The UAE will take on a leading role in the fight for climate change action when it hosts the United Nations Cop 28 summit in November.
A raft of agencies, companies, non-profit organisations and individuals are already in the fight to propel environmental activism forward and demand action on climate change.
But there are three powerful people who have championed the cause and will lead during the crucial Cop28 talks.
Here is a look at their work as the UAE prepares to host Cop28 between November 30 and December 12.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber
The fight against climate change must be pragmatic and sustainable, and no country is able to make the transition to clean energy at the “flip of a switch”, says Dr Sultan Al Jaber, who was appointed as the UAE's special envoy for climate change in November 2020 and has now been named President-Designate for Cop28 UAE.
Dr Al Jaber, who is also Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, speaking in September before Cop27 in Egypt, stressed that energy security and climate action should go hand in hand.
“Even in a net-zero-emissions world, energy security requires that oil and gas be part of the mix,” he told The National.
“We have a responsibility to the billions of people of the world to ensure they have access to energy.”
Dr Al Jaber has extensive experience in advocacy on environment-related matters, having led the clean-energy agenda for more than 15 years.
At Adnoc, he oversaw a transformation of the state-owned producer over the past four years that has made it a more efficient and technology-led organisation.
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Sustainability in the UAE: in pictures
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Adnoc is currently one of the top five lowest greenhouse gas emitters in the oil and gas industry and has one of the lowest methane intensities in the world.
It is also expanding its carbon capture, utilisation and storage programme.
Dr Al Jaber is chairman of Abu Dhabi's clean-energy company Masdar, which since 2006 has become one of the largest and fastest-growing renewable energy businesses in the world, active in more than 40 countries and with a global portfolio of projects that have a combined 15 gigawatts of clean electricity-generating capacity.
As Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Al Jaber says the future will be focused on achieving comprehensive Emirati industrial activity, led by major national development sectors.
Future plans will create an appropriate economic system and promote public-private partnerships that will boost the UAE’s stature as a global capital of future industries.
"The UAE government is building a global economic base by developing local supply chains, manufacturing new products, and intensifying the efforts to support national industry and increase the competitiveness of national products,” Dr Al Jaber said in November.
Razan Al Mubarak
“Time for procrastination is over. We must be bold, we must be fast, and we must innovate, armed with optimism and humility of the heart,” Razan Al Mubarak said in a video speech as an International Union for Conservation of Nature presidential candidate on September 3, 2021.
A few days later, she was elected the first Arab woman and the second woman in the world to lead the 74-year-old conservation organisation.
Ms Al Mubarak has long been a leader on environmental issues and was chosen to lead the union based on her work to protect endangered species worldwide. She has been appointed Cop28 UAE UN Climate Change High-level Champion.
She has fought for stronger laws to protect the environment and has worked incessantly to raise awareness about sustainable development.
She is also the managing director of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. In 2018, the World Economic Forum selected her as one of the top 100 Young Global Leaders for her contribution to building a more sustainable future for humankind.
Ms Al Mubarak is also the managing director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which provides grants for the protection of endangered species worldwide. In addition, she is the managing director of Emirates Nature–WWF, a UAE-based affiliate of the World Wide Fund for Nature.
As head of the EAD, she was instrumental in the implementation of the successful breeding of captive Scimitar-horned oryx in Abu Dhabi and reintroducing them back into the wild in Chad.
Her efforts helped to increase the number of animals in their natural habitat and saved the species that was listed as extinct in the wild.
With Ms Al Mubarak at the helm, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has supported thousands of projects in more than 160 different countries benefiting more than 1,300 different species and subspecies of animals, some pulled back from the brink of extinction.
Under her leadership, Emirates Nature–WWF undertook the most comprehensive coral reef mapping in western Asia, pioneering research and conservation efforts to protect marine turtles.
She was crucial in establishing Wadi Wurayah National Park, the first in the UAE.
She is also a strong supporter of inclusivity in the fight against climate change.
At Cop27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Ms Al Mubarak joined world leaders in launching a global initiative that will co-ordinate efforts to address climate change, land and ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss through nature-based solutions.
She also supports the transition to green technologies in the race towards net zero.
Ms Al Mubarak believes the only way to solve a problem like biodiversity loss is to ensure that all stakeholders have a seat at the table – women, young people, those from all geographies and indigenous peoples who protect more than 80 per cent of Earth’s biodiversity.
Shamma Al Mazrui
Shamma Al Mazrui was appointed Minister of State for Youth Affairs in February 2016 at the age of 22, making her the world’s youngest cabinet minister at the time of her appointment.
She inspires young people to take a stand against climate change and try to make a positive change. She has been appointed Cop28 UAE Youth Climate Chamption.
She was a part of the delegation that accompanied President Sheikh Mohamed during his visit to France in July 2022.
During the visit, Ms Al Mazrui met the youth minister of France and Emirati students attending universities there. They talked about the empowerment of young people ready to help to shape the green agenda before the UAE's hosting of the Cop28.
She believes the pressing environmental challenges facing the globe should be the “most critical story every single day”.
“How can we talk about the future of the media if the future of the planet is on the line? And we are not bold enough to feature it as the most critical story every single day?” the minister asked during her address at the inaugural Global Media Congress in Abu Dhabi in November.
As the chair of the Emirates Youth Council and the Vice Chair of the Arab Youth Centre, she ensures that all ministries and decision-makers incorporate the needs of young people while making policies.
Masdar's eco-friendly projects - in pictures
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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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.”
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
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Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
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.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
