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.
If you’re travelling from Dubai to London, your plans may be disrupted, London Heathrow Airport has closed for the entire day due to a fire that caused a major power outage and most flights to and from the destination will be rescheduled. As a result, all Emirates flights from Dubai to Heathrow on Friday, March 21, have been cancelled.
Disruption at Heathrow may last up to a week before returning to normal, according to Paul Charles, CEO of PC Agency, a leading travel consultancy based in London.
Emirates Flights Affected
EK001/002 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
EK029/030 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
EK031/032 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
EK003/004 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
EK005/006 (DXB-LHR-DXB)
Additionally, passengers connecting through Dubai onto Heathrow flights will not be accepted for travel until further notice.
What Should Affected Passengers Do?
If your flight has been cancelled, Emirates is offering rebooking options, allowing passengers to:
Fly to an alternative UK airport (such as Manchester or Gatwick).
Reschedule their flight to Heathrow on a later date.
If you booked directly with Emirates, you can manage your booking online. Those who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent for rebooking assistance.
Dubai Airports Confirms Flight Disruptions
Dubai Airports confirmed that eight outbound flights from DXB to LHR, along with one inbound flight, were cancelled. They advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates before heading to Dubai International Airport.
British Airways Also Cancels Flights
British Airways has also advised passengers not to travel to Heathrow on Friday. The airline is working on providing affected customers with alternative travel options for the next 24 hours.
Stay Updated
Passengers flying from Dubai to London should:
Check their flight status before heading to DXB.
Visit the Emirates website for rebooking options.
Stay in touch with their airline for further updates.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its partnership with Tabby, allowing customers to pay for services in interest-free instalments across all digital platforms. Previously available only via smart kiosks, the instalment option is now integrated into the RTA website, RTA app, and Nol Pay app. Residents can now split payments for over 170 services—including vehicle registration renewals, driving licence renewals, and traffic fines—into up to four instalments, making payments more manageable and accessible.
After initially introducing Tabby in its smart kiosks last year, RTA now allows customers to split payments into up to four instalments for 170 services, including vehicle and driving licence renewals, as well as traffic fines. Instalment options will also be available for purchasing vehicle number plates.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s Cashless Strategy and the leadership’s vision of a fully digital and smart government. By enhancing payment flexibility, it aims to improve customer satisfaction, increase digital adoption, and boost public revenue collection.
Tabby, which operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, is used by over 40,000 global brands and small businesses to offer interest-free payment solutions both online and in stores.
Fraudsters are exploiting the spirit of Ramadan by luring UAE residents into fake social media competitions and bogus charity appeals, Abu Dhabi Police have warned.
The scams, which promise cash prizes or claim to support charitable causes, are designed to trick victims into handing over personal and banking details. In some cases, criminals convince people they have won a competition before demanding a “processing fee” or sensitive information to claim the reward.
Authorities say scammers are also setting up fake donation links, posing as legitimate charities to con well-meaning residents out of their money.
Major General Mohammed Suhail Al Rashidi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, has urged the public to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of any competition or donation request, and never share confidential information online.
He added that anyone who suspects they have been targeted should report it immediately via the Abu Dhabi Police hotline on 800 2626, by SMS to 2828, or through www.aman.gov.ae.
