While more money is being made available for efforts to tackle climate-driven health issues, a new report suggests more needs to be done. PA
While more money is being made available for efforts to tackle climate-driven health issues, a new report suggests more needs to be done. PA
While more money is being made available for efforts to tackle climate-driven health issues, a new report suggests more needs to be done. PA
While more money is being made available for efforts to tackle climate-driven health issues, a new report suggests more needs to be done. PA

Global funds to tackle climate-driven health issues grow to $7.1bn but ‘still falls short’


Rachel Kelly
  • English
  • Arabic

While the escalating impact of climate change is likely to have profound impact on people, with some estimates showing it could cause more than 15 million deaths between 2026 and 2050, the funding to tackle climate-driven health issues is still not enough.

Findings unveiled at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday showed that funds for climate and health, provided by the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, had increased to $7.1 billion in 2022, a significant jump from the less than $1 billion committed in 2018. However, experts say the funds are not landing where they are needed most.

Dr Naveen Rao, senior vice president of health at The Rockefeller Foundation, said the jump indicates the trend is moving in the right direction, but “the overall amount of funding still falls far short of what is needed to protect lives and livelihoods from the devastating impacts of climate change”.

“Donors from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors must increase their commitments to climate and health, while also making sure that funding reaches the communities that need it most,” said Dr Rao. The analysis assessed climate health projects.

Funds not reaching those who need it most

Less than 50 per cent of overall funding made it to low-income countries, according to the paper which was titled Resourcing Climate and Health Priorities: A Mapping of International Finance Flows, and compiled by philanthropist firm Foundation S – the Sanofi Collective, the UAE's Reaching the Last Mile, and The Rockefeller Foundation.

“Well-financed climate action is an opportunity to transform countries and economies and achieve health and well-being for all,” said Nassar Al Mubarak, chief executive of Reaching the Last Mile. “As the report demonstrates, now is the time to invest in more ambitious, co-ordinated and accessible funding, delivered where it is needed most.”

Vanina Laurent-Ledru, director general of Foundation S said that countries on the front lines of climate change urgently need more accessible financing to protect their population’s health.

“Business as usual is no longer an option. Public, private, and philanthropic collaborations can help to fast-track flexible finance directly to local communities so they can urgently build climate-resilient health systems,” she said.

The report called on donors, civil society, academia and policymakers to support countries in obtaining financing by increasing the overall amount available, support local decision makers as well as speeding up and simplifying the overall process.

The paper states that integrated planning of climate and health investments is a key success factor for countries to access funding. Currently, more than 90 per cent of Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, which are national climate plans and targets under the UNFCC often include health considerations, but are often focused on goals such reducing emissions. Most countries lack a clear picture of the financing needed to address climate and health goals. The paper's authors stress a clear need to translate growing political commitment into actionable, financeable plans that enable the implementation of climate and health solutions across society.

Eliminating dangerous diseases

The Reaching the Last Mile initiative was launched in 2017 by President Sheikh Mohamed with the aim of tackling preventable diseases in low-income communities.

One of the programmes under Reaching the Last Mile is the Reaching the Last Mile Fund a multi-donor partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. At COP28, Reaching the Last Mile joined with the Gates Foundation and global partners to announce a landmark expansion of the fund from $100 million to a target $500 million.

Over the past decade, Sheikh Mohamed has pledged more than $470 million to enhance health outcomes globally, according to Reaching the Last Mile's website with the funds focusing on providing treatment and preventive care to communities without access to quality healthcare. The initiative specifically targets the elimination of diseases in the most remote and underserved regions.

Thanks to co-ordinated global efforts, Guinea worm disease and polio are on track to become the next human diseases to be eradicated, following smallpox’s successful eradication in 1980.

Nations at risk due to climate change – in pictures

  • Internally displaced children Ali and Osman Abdulahi stand near carcasses of their family's livestock, killed by severe drought near Dollow, Somalia. Reuters
    Internally displaced children Ali and Osman Abdulahi stand near carcasses of their family's livestock, killed by severe drought near Dollow, Somalia. Reuters
  • Quick distribution of climate funds agreed at Cop28 will help devastated populations get back on their feet, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama has said. Reuters
    Quick distribution of climate funds agreed at Cop28 will help devastated populations get back on their feet, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama has said. Reuters
  • Commuters ride on rickshaws on a flooded road after heavy rains in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters
    Commuters ride on rickshaws on a flooded road after heavy rains in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters
  • Cyclone Mocha makes landfall near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A rise in extreme weather events around the world has been blamed on global warming caused by man-made greenhouse gases. EPA
    Cyclone Mocha makes landfall near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A rise in extreme weather events around the world has been blamed on global warming caused by man-made greenhouse gases. EPA
  • Commuters stand on a flyover, on a flooded motorway near Rampur, in India's Uttar Pradesh state, in 2021. AFP
    Commuters stand on a flyover, on a flooded motorway near Rampur, in India's Uttar Pradesh state, in 2021. AFP
  • Monsoon floods and landslides killed about 100 people in Nepal and India earlier this year. AFP
    Monsoon floods and landslides killed about 100 people in Nepal and India earlier this year. AFP
  • A man walks past a car swept by floodwaters in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2021. AFP
    A man walks past a car swept by floodwaters in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2021. AFP
  • Flooding in Kogi, Nigeria, in October 2022. AP
    Flooding in Kogi, Nigeria, in October 2022. AP
  • A landslide engulfs Nyamukubi village, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. AFP
    A landslide engulfs Nyamukubi village, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. AFP
  • A landslide in the Mont Ngafula district of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. AFP
    A landslide in the Mont Ngafula district of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. AFP
  • Aid workers crossing flooded areas in Bundibugyo, Uganda. Twitter/UgandaRedCross
    Aid workers crossing flooded areas in Bundibugyo, Uganda. Twitter/UgandaRedCross
  • Villagers try to pull up a minibus in which 14 bodies were retrieved, in the river Nabuyonga in eastern Uganda, after flash floods. AFP
    Villagers try to pull up a minibus in which 14 bodies were retrieved, in the river Nabuyonga in eastern Uganda, after flash floods. AFP
Paris%20Agreement
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Company%20profile
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Company%20Profile
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PLUS
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The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

INDIA SQUAD

Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami

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

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

6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko

7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor

20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara

9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

The specs: 2018 Genesis G70

Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000

Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
TOUR DE FRANCE INFO

Dates: July 1-23
Distance: 3,540km
Stages: 21
Number of teams: 22
Number of riders: 198

Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Updated: January 21, 2025, 8:55 AM