Film star and environmental activist Daryl Hannah has praised Abu Dhabi for embracing renewable energy.
"Everyone has to look for what the solutions are," Ms Hannah said at the summit. "Information is key. We cannot make wise decisions if we don't know what is out there.
"You are stuck if you think you don't have any choice, the information is there – but it's still hard to decipher."
Ms Hannah started to adopt a more environmentally friendly approach to life 20 years ago. She took her house off the national power grid in favour of solar energy and used biofuels and vegetable oil in her cars.
One is a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino pickup truck and the other is the 1979 Pontiac Trans Am she drove in Kill Bill, which she described as "badass pinup" for biodiesel.
Ms Hannah has been arrested five times for her environmental activism, most recently in August last year for protesting against an oil pipeline designed to bring crude oil from Canada to Texas.
She said most people she knew who behaved in an environmentally responsible way did so because it lowered the cost of living.
"The truth is, the fuel I get for my car, which is from remediated sewage, is a dollar less than the gasoline at the pump," Ms Hannah said. "It would be $3 less if I made it myself."
The actress said she was angry with corporations that were more interested in "branding and marketing" sustainability, and making it seem exclusive rather than incorporating it into their business ethic.
She said this had created a backlash among less well-off people, who "cannot afford to spend an entire paycheque at Wholefoods".
Consumers have a responsibility to ensure corporations were accountable and to make sure businesses took notice of good customers, Ms Hannah said.
This is her first trip to Abu Dhabi and she praised the emirate's efforts to diversify from oil and gas to renewable sources of energy.
"From what I understand, in this part of the world they are already making a switch to solar power and then saving the oil that they pump to sell to other countries who are still hooked to the drip," she said. "That is already a very smart move."
Ms Hannah said another important source of energy was waste.
lgutcher@thenational.ae
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
