A flare to burn methane from oil production near Watford City, North Dakota. The oil and gas industry's Cop28 methane pledge has been praised, but concerns linger about its implementation. AP
A flare to burn methane from oil production near Watford City, North Dakota. The oil and gas industry's Cop28 methane pledge has been praised, but concerns linger about its implementation. AP
A flare to burn methane from oil production near Watford City, North Dakota. The oil and gas industry's Cop28 methane pledge has been praised, but concerns linger about its implementation. AP
A flare to burn methane from oil production near Watford City, North Dakota. The oil and gas industry's Cop28 methane pledge has been praised, but concerns linger about its implementation. AP

Energy industry urged to take swift measures with methane pledge


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Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28

The oil and gas industry's pledge at the Cop28 climate conference to reduce methane emissions has been hailed as a positive step for climate action, but concerns loom large over its implementation amid calls for swifter measures.

On Saturday, 50 oil and gas companies, including Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil and Shell, signed the Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), which calls for net-zero emissions by 2050 or before and near-zero upstream methane emissions by the end of the decade.

“It's an impressive achievement to bring together so many companies, including several national and US oil companies, which did not previously have net-zero goals,” Robin Mills, chief executive of Qamar Energy, told The National.

“It's essential that we now see rapid progress on the 2030 methane commitments.”

After carbon dioxide emissions, methane is the second-largest contributor to climate change, caused by humans. It is a greenhouse gas that warms up more than 80 times faster than carbon dioxide.

Reducing the international output of methane emissions is the most effective and least disruptive way to slow down the increase in global temperatures over the next few decades, climate experts say.

The oil and gas industry is estimated to account for up to a quarter of human-caused methane emissions.

Several environmental groups and think tanks have criticised the latest pledge from the fossil fuel industry for not going “far enough”.

“The OGDC is voluntary and doesn’t go anywhere near far enough in its scope by focusing on operations only,” said Helen Harwatt, senior research fellow in the environment and society centre at Chatham House.

“Also, having a goal for reducing emissions intensity doesn’t necessarily translate into an absolute emissions reduction if there isn’t a target for that too.”

Melanie Robinson, global climate programme director at the World Resources Institute, said it was “encouraging” to see some national oil companies set methane reduction targets for the first time.

“However, most global oil and gas companies already have stringent requirements to cut methane emissions. Strong measures to verify progress are crucial to holding oil and gas companies accountable,” Ms Robinson said.

On Saturday, a group of organisations, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Environmental Defence Fund, announced an initiative to track the progress of oil and gas companies in lowering emissions of the greenhouse gas.

The collaboration, which also includes the International Energy Agency, the UN Environment Programme and RMI, will provide data, policy and country-level engagement.

  • President Sheikh Mohamed and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hold a meeting at the Cop28 summit in Dubai. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hold a meeting at the Cop28 summit in Dubai. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
  • Participants walk among flagpoles on day four of the Cop28 summit in Dubai. Getty Images
    Participants walk among flagpoles on day four of the Cop28 summit in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair at the summit. AP
    Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair at the summit. AP
  • Joseph Vipond from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment crosses the Blue Zone. Getty Images
    Joseph Vipond from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment crosses the Blue Zone. Getty Images
  • David Miliband, president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, addresses a session at Cop28. Getty Images
    David Miliband, president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, addresses a session at Cop28. Getty Images
  • Delegates are photographed in the Blue Zone on the fourth day of Cop28. Pawan Singh / The National
    Delegates are photographed in the Blue Zone on the fourth day of Cop28. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Participants walk at Expo City Dubai. EPA
    Participants walk at Expo City Dubai. EPA
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Tanzanian President Samia Hassan and Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, attend the Reaching the Last Mile Forum held alongside Cop28. Reuters
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Tanzanian President Samia Hassan and Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, attend the Reaching the Last Mile Forum held alongside Cop28. Reuters
  • Cop28 visitors ride a train in the Green Zone at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Cop28 visitors ride a train in the Green Zone at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors in the Green Zone at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors in the Green Zone at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors ride an electric cart in the Green Zone. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors ride an electric cart in the Green Zone. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Located in the Sustainability District, the Green Zone will host a wide variety of events and workshops until the final day of Cop28 on December 12. Pawan Singh / The National
    Located in the Sustainability District, the Green Zone will host a wide variety of events and workshops until the final day of Cop28 on December 12. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors at the water feature in the Green Zone. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors at the water feature in the Green Zone. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Members of the public ride electric scooters in the Green Zone. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Members of the public ride electric scooters in the Green Zone. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • People arrive for the fourth day of the Cop28 summit at Expo City Dubai. EPA
    People arrive for the fourth day of the Cop28 summit at Expo City Dubai. EPA
  • A welcome sign at the Cop28 venue. AP
    A welcome sign at the Cop28 venue. AP
  • People walk through the site near Al Wasl Dome. AP
    People walk through the site near Al Wasl Dome. AP
  • Eleni Myrivili, global chief heat officer at UN Habitat, with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Indian social worker Reema Nanavaty at the Resilience Hub. AP
    Eleni Myrivili, global chief heat officer at UN Habitat, with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Indian social worker Reema Nanavaty at the Resilience Hub. AP
  • Al Gore, environmentalist and former US vice president, presents the Climate Trace global greenhouse gases emissions database on day four of Cop28. Getty Images
    Al Gore, environmentalist and former US vice president, presents the Climate Trace global greenhouse gases emissions database on day four of Cop28. Getty Images
  • Elizabeth Yee and John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, at a session at the US Centre. AP
    Elizabeth Yee and John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, at a session at the US Centre. AP
  • About 200 countries are taking part in the Cop28 talks. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    About 200 countries are taking part in the Cop28 talks. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Pope Francis records a video message to be broadcast during the inauguration of the Faith Pavilion, at Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican. Reuters
    Pope Francis records a video message to be broadcast during the inauguration of the Faith Pavilion, at Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican. Reuters
  • Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation, speaks at the Health Day opening session. Getty Images
    Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation, speaks at the Health Day opening session. Getty Images
  • Attendees arrive at the Cop28 summit. AP
    Attendees arrive at the Cop28 summit. AP
  • The Voice Action hub for peaceful protesters at Cop28, Expo City, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Voice Action hub for peaceful protesters at Cop28, Expo City, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Expo City farm, which will remain in operation after Cop28 ends. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Expo City farm, which will remain in operation after Cop28 ends. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The announcement at Cop28 is the latest in a series of actions taken at a global level to slash methane emissions.

In 2021, more than 150 countries participated in the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to achieve a reduction of methane emissions by at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030.

Addressing the pledge, Angela Wilkinson, secretary general and chief executive of the World Energy Council, said: “Let’s recognise this commitment as necessary and avoid perfection being the enemy of the good.”

“The debates about ‘phase down versus phase out’ reflect extreme polarisation of 'us versus them'. It might provide great theatre and headlines … but it is a most unhelpful leadership situation,” Ms Wilkinson told The National.

“Want it or not, the world needs more energy for sustainable development for decades to come,” she said.

The Cop28 event is happening against the backdrop of two major geopolitical conflicts, an economic slowdown and rising inequality, all of which have raised concerns about energy security in many countries.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year knocked off a large part of Europe’s gas supplies, prompting many countries to secure long-term natural gas agreements with the US and the Gulf.

That resulted in higher natural gas prices, forcing many developing economies to increase their purchases of coal.

Meanwhile, the IEA expects global demand for oil and gas to peak by 2030 amid rising adoption of renewable energy technology and electric vehicles.

In a report last month, the agency said that with geopolitical instability and rising demand, some investment in the production of fossil fuels would be needed to ensure the security of energy supply.

“Prefer it or not, renewables need other clean energy and material friends to scale. Like it or not, not all energy needs and uses can be electrified,” Ms Wilkinson said.

Cutting oil and gas emissions from supply and use “as quickly as possibly” is essential, and it means putting in place more carbon capture solutions and transforming end uses and behaviours, she added.

The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 720hp

Torque: 770Nm

Price: Dh1,100,000

On sale: now

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Updated: December 03, 2023, 12:29 PM