The EU and US are hopeful of a Cop26 agreement to cut methane emissions, in what experts said could be a crucial step in tackling climate change.
Dozens of countries are expected to support a pledge to reduce methane output by 30 per cent this decade.
At least two dozen countries have publicly backed the push led by Brussels and Washington, and EU leaders said they expect the support of 60 countries when the pledge is formally proposed in Glasgow.
Methane is the gas responsible for at least a quarter of global warming, the UN said.
Although it does not linger in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, methane is more potent when trapping heat, meaning timely emissions cuts could be highly beneficial for the environment.
The colourless gas comes from a mixture of sources including livestock, rice farming and fossil fuel extraction.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said methane was the lowest-hanging fruit in terms of emissions cuts.
“It is 80 times more warming than CO2, so there is an urgent need to do something, and there is a lot we can do,” she said this week.
US President Joe Biden has promised to address leaky gas pipelines, one of the sources of methane emissions, as part of a $1.75 trillion spending package.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington hoped to “substantially add” to the number of countries promising to cut emissions.
The UN’s environment programme used the eve of Cop26 to announce the launch of a methane observatory to track emissions.
It said the database “fills an urgent need and creates a sound, independent scientific basis for methane emissions action”.
Pledge backers
Early backers of the 30 per cent pledge included Britain, Italy, Iraq, Indonesia and Mexico. France, Germany, Canada and Japan have publicly joined the campaign.
The pledge suffered a blow when Australia announced it would not sign up because of its concerns about the effect on its farming industry.
But New Zealand, a major emitter with its dairy and sheep industries, said it was considering adding its name to the pledge.
Philanthropic donors have promised $200 million towards global emissions cuts, the US and EU said.
UN experts said large cuts in methane emissions could prevent nearly 0.3ºC of global warming by 2045. The aim of the climate talks is to stop temperatures rising more than 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
But the UN estimates that this would require emissions cuts of 45 per cent, rather than 30 per cent, by the end of the decade.
Methane levels in the atmosphere are at their highest for about 800,000 years, scientists believe.
The World Wide Fund for Nature said Arctic nations had a particular role to play because thawing polar permafrost releases methane in large quantities.
“Taking action now to drastically reduce methane emissions, in addition to slashing other greenhouse gases emissions, could have a significant impact on the climate,” it said.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
