The European Union's energy ministers held separate meetings on Tuesday to thrash out a common path on whether nuclear should be incorporated in the bloc's renewable goals.
France’s Minister for energy Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher told reporters that she had organised the second meeting of 14 pro-nuclear countries ahead of a regular meeting in Brussels as the bloc tries to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
“What is at stake here is not opposing nuclear to renewables. What is at stake is to consider all the ways that we can achieve carbon neutrality or bring down our CO2 emissions by 2030,” said Ms Pannier-Runacher.
France has historically invested massively in nuclear power programmes. More than 70 per cent of its electricity is derived from nuclear energy.
The Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland are among EU countries that are pushing for nuclear power to be incorporated in the bloc's renewable goals.
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela said that “all carbon free technologies should have equal treatment”.
But 11 countries in the 27-member bloc disagree with this approach and reportedly met in parallel to the pro-nuclear group.
Reuters reported that the meeting included ministers from Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler said that a renewable energy directive should remain focused on renewable energies only.
Renewables “are the technologies of the future, a no-regret option, and we should focus on them”, she told reporters.
“There can be no equivalence between nuclear energy and renewable energy. They are two completely different discussions.”
Sweden’s Energy Minister Ebba Busch seemed to recognise that the bloc must incorporate the viewpoint of pro-nuclear countries.
Sweden currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU.
“If we don’t show respect for what member states choose [as] different power sources now, we will most likely prolong our dependency on fossil sources,” said Ms Busch.
“I am very happy and proud of my dear European colleagues that are making a pragmatic decision today,” she added.
“I think that will be a great signal also that Europe is committed to phasing out dependency on fossil sources.”
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
Company%20Profile
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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
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
