Six months ago, at the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, there was a united and necessary buzz around the need for climate action, and for all countries to do more to avert an environmental catastrophe. Countries largely agreed to push their national targets higher, whether by vowing net neutrality by 2050 or by offsetting carbon scores. There was a widely felt agreement for individual nations to do more for the collective, long-term health of the planet.
But since February, with Ukraine and Russia dominating headlines, countries have had to understandably adjust their priorities. The pace of climate action talks has arguably slowed a notch to help avert a more immediate humanitarian catastrophe, which is inseparable also from a wheat shortage and a looming global food crisis.
But as the war in Europe will soon have been on for three months, having begun on February 24, the world cannot afford to indefinitely turn its back on climate action. Global leaders and executives who will meet at the annual World Economic Forum at Davos this week know this all too well.
Borge Brende, the WEF president, even called it the most complex geopolitical and geo-economic backdrop in decades – considering the Ukraine war, the climate emergency, a weakening outlook for global economic growth, inflation and the recovery from Covid-19 are among many of the world's current challenges.
The importance of leaders meeting at Davos goes some way to set a global agenda. US climate envoy John Kerry will be in attendance, as will environment ministers from around the globe to discuss more action on global warming. The WEF plays an important role in directing investors to pressing issues such as the environment that, perhaps, cannot realistically be countered without durable private-public partnerships and commitments to mitigate climate change.
As a reminder of the role all countries must play, just this past week at a conservation event in Dubai, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, said the global community had a "moral imperative" to protect the environment for future generations. And several projects are already under way as explained at the same event by Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, referencing the UAE's National Food Security Strategy, the National Strategy to Combat Desertification, and the UAE General Environmental Policy.
The UAE has been a keen advocate of climate action, evident not least in its pledge to achieve net zero by 2050, the first country in the region to do so, as well as the many crucial steps taken in that direction, and the position the country has earned to host next year's global climate summit Cop28.
Green goals are a clear priority in the UAE at the highest levels of governance. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan spoke last week of tackling climate change by pushing for a circular economy. The granddaughter of the late UAE president, Sheikh Khalifa, said she is committed to continuing the sustainability legacy started by her grandfather.
Everywhere in the world, climate action is on people's minds. In his election victory speech on Saturday, Australia's Prime Minister-elect, Anthony Albanese, pledged to turn things around in his country, one of the world’s biggest per capita carbon emitters. Mr Albanese’s Labour Party has promised a 43 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, significantly increasing the previous government's target of 26-28 per cent by 2050.
Across the world, hearteningly, there are positive signs that climate commitments could be on track for 2050. And even as it is not conceivable that massive national infrastructure overhauls, such as changes in energy generation, take place overnight or in short periods of time, it remains to be seen how much a forum such as the one in Davos this week can generate the will and the funds in the medium to long term to increased targets at an accelerated pace. Global stakeholders will need to unite and contribute to a crucial common cause – of effectively allowing for the planet to keep its cool. It is the path to ensure that future generations are indeed safeguarded.
AT%20A%20GLANCE
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Company%20Profile
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'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
More coverage from the Future Forum
MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')