• OPEC chief calls for more investments in oil industry to meet energy demand

    Abu Dhabi, UAE--The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has called for increased investments in the oil industry to meet global energy demands and sustain economic growth. According to its secretary general, Haitham Al Ghais, these investments are crucial for ensuring reliable energy supplies for current and future generations....
  • COP hosts UAE, Azerbaijan, Brazil pledge stronger climate action

    Paris, France--Past and future hosts of the UN climate negotiations the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Brazil announced Wednesday they would cut their own emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Nations have been under pressure to keep this warming limit alive by pledging to accelerate their...
  • Planet ‘on the brink’, with new heat records likely in 2024: UN

    The annual State of the Climate report by the UN weather and climate agency confirmed preliminary data showing 2023 was by far the hottest year ever recorded. And last year capped off "the warmest 10-year period on record", the World Meteorological Organization said, with even hotter temperatures expected.
  • Climate change undermines global security, says NATO chief

    Baku, Azerbaijan--NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday stressed the need to fight global warming, and called climate change a "crisis multiplier" with implications for global security. He made the remarks during a press conference in Baku along with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, whose energy-rich country is set to host the...
  • Women, rural poor most affected by climate change, says UN

    PARIS, FRANCE – Heatwaves and floods inflict greater economic pain on rural women than men because climate change intensifies existing inequalities, the United Nations' food and farming agency said on Tuesday. Scientists say the effects of rising temperatures are already being felt most acutely by the poorest and most vulnerable people...
  • UN chief slams ‘distressing’ spending on arms over climate

    Without action, "the situation will deteriorate," he warned. "Conflicts are multiplying. The climate crisis is set to spiral, as emissions continue to rise. And acute food insecurity has been increasing year on year."
  • EU adopts fallow land exemption after farmer protests

    Brussels, Belgium - The European Commission on Tuesday officially extended an exemption from contested rules to leave a share of agricultural lands fallow, which had become a flashpoint for protesting farmers across the bloc. First lifted in 2023 in response to market disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rules...
  • Barclays bank to stop financing new oil, gas projects

    London, United Kingdom -- British bank Barclays said Friday it would stop directly financing its energy clients' new oil and gas projects, but still ran into fierce criticism from campaigners who said the moves don't far enough. As part of its updated climate strategy, the bank added it would scale back...
  • Tata Steel to slash 2,800 UK jobs

    Tata Steel employs about 8,000 staff in the United Kingdom.
  • Middle East needs strong Saudi Arabia, says kingdom’s finance minister

    Dubai, UAE-- Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the Middle East needs a strong Saudi Arabia to contribute and that the future outlook looked positive despite recent shocks. The minister was speaking at Davos in a session titled "Saudi Arabia: Continuing Efforts towards a More Sustainable Economy". Al-Jadaan said...
  • UAE looks to support farmers to boost sustainability of food sector

    Dubai, UAE--The UAE leadership places utmost importance on supporting farmers to enhance the sustainability of the agricultural and food sector, ensure national food security and address climate change, according to Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. She was speaking at the ninth meeting of the...
  • COP28 last chance to keep 1.5C target alive: John Kerry

    US climate envoy issued the warning after COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber proposed a draft deal that did not include a phase-out of fossil fuels, disappointing the United States, the European Union and low-lying islands most vulnerable to climate change. Kerry told ministers that many participants have called for the...
  • COP28 focused on achieving balanced package in negotiations: Majid Al Suwaidi

    Dubai, UAE-- The COP28 Presidency is focused on achieving a balanced package in the negotiations, according to Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director-General and Special Representative, noting that they hosted a stocktaking plenary to outline progress made at the technical level and hear feedback on building areas of convergence. During...
  • Saudis, Iraq stand firm as COP28 mulls phase-out of fossil fuels

    With less than 48 hours left before the conference's official end, COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber invited ministers to give their views in a "majlis" -- a traditional Gulf Arab meeting held in a circle. While Jaber called the gathering in an effort to produce a compromise, warning that "failure...
  • NEOM launches ‘Topian’ to ensure climate-proof agriculture in Saudi

    NEOM, Saudi Arabia: NEOM, a mega-city project in Saudi Arabia characterized by futuristic urban planning and advanced technologies, Sunday announced the launch of Topian, the NEOM Food Company. Neom said in a statement that Topian seeks to redefine food production, distribution, and consumption through the creation of sustainable and innovative food...
  • UAE to tie up with ACSAD to achieve zero neutrality by 2050

    Dubai, UAE--The Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) will partner with the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to realise the country's vision of reaching zero neutrality by 2050, according to a senior official of the Damascus-based centre. “As an Arab organisation...
  • COP28 chief urges nations to reach climate compromise

    Setting the ambitious goal of having a deal in place by Tuesday, the last day of the conference, Sultan Al Jaber exhorted the nearly 200 nations represented at COP28 to work with a "spirit of compromise", step out of their "comfort zones and find common ground to deliver a high...
  • Arab Coordination Group allots US$10bn to support energy transition

    Dubai, UAE--The Arab Coordination Group (ACG), a strategic alliance comprising regional and international development institutions, announced at COP28 an allocation of US$10 billion until 2030. This funding is meant to drive a comprehensive and affordable transition to renewable energy in developing countries. The commitment is an integral part of a...
  • Global Fund to allot 70% of its funding to countries hit by climate change

    Dubai, UAE--The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) announced at COP28 that more than 70% of its funding, equivalent to more than $9 billion, will be spent over the next three years in favour of the countries most affected by climate change, with the aim of...
  • UAE’s ENEC signs MoU with TerraPower for nuclear-technology development

    Dubai, UAE--The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with TerraPower, an American nuclear innovation company, to collaborate in various areas of technological development. The MoU was signed during COP28 by Ahmed Al Mazroui, Nuclear Research and Development Vice President of ENEC, and Chris Levesque, President...
  • UAE and Turkmenistan pledge to ramp up ties ‘in all fields’

    Dubai, UAE-- The UAE and Turkmenistan have agreed to enhance bilateral ties in all fields, particularly in the development sectors, in the "interests of the two friendly countries and peoples." The resolve to boost ties was expressed during a meeting between UAE's vice president Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Turkmenistan...
  • UAE president and UN chief discuss ‘collective action’ to address climate challenges

    Dubai, UAE-- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and UN Secretary General António Guterres discussed the importance of the conference in enhancing international collective action to address climate challenges in a manner that serves humanity and future generations. The meeting between the two took place at the ongoing UN Climate...
  • No science that oil phase-out will fix climate: COP28 chief

    Sultan Al Jaber -- who also heads state oil giant ADNOC -- made the comments during a testy exchange with former Irish leader Mary Robinson during an online forum. The 50-year-old, who is also the United Arab Emirates' climate envoy, added that removing fossil fuels would take the world "back...
  • COP28 unveils oil and gas ‘Decarbonisation Charter’ to speed up climate action

    Dubai, UAE--The COP28 Presidency Saudi Arabia have launched a landmark Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), a global industry charter dedicated to speeding up climate action and achieving high-scale impact across the oil and gas sectors. To date, 50 companies, representing more than 40 percent of global oil production have...
  • Israel’s goal to destroy Hamas risks decade of war: Macron

    Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN's COP28 climate talks in Dubai, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the "Israeli authorities" will have to define their objective and desired end state more precisely. He warned that its aim of destroying the Palestinian movement could unleash a...
  • World Bank allots 45% of its financing to climate projects

    The bank, according to a statement, "is putting to work more than $40 billion", around $9 billion more than previously programmed. In 2021, the bank announced a goal to reach an average of 35 percent by 2025 and is currently ahead of schedule, running at an average of 36.3 percent...
  • Climate and Gaza crises share spotlight as world leaders attend COP28

    The spotlight now turns to more than 140 kings, presidents and prime ministers who will address delegates at the sprawling Expo City Dubai complex on Friday and Saturday. Britain's King Charles III will kick off those addresses, followed by leaders from nations including the likes of Brazil, Kenya, Tonga and...
  • Oil industry faces moment of truth as clean energy transitions advance: IEA

    Paris, France--Oil and gas producers face pivotal choices about their role in the global energy system amid a worsening climate crisis fuelled in large part by their core products, according to a major new special report from the IEA. The report shows how the industry can take a more responsible...
  • IEA urges oil firms to pour half their investments into clean energy by 2030

    Paris, France--The International Energy Agency on Thursday called on oil and gas companies to devote half of their investments to clean energy by 2030, urging them to face a "moment of truth" at next week's COP28, the largest UN climate change conference ever held. The IEA urged producers to make the...
  • UAE unveils ‘roadmap’ to reduce food waste by 50 percent

    Dubai, UAE--In order to reduce food loss and waste by 50 percent, the UAE has launched Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap, looking to achieve the target by 2030. The project was unveiled by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment The roadmap was announced...
  • Biden, Xi set for high-stakes summit

    San Francisco, US - US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will try to prevent the superpowers' rivalry spilling into conflict when they meet for the first time in a year at a high-stakes summit in San Francisco on Wednesday. With tensions soaring over issues including Taiwan, sanctions and...
  • UAE exhorts UNESCO members to join COP28 ‘climate efforts’

    Paris, France-- The UAE has made a fervent appeal to members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to join the country and its group of friends to lead climate efforts on the occasion of the UAE hosting COP28 in Expo City Dubai from 30th November to...
  • 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 talks next month tasked with salvaging global warming goals laid out in the landmark Paris deal. Ministers meet next week in the United Arab Emirates to grapple with flashpoint issues,...
  • UAE and Brazil discuss boosting trade, energy, strategic ties

    Brasilia, Brazil-- The UAE and Brazil have explored opportunities to develop cooperation in trade, energy and climate issues in a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, and Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, in the capital, Brasilia. The meeting,...
  • UAE and Barbados look to deepen trade, energy ties

    Bridgetown, Barbados-- The UAE and Barbados have discussed prospects for bolstering bilateral cooperation, particularly in climate action and renewable energy, besides looking to boost economic and trade ties between the two countries. The subject was discussed in a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs...
  • Morocco looks to become key player in green hydrogen

    According to the country's economy minister, around 1.5 million acres of public land -- nearly the size of Kuwait -- have been set aside for green hydrogen and ammonia plants. Morocco is looking to become North Africa's top player in the emerging "green hydrogen" sector, with plans to export the...
  • UAE and India look to boost ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’

    New York, US-- The UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed has held talks with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, and pledged to further develop cooperation as part of the two countries' strategic partnership. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United...
  • Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia restart Nile dam talks

    The massive $4.2-billion dam built by Ethiopia has stoked tensions with Egypt and Sudan as they fear the dam will severely reduce their share of Nile water. Both nations have repeatedly asked Addis Ababa to stop filling it until an agreement has been reached. The talks are expected to pave...
  • Climate action an opportunity to create more equitable world: Almheiri

    Dubai, UAE-- Terming climate action as an opportunity to create a more equitable and sustainable world, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE's Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, believes it is a chance to raise living standards, "create new jobs and vibrant new industries, strengthen our bond with nature, and...
  • Aid groups warn of outbreak of disease in Libya after floods

    Several aid organizations have warned of the outbreak of disease in the port city of Derna, after Sunday's flood submerged it, washing thousands of people and homes out to sea. The flooding left behind a trail of devastation after two upstream dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered...
  • Emirates NBD Group invests in sustainability startup Erguvan

    Dubai, UAE - Emirates NBD made an investment in Erguvan, a climate and financial technology venture aimed at providing financial institutions and corporations with digital infrastructure, enabling them to manage the impacts and risks of climate change. The investment was made via Deniz Ventures, an investment fund launched by DenizBank...
  • 70% of jet fuels at EU airports will have to be green by 2050

    Brussels, Belgium--On Wednesday, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) approved a new law to increase the uptake of sustainable fuels, such as advanced biofuels or hydrogen, in the aviation sector. The RefuelEU aviation rules are part of the “Fit for 55 package”, the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by...
  • UAE and Germany hold workshop on hydrogen strategies, carbon markets

    Abu Dhabi, UAE-- Looking to exchange expertise and explore potential synergies in hydrogen and carbon trading, an industry workshop was organized under the Emirati-German Energy and Climate Partnership. The workshop was organized by the UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate...
  • IMF head urges G20 leaders to deliver promised US$100bn for climate finance

    New Delhi, India-- Appealing to G20 members to lead by example in delivering on the promise of US$100 billion per year for climate finance, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has underscored the need for cohesive effort to prevent grave risks to economic well-being and macro-financial stability from...
  • Oil companies pay Insta, TikTok influencers for ads

    Online celebrities best known for posting about video games are also dropping in unexpected plugs for gasoline stations, fuel rewards and club cards. In India, Mexico, South Africa and the United States many spots were found that promoted major oil firms such as BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies on...
  • Bahrain to partner with private sector to ramp up investments in oil projects

    Manama, Bahrain--Bahrain has indicated its keenness to encourage investments in the kingdom's oil and environmental projects through partnerships with the private sector, especially banks, to achieve sustainable development goals. Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Oil and Environment Minister, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, has affirmed the government’s keenness to...
  • At meeting in Canada, global fund launched to protect nature

    The fund's capitalization follows a global "peace pact" signed by more than 190 nations at the Montreal COP 15 summit in December 2022 to protect nature and reverse decades of environmental destruction threatening the world's species and ecosystems. That deal pledged to secure 30 percent of the planet as a...
  • UAE vows to allow ‘peaceful’ assembly of climate activists at COP28

    The UAE, set to host COP28 from November to December in the business hub of Dubai, requires official permission for protests but effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive. At the upcoming UN climate talks "there will be space available for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard", it...
  • UK to issue hundreds of new oil and gas drilling licenses in North Sea

    The announcement has angered environmental groups and comes amid an internal debate within the ruling Conservative party on green policies. (AFP) The main opposition Labour party has said it will not issue any new North Sea drilling licenses if it regains power in a general election due next year.
  • UAE urges collective action for sustainable development at G20 ministers meeting in India

    DUBAI, UAE – UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri highlighted the importance of collective action and collective finance to strengthen sustainable development. She also called upon G20 countries to fulfill their commitment to providing the pledged financial support for global climate initiatives. Almheiri addressed...
  • COP28 president urges G20 to take lead role on climate action

    Speaking at G20 Climate Sustainability Ministerial Meeting in India, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said G20 makes up some 85 percent of the world's GDP and contributes 80 percent to emissions. He appealed to the audience to work with "your leaders to drive global climate action in this critical decade."