Dubai will introduce a charge of 25 fils for single-use plastic bags from July 1.
The emirate's Executive Council said the charge would be applied in retail, clothing, restaurants and pharmacies, as well as on delivery orders and e-commerce orders.
The charge will be evaluated in stages before single-use plastic bags are banned completely in two years' time.
A tariff on such bags has been applied in more than 30 countries, and a partial or complete ban has been imposed in more than 90.
We intend to roll out a new marketing campaign to increase customer awareness
V Nandakumar,
Lulu Group
Awareness campaigns will be carried out in the coming weeks across all sectors, including in schools and universities. Shops will be encouraged to provide sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bags.
Natalie Hore, founder of Azraq, a marine conservation organisation in the UAE, was pleased to see Dubai taking steps to reduce plastic waste.
“Taxing single-use plastic is one option among many to reduce its circulation, and illustrates a commitment to the local environment,” she said.
“Removing single-use plastic items like bags from circulation will hopefully result in other single-use plastic items, like straws and packaging, being reconsidered also.
“[This move] complements the efforts of what some green-focused businesses and not-for-profits like Azraq have been doing through campaigns like #totesbetterthanplastic.”
V Nandakumar, communications director at Lulu Group, said the company was supportive of “moving away from single-use plastic bags” throughout its stores and online shopping.
“We have been very aggressively promoting reusable shopping bags for the last two years, with an aim of achieving our goal of zero single-use plastic bags by 2023,” he said.
“We also intend to roll out a new marketing campaign to increase customer awareness in this regard.”
Christian Jesty, who looks after environment and sustainability initiatives at Jumeirah's Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, welcomed the move.
"Everyone needs to play their part in reducing the scourge of plastic waste that blights our environment and oceans," he said.
"Evidence from implementing such tariffs indicates that charging for plastic bags, via tax or fee, is most effective at curbing usage and encourages people to switch to reusables, which ultimately keeps the environment and sea life from harm.
"We laud Dubai for their efforts and look forward to the ban being implemented in Abu Dhabi by the end of this year."
Retail giant Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour announced last year that it would stop providing single-use plastic bags at the checkout counters of two of its Dubai branches — Carrefour Hypermarket at Cityland Mall and Carrefour Market at Arabian Ranches 1.
A study last year found that hundreds of camels across the UAE have died because of plastic consumption over the past decade.
Of 30,000 camels analysed since 2008, in the field or in a laboratory by staff from Dubai’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, about 300 died because of polybezoars — lumps of indigestible material made of plastic.
It means about one in 100 camel deaths in the UAE is due to the consumption of plastic waste left behind by people camping or littering.
Worldwide, almost 300 million tonnes of plastic pollution are produced each year, the equivalent weight of the human race, according to figures released by the UN Environment Programme.
Only nine per cent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, dumps or the natural environment.
The UN says that if current trends continue, the ocean could contain more weight of plastic than fish by the year 2050.
Alternatives to plastic bags — from canvas totes to keychain bags
Reusable plastic bags are thicker and more durable than single-use ones.
They are non-biodegradable but are made to be reused many times, making them a better option than the disposable ones.
Jute bags are one of the most durable options and are also naturally biodegradable.
These sustainable bags are slightly more expensive than reusable plastic ones but are much more environmentally friendly.
Canvas tote bags are another durable option similar to jute.
They may not be as environmentally friendly because these bags require more resources to produce and distribute but they can be reused many times.
Key ring tote bags are known for their ability to fold down and be stored in an attached carrying pouch about the size of an egg, which can then be stuffed in a pocket or attached to a key ring or backpack.
They are portable and can be cleaned in a washing machine.
While paper bags generate waste, they can be recycled so are a preferable alternative if you forget your reusable bag at home.
Personal shopping trolley bags are foldable and come with wheels. They are perfect for those walking home from the supermarket — or even those with a long trek back to the car through a large car park.
While previously relegated to the domain of “granny chic”, these carts are back in vogue.
Mesh bags/reusable plastic produce bags are used for produce, like fruits and veggies.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
All Blacks line-up for third Test
J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
