The UAE is fast-tracking low-carbon economic growth to deliver new jobs, new industries and new revenue streams, said Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
He was speaking at the Middle East and North Africa Climate Week (Menacw2022). Dr Al Jaber explained that the UAE is adopting a comprehensive, balanced and proactive approach to climate action and the energy transition that delivers sustainable economic growth.
“As a young country, and a responsible energy leader, the UAE has always faced the future with a positive mindset, and addressed challenges head-on. This is why we stopped flaring 30 years before the World Bank asked the industry to do so. It’s why we achieved 0.01 per cent methane intensity 20 years before the global pledge asking for a gradual reduction. It’s why we began to capture C02 (carbon dioxide) on an industrial scale before the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) called it an essential tool for de-carbonisation. And it’s why we became the first hydrocarbon producer to power our operations with zero-carbon energy,” Dr. Al Jaber added.
He pointed out that the UAE was also the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The UAE has chosen to lead in these areas because it views climate challenges “not just as problems to fix, but as opportunities to seize,” he underlined.
While the world mobilises investments for a new energy economy and addresses the climate challenge, Dr. Al Jaber emphasised that recent events have “reminded us that we cannot simply switch off the current energy system”.
“We all need to recognise that the energy transition will take time and require sober, thoughtful planning. It is more evident now than ever before that this cannot be rushed. The push to divest from hydrocarbons has led to a supply crunch that is having the biggest impact on the most exposed. The clear lesson is that we should not adopt climate policies that lead to energy poverty. We need to keep investing in low-cost, low-carbon energy that can provide the baseload power that the world relies on,” said Dr. Al Jaber.
He had reiterated this message during his speech at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum held at Expo 2020 Dubai.
On climate finance, he said it can be an effective tool for climate action as he urged the international community to do more and fulfil the $100 billion climate pledge made to developing nations over a decade ago.
“The international community continues to fall short of the $100 billion climate finance pledge they made to developing nations over a decade ago. We need bold targets going forward and we need to start treating climate risks as potential global security risks.
“We have taken a partnership approach focused on projects in countries most exposed to climate risks because we know that local resilience builds global resilience. We have provided over $1 billion in climate aid to more than 40 countries. And our experience tells us that once concessional finance is there, private finance will follow.”
He concluded by extending the UAE’s invitation to governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society to partner on solutions that make sense for our climate and the economy. He said, “We should not have to choose between the two. We can and we must make progress on both.”
The Mena Climate Week aims to accelerate collaboration and integrate climate action into global pandemic recovery. Other dignitaries present at the opening ceremony of this first edition included Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, minister of climate change and environment, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the World Green Economy Organisation (Wgeo) and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa); and Patricia Espinosa, E
executive secretary of UNFCCC.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he will step down as leader of the governing Labour Party and leave office within weeks, less than two years after leading Labour to a landslide election victory.
Starmer said he would remain as caretaker prime minister until Labour selects a new leader.
Click the link below to hear Keir Starmer’s resignation speech:
His departure follows mounting pressure within the party and comes days after Andy Burnham secured a key parliamentary victory, positioning himself as a potential challenger for the party leadership.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, an emotional Starmer said he had accepted the view of Labour lawmakers that the party needed new leadership ahead of the next general election.
Starmer’s popularity has fallen sharply since Labour’s decisive victory in July 2024, with critics pointing to sluggish economic growth, cost-of-living pressures and declining public support.
Burnham is now seen as a leading contender to succeed Starmer, although former health secretary Wes Streeting has also indicated he could enter a leadership contest.
Starmer leaves office after a turbulent period marked by domestic challenges but also international recognition for his support of Ukraine and efforts to navigate global crises.
Dubai is preparing to introduce official guidelines on public behaviour and celebrations as part of a broader initiative to strengthen its position as the world’s most civilised city.
The announcement was made during the fifth meeting of the Dubai Civility Committee, chaired by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office and Chairman of the Committee.
Among the key initiatives unveiled were the Dubai Civility Guidebook, which will provide a shared framework for conduct in public spaces, and Guidelines for Celebrating Different Occasions, aimed at ensuring that celebrations reflect the values, responsibilities and cultural identity of Dubai’s diverse community.
Public behaviour
Officials said the initiative goes beyond appearances, positioning civility as a comprehensive ecosystem that enhances quality of life, public behaviour, urban aesthetics and the overall experience of residents and visitors.
The committee also reviewed plans for an integrated lighting strategy designed to strengthen Dubai’s visual identity and create greater harmony across the cityscape. In addition, members discussed a comprehensive assessment framework to help establish standards for what Dubai describes as the world’s most civilised urban environment.
Al Gergawi said the emirate has already built a distinctive global model of civility under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with people and quality of life remaining at the centre of development efforts.
For years, motorists travelling between Sharjah and Dubai have faced some of the UAE’s longest daily traffic delays. Now, a major infrastructure programme announced by Sharjah is aiming to change that.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has unveiled a package of road projects worth Dh750 million that will introduce new routes into Dubai, expand key traffic corridors and create a direct underground link beneath one of Sharjah’s busiest intersections.
The flagship project is a tunnel that will pass underneath Al Taawun Roundabout, creating a dedicated route for vehicles heading towards Dubai through Al Nahda Bridge. The tunnel is expected to remove a significant volume of through-traffic from surface roads, helping ease congestion in an area that regularly experiences heavy peak-hour delays.
New corridor
Alongside the tunnel, Sharjah is building Noor Road, a new corridor that will connect Al Orooba Street directly with Dubai. Though the competition date is yet to be announced, Sheikh Dr Sultan said Noor Road is scheduled to open before the end of 2026 and is expected to provide motorists with an additional alternative to existing entry points between the two emirates.
The projects form part of a broader strategy to improve traffic across Sharjah’s eastern and central districts while strengthening links with Dubai. Road upgrades will focus on improving access between residential communities, commercial centres and major highways, creating a more efficient network for both daily commuters and businesses.
Transport challenges
Traffic between Sharjah and Dubai remains one of the UAE’s biggest transport challenges, with thousands of residents crossing emirate borders every day for work and education. Officials believe the new projects will help distribute traffic more evenly across the network, reduce pressure on existing bottlenecks and improve journey reliability.
Authorities say the investment is not solely about reducing congestion. The developments are also intended to support future urban growth and improve connectivity.
While construction timelines for some elements are still being finalised, Noor Road is expected to be operational by the end of next year, marking one of the first major milestones in the programme.
News7 months ago
Entertainment5 months ago
News6 months ago