Jochen Flasbarth says Germany's G7 presidency will focus on co-operation between countries to keep the 1.5°C target in reach. Getty Images
Jochen Flasbarth says Germany's G7 presidency will focus on co-operation between countries to keep the 1.5°C target in reach. Getty Images
Jochen Flasbarth says Germany's G7 presidency will focus on co-operation between countries to keep the 1.5°C target in reach. Getty Images
Jochen Flasbarth says Germany's G7 presidency will focus on co-operation between countries to keep the 1.5°C target in reach. Getty Images

Germany looks to build on success of UK's Cop26 during G7 presidency


Alice Haine
  • English
  • Arabic

German state secretary Jochen Flasbarth praised the UK’s handling of the Cop26 environmental summit and said the country will look to build on the efforts made in Glasgow during its G7 Presidency.

Mr Flasbarth, Germany’s state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, said despite individuals and businesses expressing disappointment at the outcome of Cop26, he came away feeling optimistic for the future.

“I had a very positive perception. I went from Glasgow in a very positive mood; we fixed the rulebook I would say in a quite reasonable way and we started on what is the future of multilateralism of climate risk partnerships,” Mr Flasbarth told delegates attending a virtual seminar hosted by Clean Energy Wire.

“This will also be in the centre of our G7 presidency — to focus on co-operation and implementation to keep the 1.5°C in reach.”

Mr Flasbarth pointed to the Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa — a pact between the UK, France, Germany, the EU and the US to help South Africa phase out coal — as an example of the type of deals it wants to focus on during its presidency.

“That is why it is so relevant to not just have a climate partnership, but a climate and development partnership, to organise it in a way that fits to the overall economic and societal development of those countries,” he said.

“It has to be multidimensional, it has to be done in a just transition manner and that is what we want to roll out with more partners.”

Other countries Germany is looking to tie up with include Pakistan, with Mr Flasbarth heading to the nation next month, while pacts with Rwanda, Serbia, Indonesia and India are also on the agenda.

“We all remember that India, together with China had some difficulties in the final session in Glasgow with the language of [the deal],” said Mr Flasbarth, referring to how the Cop26 deal was watered down in the final moments of the two-week summit after last-minute objections from India and China over a commitment to end the use of coal.

While 190 countries reached consensus on how to enforce the 2015 Paris climate agreement, a push led by China, and backed by India, resulted in the language being changed from accelerating the “phase out” of unabated coal to “phase down".

Mr Flasbarth said he “made an offer” to India in the aftermath of that decision to seek out a similar partnership to the pact with South Africa.

Indonesia is also a priority, he said, because the south-east Asian nation is hosting the G20 Presidency this year, which Mr Flasbarth said needs attention in the global drive to hit climate change targets.

“Looking at the G20, this is the problem,” he said. “If you do not get emissions in G20 down fast, then it's very unlikely to meet the target.”

This is why Germany is targeting countries in the G20 to form a proposed carbon club — a group working to reach agreements on uniform standards of emissions and CO2 pricing to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The carbon-club concept was unveiled by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz when he laid out the G7 programme earlier this month, as Germany takes over the presidency from the UK, with the country initially wanting to develop the G7 into a “climate club".

“We want to ensure that each country does not go it alone but joins forces,” Mr Scholz said at the time of the launch.

However Mr Flasbarth said the climate club idea was not yet fully developed, which is why the entire G20 is now being considered along with “some more relevant partners we have in mind for climate alliances or clubs”.

  • Rishi Sunak, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, holds his green box at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, before a meeting a group of finance ministers. PA
    Rishi Sunak, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, holds his green box at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, before a meeting a group of finance ministers. PA
  • Indigenous leaders in ceremonial dress gather at the McLennan Arch in Glasgow Green to march to the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, announcing their arrival at the Cop26 summit. PA
    Indigenous leaders in ceremonial dress gather at the McLennan Arch in Glasgow Green to march to the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, announcing their arrival at the Cop26 summit. PA
  • Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to Cop26 delegates. Getty Images
    Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to Cop26 delegates. Getty Images
  • Police officers guarding an inflatable Loch Ness Monster at Govan Dry Dock after it was seized in a dawn raid in Glasgow. PA
    Police officers guarding an inflatable Loch Ness Monster at Govan Dry Dock after it was seized in a dawn raid in Glasgow. PA
  • Police and demonstrators at a Extinction Rebellion protest on Buchanan Street, during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. PA
    Police and demonstrators at a Extinction Rebellion protest on Buchanan Street, during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. PA
  • Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor, speaks to a TV crew at the summit. PA
    Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor, speaks to a TV crew at the summit. PA
  • A quote from a message delivered by Britain's Queen Elizabeth to the Cop26 Summit taking place in Glasgow is displayed at Piccadilly Circus in London. AFP
    A quote from a message delivered by Britain's Queen Elizabeth to the Cop26 Summit taking place in Glasgow is displayed at Piccadilly Circus in London. AFP
  • Alok Sharma, president of Cop26, makes his point. AP Photo
    Alok Sharma, president of Cop26, makes his point. AP Photo
  • Indigenous Amazon delegate Romancil Gentil Kreta wears a Cop26 branded face mask. Reuters
    Indigenous Amazon delegate Romancil Gentil Kreta wears a Cop26 branded face mask. Reuters
  • Delegates arrive for another day at the summit in Glasgow. AP Photo
    Delegates arrive for another day at the summit in Glasgow. AP Photo
  • US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers a speech at the opening of Finance Day at Cop26. AFP
    US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers a speech at the opening of Finance Day at Cop26. AFP

Mr Scholz first proposed the idea of the EU creating a “climate club” last year as a mechanism to avoid trade friction linked to green tariffs.

A planned EU carbon border adjustment mechanism as part of its Green Deal agenda has already stoked criticism around the world with clear differences of opinion on the best strategy evident within the EU as well.

While French President Emmanuel Macron has led the charge for the rapid implementation of a CBAM, essentially a tax on imported products made in countries with less stringent rules on reducing carbon pollution, China and the US are both opposed to a tax.

The objective is to avoid shifting Europe's carbon emissions overseas as they are reduced at home — known as “carbon leakage”, with the sectors affected including steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser and electricity.

Even within Europe, Germany insists the mechanism can only be implemented gradually, and several countries are outright opposed, including Spain, Portugal, Poland and Austria — mainly because the tax would replace the allocation of free emissions permits.

“I know that we might need it in Europe, looking at our ambitious targets and the policies behind it, but I never liked it, to be honest,” said Mr Flasbarth, who was Germany's state secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety before taking on his current role seven weeks ago.

“And now in my new position, I like it even less, because of course, it can be misunderstood as producing entry barriers to our markets. And that would make the implementation of global climate policy with our partners even more difficult.

“So we are seeking ways on how to get policy approaches with relevant, and other economically competing countries, to allow that we do not use this kind of mechanism.”

Looking ahead to Cop28 in the UAE in 2023, Mr Flasbarth said he spoke to the UAE delegation at Cop26 in Glasgow to find out what their objectives were.

“They very much want to focus on the technological side of climate change — also, specifically on solar and wind,” he said.

For now, he added, the focus will be on Cop27 at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt this year, however the threat of war between Russia and Ukraine poses a challenge for the G7 presidency.

“Each and every conflict we have, as a word doesn't make it easier to focus on the other agendas,” Mr Flasbarth added.

Alden Meyer, a strategic adviser on domestic and international climate policy and politics and a Principal at Performance Partners, said there was no doubt the focus on climate change would diminish in the event of war with Russia, as it did during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis when government and central banks shifted focus to propping up their economies.

“I don't think there's any doubt of that,” Mr Meyer said.

“If Putin does invade Ukraine, especially if he does a major incursion and tries to occupy Ukraine, that will be the overriding priority of the G7 as it probably should be in the short term.

“But we have to avoid a reaction that says to deal with what will be the inevitable gas supply implications and price shocks in such a scenario that the answer is to dial back efforts to decarbonise and shift away from fossil fuels towards clean energy resources. That's counterproductive.”

Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Ponti

Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan

THE SPECS

BMW X7 xDrive 50i

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission

Power: 462hp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh600,000

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

Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fixtures:

Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final

Table:

1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10

2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8

3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6

4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4

5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs

Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

Price: Dh235,000

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
  • 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
  • 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Profile Idealz

Company: Idealz

Founded: January 2018

Based: Dubai

Sector: E-commerce

Size: (employees): 22

Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)

Updated: January 31, 2022, 1:25 PM