Gormley, Penalty
Cons Flaherty
Pens Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons Caldwell 2
Pens Caldwell, Cross
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round