Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is permanent representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency
January 26, 2024
The future of energy is clean. This is not simply a dream, a wish, or a hope. It is an absolute necessity. With global co-ordination, collaboration and commitments backed by investments, clean energy can be the unstoppable force that turns the tide on climate change.
With the clear commitments made by the global climate community to a transition away from fossil fuels, and the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge – both announced and fortified in binding language at Cop28 – we are on a pathway to a clean energy, net-zero future, with 1.5°C still within our sights.
Today, the imperative of our clean energy future is in the spotlight, as we observe the inaugural International Day of Clean Energy. This now-official UN observance day arrives on a note of both satisfaction and determination for the UAE.
Satisfaction because for more than two decades, the UAE has driven the clean and renewable energy agenda in the Middle East and beyond. As steadfast advocates and believers in the potential of the Earth’s natural resources as global energy solutions, we have invested, and continue to invest heavily, in the institutions, talent and technologies that have accelerated the capabilities and capacities of our local, regional and international renewable energy systems.
And that is why the UAE, alongside Panama and the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), threw its full weight behind bringing the International Day of Clean Energy Day to fruition.
The celebration of this day by the entire international community is symbolic of the galvanising and unifying role the UAE continues to play in driving collective commitments to realising a sustainable, net-zero future.
Irena director-general Francesco La Camera at the 26th meeting of the Irena Council in Abu Dhabi. Leslie Pableo / The National
Clean energy is the cornerstone of a sustainable future, bridging developmental gaps and opening up a wealth of social, economic and human development opportunities
And determination because we have ambitious targets and deadlines we cannot afford to miss. Thanks to the research and advocacy work done by Irena, the Cop28 Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge places the global community’s crosshairs on a target of triple global renewable energy capacity to more than 11,000 gigawatts by 2030. That is what is needed to ensure that we correct the course from our current trajectory of 2.6°C warming to the critical 1.5°C threshold.
At the same time, as we fast-track the energy transition and build clean and renewable energy capacities, we must also recognise a fundamental truth in the process. Access to clean energy is no longer a luxury; it is a fundamental human right, as the UN’s seventh Sustainable Development Goal makes clear. The necessity of clean energy for all cannot be overstated. Clean energy is the cornerstone of a sustainable future, bridging developmental gaps and opening up a wealth of social, economic and human development opportunities.
There are three further reasons why the world is increasingly focusing on clean energy.
First, clean energy represents the most environmentally friendly and economically viable alternatives to the energy system of today.
It plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary drivers of global warming.
Renewable energy and electrification can deliver up to 75 per cent of the energy-related CO2 emissions reductions needed to steer towards a 1.5°C pathway. At the same time, expanding renewable capacity threefold from today’s levels by the end of the decade, as the Renewables Pledge calls for, would avoid about 7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions between 2023 and 2030, according to the latest research.
Adopting clean energy means not only cleaner air but also a healthier environment and more sustainable resource utilisation. In the GCC states, solar photovoltaic energy has emerged as the most cost-effective option, underscoring the region’s commitment to sustainable practices. And, amid climbing fossil fuel prices, renewables are today the cheapest form of power.
Second, clean energy is imperative for sustainable development. It meets the growing energy demands of diverse economies and is especially vital for vulnerable areas such as refugee camps, informal settlements, and rural and remote communities. The UAE’s commitment to providing 80 per cent renewable energy in peacekeeping operations by 2030 is a testament to our dedication to sustainable development.
The shift to clean energy opens up a range of job opportunities. According to Irena’s “Renewable Energy and Jobs” report, global employment in the energy sector could rise to 139 million jobs by 2030, including nearly 75 million clean energy jobs. This transition is not just about changing how we power our world, it’s about economic transformation.
However, realising this vision requires international co-operation and strategic partnerships between the public and private sector. Increased financing for clean and renewable energy projects is vital. The UAE’s creation of the $30 billion Alterra fund for global climate solutions, announced at Cop28, is a prime example of our commitment to this cause.
The conditions, the solutions and the determination to realise our clean energy future are in place: it can purify our air, meet growing global energy demand, provide energy access to billions and deliver a secure resource future.
Now, we must meet this moment with a collective and binding will, across countries and continents. Let today, as the first International Day of Clean Energy, sound a clarion call to accelerate the energy transition as we chart a course towards a sustainable future paved and powered by clean energy infrastructure.
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
German intelligence warnings
2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
