Efforts to limit global temperature rises are at the heart of crunch Cop28 negotiations. Pawan Singh / The National
Efforts to limit global temperature rises are at the heart of crunch Cop28 negotiations. Pawan Singh / The National
Efforts to limit global temperature rises are at the heart of crunch Cop28 negotiations. Pawan Singh / The National
Efforts to limit global temperature rises are at the heart of crunch Cop28 negotiations. Pawan Singh / The National

As Cop28 enters final days, where do the critical negotiations stand?


Daniel Bardsley
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Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28

As Cop28 negotiations continue, it looks like key areas of discussion could be difficult to resolve.

And, if previous Cop summits are anything to go by, there could be an extension on Tuesday's scheduled deadline.

The global stocktake will take centre stage, which assesses where the world is on climate change and what needs to happen now.

The crunch point is what the text will – or won’t – say about dealing with fossil fuels.

Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed
Bob Ward

A draft text published on Friday indicated that five options were being considered, including phasing out of all fossil fuels in line with scientific recommendations.

Intermediate options include a complete phasing out of fossil fuels, which would allow their continued burning, as long as emissions were captured.

The EU has previously announced its desire for there to be a commitment to "phase out" fossil fuels, as has the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which represents some of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

And Bob Ward, from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment in the UK, said Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber was keen for progress to be made on the subject.

"I think the Presidency of Dr Sultan Al Jaber has been very active in laying out an ambitious agenda, has been trying to drive for an ambitious outcome," Mr Ward told The National.

"The Cop Presidency, it’s a difficult job. You’re trying to co-ordinate 197 countries. It often means long, hard days, lack of sleep, a lot of pressure."

Bob Ward, of the Grantham Research on Climate Change and the Environment. Photo: The National
Bob Ward, of the Grantham Research on Climate Change and the Environment. Photo: The National

Mr Ward said that the UAE itself wanted to deal with climate change because it was as much affected by it "as any other country".

"They can see the impact in this region," he added. "Dr Sultan Al Jaber has credibility on this issue. I think he is seriously committed."

Mr Ward added that adaptability is now key, as negotiators enter the latter stages of the conference.

"Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed," he said.

"There’s unofficial linkages. Some countries are obstructive in some areas in order to leverage influence in other areas.

  • Delegates on the 11th day of the Cop28 summit at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Delegates on the 11th day of the Cop28 summit at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cop28 is scheduled to conclude at 11am on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Cop28 is scheduled to conclude at 11am on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, addresses a press conference on agriculture on the 11th day of Cop28 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, addresses a press conference on agriculture on the 11th day of Cop28 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Activists called for a ceasefire in Gaza and measures to protect the climate on the 10th day of the summit. Pawan Singh / The National
    Activists called for a ceasefire in Gaza and measures to protect the climate on the 10th day of the summit. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors walk in the Green Zone, in Expo City Dubai’s Sustainability District. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors walk in the Green Zone, in Expo City Dubai’s Sustainability District. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Models take part in the Sustainable Fashion Show held on the seventh day of the summit at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Models take part in the Sustainable Fashion Show held on the seventh day of the summit at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The summit heard from indigenous peoples, many of whom inhabit island nations and contribute the least to greenhouse emissions. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The summit heard from indigenous peoples, many of whom inhabit island nations and contribute the least to greenhouse emissions. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell speaks to the media on the 12th day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell speaks to the media on the 12th day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • About 70,000 participants are attending the two-week event. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    About 70,000 participants are attending the two-week event. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The last two scheduled days of the summit have been left clear for final negotiations. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The last two scheduled days of the summit have been left clear for final negotiations. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Wake Up experience with Sadhguru, on the sixth day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Wake Up experience with Sadhguru, on the sixth day of Cop28. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Activists from youth organisation Engajamundo stage a protest about smog caused by deforestation in the Amazon. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Activists from youth organisation Engajamundo stage a protest about smog caused by deforestation in the Amazon. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Lights shine from Al Wasl Dome at Expo City Dubai. AP
    Lights shine from Al Wasl Dome at Expo City Dubai. AP
  • Delegates arrive for a meeting at the Cop28 summit. AP
    Delegates arrive for a meeting at the Cop28 summit. AP
  • Cop28 attendees visit British artist Michael Pinsky's Pollution Pods, which replicate the air quality in Beijing, London and New Delhi, at Expo City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Cop28 attendees visit British artist Michael Pinsky's Pollution Pods, which replicate the air quality in Beijing, London and New Delhi, at Expo City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Delegates on the 10th day of the Cop28 UAE at the Expo City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Delegates on the 10th day of the Cop28 UAE at the Expo City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry, left, hands over the gavel to Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber at the UN climate conference's opening ceremony. AFP
    Cop27 President Sameh Shoukry, left, hands over the gavel to Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber at the UN climate conference's opening ceremony. AFP
  • World leaders on day two of Cop28 in Dubai. Reuters
    World leaders on day two of Cop28 in Dubai. Reuters
  • From left, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for a group photo. AFP
    From left, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for a group photo. AFP
  • King Charles III with King Abdullah II of Jordan during the opening ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit at Cop28. PA
    King Charles III with King Abdullah II of Jordan during the opening ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit at Cop28. PA
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

"Adaptation is a key issue, particularly for the most vulnerable countries. They’re dealing with it right now."

Mr Ward said finding agreement on adaptation was "even more critical" than the setting up of the fund for the loss and damage caused by climate change.

This fund, initiated at Cop27 in Egypt last year but with its first funding announcements made at Cop28, has been seen as a key early success of this year’s gathering in Dubai.

While nations with major fossil fuel interests are thought likely to push back against tougher language on fossil fuels in the final text, it is understood that negotiations are continuing in a constructive manner.

One possible area of agreement between major emitters, such as the US and China, may involve commitments to expanding renewables being tied to the phasing down of fossil fuels.

The idea of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) underpins many discussions on climate change, reflecting the reality that not all countries are equally responsible for causing climate change, nor have equal means to deal with it or to transition their economies to greener technology.

While acknowledging that different countries will have to move at different speeds when it comes to limiting emissions, some developed countries are nonetheless reluctant for a binary division between the nearly 200 nations involved in the process to emerge.

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Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)

Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City

Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)

Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

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Find the right policy for you

Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.

Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.

Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.

Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.

If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.

Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.

Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”

PFA Premier League team of 2018-19

Allison (Liverpool)

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)

Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Match info

Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')

Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')

Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
Hamilton profile

Age 32

Country United Kingdom

Grands Prix entered 198

Pole positions 67

Wins 57

Podiums 110

Points 2,423

World Championships 3

NBA Finals so far

(Toronto lead 3-1 in best-of-seven series_

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m

10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m

Updated: December 10, 2023, 3:22 AM