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.
Sharjah has launched a new sustainability campaign encouraging residents to swap single-use products for reusable alternatives as part of its efforts to create a cleaner and greener emirate.
Called ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, the initiative will run until December 31 to help individuals, families and businesses adopt environmentally friendly habits in their everyday lives.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is it all about?
The campaign focuses on reducing waste by encouraging people to replace disposable items with reusable alternatives.
It is part of Sharjah’s wider sustainability strategy and supports the UAE’s environmental goals by promoting responsible consumption and protecting natural resources.
How can residents help?
The campaign encourages simple everyday actions such as:
Carrying reusable shopping bags.
Using refillable water bottles.
Choosing reusable coffee cups.
Avoiding disposable cutlery and straws.
Using reusable food containers instead of single-use packaging.
Reducing unnecessary waste at home and work.
The idea is that small lifestyle changes, when adopted by many people, can have a significant environmental impact.
How will the campaign reach people?
Throughout the year, residents can expect to see:
Awareness campaigns on TV, radio and social media.
Educational programmes in schools and communities.
Interactive exhibitions and workshops.
Community events promoting sustainable living.
Distribution of reusable shopping bags at shopping centres.
The campaign is designed to engage people of all ages and make sustainable choices easier to understand and adopt.
Why is Sharjah focusing on single-use products?
Disposable products are one of the biggest contributors to household waste and environmental pollution.
Replacing them with reusable alternatives can help:
Reduce landfill waste.
Cut plastic pollution.
Conserve natural resources.
Lower carbon emissions linked to manufacturing disposable products.
Encourage more sustainable consumption habits.
Across the UAE, authorities have introduced measures to phase out many disposable products while encouraging businesses and consumers to adopt more sustainable alternatives.
Sharjah’s initiative complements these efforts by focusing on public awareness and long-term behavioural change.
The campaign highlights that sustainability doesn’t always require major lifestyle changes. Simple actions, such as bringing your own shopping bag or reusable water bottle, can collectively reduce waste and help protect the environment.
Motorists using the new Harbour West Car Park at Dubai Harbour can now pay parking charges directly through their Salik account, eliminating the need for paper tickets, cash or payment machines.
The new service, launched through a partnership between Salik and Shamal in collaboration with Parkonic, came into effect on July 13.
Here’s what drivers need to know.
How does the new Salik parking system work?
The system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify your vehicle when you enter and exit the car park.
Instead of taking a ticket or paying before leaving, the parking fee is automatically charged to your linked Salik account.
The process is completely contactless and requires no manual payment.
Where can you use it?
The service is currently available at the new Harbour West Car Park in Dubai Harbour.
The nine-storey facility offers:
845 parking spaces
Rooftop parking
Easy access to Dubai Harbour attractions
Who will benefit?
The car park is expected to serve visitors travelling to:
Dubai Harbour
Dubai Marina
Marina Walk
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
Dubai Media City
Dubai Internet City
The location is designed to accommodate both residents and tourists visiting one of Dubai’s busiest waterfront districts.
What are the benefits for drivers?
Using Salik for parking offers several advantages:
No paper parking tickets.
No cash payments.
No waiting at payment machines.
Faster entry and exit.
Automatic payment through your Salik account.
A smoother parking experience.
The system also helps reduce queues and improves traffic flow within the parking facility.
Is Salik becoming more than a toll system?
Yes.
While Salik is best known for collecting road tolls across Dubai, the company is gradually expanding into a broader digital mobility platform.
The addition of parking payments is part of Salik’s strategy to offer integrated transport and payment services beyond toll gates.
The partnership supports Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s smartest cities by making everyday transport services more seamless and digital.
For drivers, it means fewer payment steps, quicker exits from parking facilities and a more convenient experience, whether commuting or visiting popular destinations around Dubai Harbour.
The Palm Monorail has officially resumed operations after a six-month maintenance closure, once again providing residents and tourists with a quick and convenient way to travel across Palm Jumeirah.
The operator announced the reopening on social media, confirming that services are back on track following planned maintenance work that began in January.
The reopening restores an important transport link connecting some of Dubai’s most popular attractions, hotels and residential communities.
Route and stations
The elevated 5.5-kilometre monorail runs from Gateway Station at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis Aquaventure, with stops at several key destinations along the way.
Stations include:
Gateway Station
Palm Jumeirah Mall
Al Ittihad Park
Golden Mile Galleria
Atlantis Aquaventure
The journey provides easy access to shopping centres, beachfront resorts, entertainment venues and residential areas across the island.
Journey time
A complete trip from Gateway Station to Atlantis Aquaventure takes approximately nine minutes.
Travel time between individual stations is around three minutes, making it one of the fastest ways to get around Palm Jumeirah.
Ticket prices
Passengers can choose from several ticket options.
Current fares include:
Single journey: Dh10
Return ticket: Dh15
Family packages and unlimited travel passes are also available.
Tickets can be purchased online or through the Palm Monorail’s official booking channels.
Operating hours
The Palm Monorail operates daily with trains running every 15 minutes.
From Gateway Station:
First train: 9am
Last train: 9am
From Atlantis Aquaventure:
First train: 9:15am
Last train: 10am
With affordable fares, frequent departures and direct access to major attractions, the Palm Monorail service is expected to ease travel across one of Dubai’s most visited destinations.
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