Digitalization has high environmental costs, says UNCTAD meet
DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate...
Geostrategy
UAE witnesses 7% rise in youth green skills in 2023
“We will work to create about 135,000 jobs in the field of green transition worldwide, and therefore ensuring that there...
Economy
Russia vetoes UN resolution on climate change as global security threat
China abstained, while India voted against, arguing that global warming was chiefly an issue related to economic development, rather than...
- China abstained, while India voted against, arguing that global warming was chiefly an issue related to economic development, rather than international security
- The resolution had called on the UN chief to report within two years "on the security implications" of climate change on issues addressed by the Security Council
Economy
Jordan, Netherlands sign €5m rainwater pact
The project aims to devise proper legislation, and setting up of rainwater harvesting catchment areas as well as smart farms.
- The project comprises 4 main components with the aim of devising proper legislation, and setting up of rainwater harvesting catchment areas as well as smart farms
- In a statement, secretary-general of the water ministry Jihad Mahamid stressed that Jordan is a global "trailblazer" in rainwater harvesting projects
Business
African migrants fuel recycling in Turkey capital Istanbul
Afghans have joined Kurds, the Laz, Roma and other ethnic minorities and undocumented migrants in doing work others snub. For...
- Diving headfirst into dumpsters, these migrants dig up plastic bottles, glass, and other waste they then sort and sell in bulk
- This is a self-organized, unregulated business that keeps the city clean, and these impoverished people fed
Turkey pledges to protect Mediterranean Sea
Turkey, the last G20 country that ratified the Paris climate agreement, faces criticism for how it treats its water.
- Microplastics pollution in the Mediterranean Sea poses a threat to marine life
- Turkey’s southern shores on the Sea of Marmara has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’
Business
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain review ways to boost ties
The two countries are seeking to establish a regional complex for the extraction, use, and storage of carbon.
- The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on international climate policies
- They will also look to focus on emissions rather than sources through the application of the Circular Carbon Economy approach
Economy
Dubai’s carbon emissions have fallen by 22 percent in 2019
Dubai's carbon emissions have fallen by 22 percent in 2019, reflecting the efforts made by its strategic partners to support...
- Dubai Supreme Council of Energy discusses a resolution to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
- The meeting also discussed the implementation of a resolution to regulate district cooling services in Dubai.
Business
Central Bank of Jordan joins network of 100 central banks in green finance pursuit
The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a network of 100...
- The network is pursuing a better global response and delivery of the Paris and Glasgow climate agreements, said the bank.
- Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the Arab world due to its small population.
Science
Carbon capture tech finally gaining speed: IEA
For net-zero, carbon-capture tech cannot spend another decade on the sidelines of climate mitigation efforts, said the IEA.
- Carbon-capture tech and facilities say a stagnation, and even regression, from 2010 to 2017
- However, 2021 has seen many countries and organizations promising to scale up the technology due to their net-zero pledges
Science
US Climate Envoy John Kerry in UAE for ‘Project Prosperity’
The UAE, Jordan, and Israel have committed themselves to building renewable electricity and water desalination capacity and address the threat...
- the three signed a declaration of intent at the UAE Leadership Pavilion at Dubai Expo, which was witnessed by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber
- The declaration of intent consists of two interdependent and contingent components
Economy
Iranians protest against water crisis caused by dried-up river
"Thousands of people from Isfahan, farmers from the east and west of the province, have gathered in the dry Zayandeh...
- The massive protest was the biggest since demonstrations over the water crisis started on November 9
- The Iranian government has promised to come to the aid of farmers and resolve the crisis
Digitalization has high environmental costs, says UNCTAD meet
DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate...
Geostrategy
Company News
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IDB inks pact with IRENA
Business
150 dead in Libya after storm Daniel results in floods
"At least 150 people were killed as a result of flooding and torrential rains left by storm Daniel in Derna,...
Geostrategy
Countries must cooperate to battle sandstorm threat, say UN, Iran
Countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia must work together to combat sand and dust storms made increasingly severe...
Geostrategy
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IMF, World Bank vow to address climate change threat at G20
The leaders of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced that the two institutions will collaborate more closely to...
- "Climate change is a threat to global peace, security, economic stability, and development," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and WB President Ajay Banga said
- The two leaders said both IMF and WB "need to help all our member countries integrate their climate and development goals"
Business
Masdar, Africa50 sign MoU
The aim is to speed up clean energy transition in Africa.
- Masdar brings its technical expertise and extensive experience in emerging markets and will work with Africa50 to bridge the infrastructure funding gap.
- Africa50 brings its skill in developing projects in the continent and which, combined with Masdar, can help unlock clean energy potential.
Syria’s ancient adobe houses threatened by war, displacement
"Village Umm Amuda Kabira in Aleppo once had 3,000 to 3,500 residents and some 200 mud houses," said Mahmud al-Mheilej,...
- Also known as "beehive houses", the conical adobe structures are designed to keep cool in the blazing desert sun while their thick walls also retain warmth in the winter
- Umm Amuda Kabira village in Aleppo province is among a handful of places where residents long used to live in the small domed houses, made of mud mixed with brittle hay