Shifting the focus of the drive to meet global climate goals rests on policymakers bringing together entrepreneurs and innovators, a senior member of the ruling UK Conservative Party has said.
“It's all very well, politicians setting targets, but you actually have to have the ability to deliver through technology,” said Liam Fox, a former defence and trade minister who is serving as chairman of this week's Innovation Zero, told The National.
“This isn't about just talking about the problem, this is talking about the solutions. I think it's caught the imagination of people.
“You cannot punish your population to decarbonise. You need to ensure that people can maintain the aspects of their life that they've come to value, while at the same time deal with the issues of climate change.”
Innovation Zero, a two-day international clean tech forum, will bring together policymakers, executives, innovators and investors with the aim of matching companies with viable solutions to bring the UK and the world to net zero by 2050 with the investors who have the funds to make those solutions a reality.
The range of solutions on display is expected to run the gamut of human activity, as well as address the need for clean sources of energy.
The event is also taking place less than six months before the Cop28 meeting in the UAE in November, where delegates will seek to examine global progress under the Paris Accords.“
The origin of it was that we felt that people were complaining too much about the cost of decarbonisation and not looking enough at the opportunities that it would bring, particularly opportunities in technology, for us to be able to answer the challenges that we face without unduly penalising our people,” said Dr Fox.
“And that requires more investment into the areas of technology and that's the sort of thing we'll be exploring this week – things like sustainable aviation fuel and how, therefore, we're able to maintain people's ability to travel, without damaging the environment.
“This is a much more practically focused, rather than politically focused event, which showcases what we in this country and in other countries are able to do to work together.”
'Opportunity, not a problem'
Matching the cash with the creators is seen as crucial during Innovation Zero as, without funding, a bright idea remains just that.
“Innovation Zero brings together trade and investment, finance, energy and environmental specialists and puts them alongside the best of our innovators and businesses who see decarbonisation as an opportunity, not a problem,” said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“It is through creative thinking and action like this that we will create the jobs and prosperity on which we all depend, while providing the technological solutions to the climate change challenge we all face.”
The policymakers speaking at the event include Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden; Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development; Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN climate change high-level champion for Egypt; and Husain Al Meer, director of global offshore wind and UK at Masdar.
There will be no shortage of investors keen to put their money into clean tech innovations. Among those attending will be representatives of the UAE-UK Business Council and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
“It's a high-level group of people who all have one thing in common, which is they believe that the answer to our problems lies in tech,” Dr Fox said.
Solutions, not problems
The tech companies and innovators that will attend the Innovation Zero event span a huge range of projects, products and initiatives.
Across eight stages, 350 speakers will address a range of practical issues including decarbonisation, the quest for green aviation fuel, the role of vertical farming in food security and the latest innovations in the fields of solar and wind technology.
In addition, 220 exhibitors will be displaying the tech products at the forefront of the fight against climate change and global warming.
The 10,000 members of the public expected to visit the event at Olympia will be able to do so free of charge.
For example, Emnandi Bioplastics, a company that makes biodegradable and compostable plastic, and Green Lithium, which is building the UK’s first large-scale merchant lithium refinery, will be in attendance.
Also attending the event will be representatives from Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, which is developing a the world’s first zero-emission certified passenger aircraft that runs on hydrogen, as well as Zero Petroleum, which is building a facility to produce zero-emission aviation fuel.
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Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
