Climate threats haunt GCC’s economy and finance
The GCC faces a critical challenge as climate risks like extreme heat and water stress rise, potentially impacting the region's...
Economy
Business
By 2030, TAQA targets a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
The strategy includes the national low-carbon power and water champion’s interim greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.
- The strategy includes the national low-carbon power and water champion’s interim greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals
- TAQA will focus on the decarbonisation power and water supply, electrification across sectors to support more efficient use of power and water
Business
5.3 billion cell phones to become waste in 2022
Defunct cell phones are just the tip of the 44.48-million-ton iceberg of global electronic waste generated annually that isn't recycled.
- Despite containing valuable gold, copper, silver, palladium and other recyclable components, these devices will be dumped or incinerated, causing environmental harm.
- Studies show 46 percent of the 8,775 households surveyed considered potential future use as the main reason for hoarding small electrical and electronic equipment.
Economy
UN says half the world unprepared for disasters
The UN agencies for weather and for disaster risk reduction found countries with poor early warning systems on average see...
- Proper early warning systems for floods, droughts, heatwaves, storms or other disasters allow for planning to minimize adverse impacts
- The number of people affected by disasters had doubled from an average of 1,147 per 100,000 per year between 2005 and 2014, to 2,066 from 2012 to 2021, the UN report said
Geostrategy
UN urges transformation of global energy system
Climate change risks undermining global energy security unless the use of renewables is dramatically scaled up, the UN warned Tuesday,...
- Energy sector is a major source of the carbon emissions that drive climate change, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said.
- WMO said that increasingly extreme weather events, droughts, floods and sea-level rise - all linked to climate change - were already making energy supply less reliable.
Geostrategy
US climate spending could spark tariff war, says Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized US climate protection plans that would shield domestic companies from foreign competition, saying they could...
- European Union officials have in recent weeks spoken out against planned US tax credits for the domestic electric vehicle market.
- South Korea has also voiced its displeasure, calling the new rules favoring American e-cars a "betrayal".
Opinion
Debt financing in climate tech sector set to grow
In climate-related sectors, debt funding is becoming more prevalent outside of traditional project finance opportunities such as solar parks, wind...
- The debt financing universe has evolved over the last decade in response to this phenomenon and debt is no longer just the preserve of large technology companies.
- Lenders are increasingly active within the start up to unicorn universe alongside profitable software businesses. Also, lenders offer a wide range of hybrid financing solutions
Interview
Sustainability key focus of GCC automotive industry
Current trends in the automotive sector such as zero-emission vehicles and carbon-neutral manufacturing demonstrate the growing importance of sustainability, says...
- BMW Group is placing sustainability at the center of their strategic direction across all divisions, says a key BMW Group Middle East official
- By 2030, BMW will release around 10 million fully electric vehicles onto the roads, adds Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director at BMW Group Middle East
Science
‘Heatwave to make human life unsustainable in certain areas’
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Heatwaves will become so extreme in certain regions of the world within decades that human life there...
- Heatwaves are predicted to "exceed human physiological and social limits" in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and south and southwest Asia.
- "There are clear limits beyond which people exposed to extreme heat and humidity cannot survive," a report by the UN and Red Cross said.
Science
Protecting biodiversity is important, says Egyptian minister
Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said that protecting migratory birds and biodiversity is one of the global and regional...
- The conference aims to document mutual understanding between the energy sector and nature conservation organizations.
- Another aim is to strengthen relationship, understanding, and partnership between nature conservation, especially birds and energy infrastructure.
Science
DEWA invites proposals for work on sixth phase of solar park
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has invited international developers to send their Expressions of Interest (EOI) to implement the...
- The 900 MW sixth phase of the Solar Park will be implemented using photovoltaic solar panels.
- The production capacity of clean energy has reached about 12.1 percent of Dubai’s total energy mix.
Company News
Latest News
AI to contribute in enhancing low-emissions development
BONN, GERMANY - Artificial intelligence (AI) can make substantial contributions to climate-resilient and low-emissions development.UN Climate Change’s Initiative on Artificial...
Science
Global energy meet discusses way forward to net-zero emissions
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – High-level representatives from the member states of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), international organizations, experts...
Science
Climate ‘loss and damage’ fund tops UAE talks ahead of COP28
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Setting up a "loss and damage" fund for poorer nations hit by climate change dominated preliminary talks...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
COP28 wide open to private sector, says climate talks chief
ABU DHABI, UAE - Upcoming UN climate talks in Dubai will be open to the private sector on an unprecedented scale,...
- Sultan Al Jaber, the COP28 president has consistently tried to frame the climate crisis as an economic opportunity.
- He said about 70 ministers and 100 delegations are attending the two-day talks, more than double the usual number.
Geostrategy
1.5C goal on the line as countries gear up for key climate talks
Paris, France -- Facing record-shattering temperatures and a geopolitical tinderbox, countries are scrambling to lay the groundwork for crucial UN climate...
- Ministers meet next week in the United Arab Emirates to grapple with flashpoint issues, including the future of fossil fuels.
- Rich polluters are under pressure to finally meet their promise to provide $100 billion in funding by 2020 for poorer nations to prepare for climate extremes.
Economy
Buildings should absorb more carbon than they release
"Buildings should produce more clean energy than they consume. This transformation demands a reevaluation of our relationship with nature. Rather...
- Renowned architect and design innovator Michael Pawlyn emphasizes the need for net positive sustainability actions.
- The health of natural systems is pivotal for future progress, he adds during the recent Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed lecture.