Nearly half of the planet's natural World Heritage sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef, are now under severe threat from climate change, according to a major new assessment.
The World Heritage Outlook 4 report, released at the The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress currently being held in Abu Dhabi, found that 43 per cent of sites face "high" or "very high" threats from the changing climate, a jump from 33 per cent just five years ago.
The report paints the most comprehensive picture yet of the health of the world's 271 natural World Heritage sites, from tropical forests to coral reefs, and it reveals a troubling decade long decline in their overall conservation outlook.
Just 57 per cent of sites are now considered to have a positive future, down from 62 per cent in 2020. Those recognised for their biodiversity are faring worst, hit hardest by a combination of heat, drought, disease and human pressure.
“Protecting World Heritage is not just about safeguarding iconic places – it is about protecting the very foundations of life, culture, and identity for people everywhere,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN director general.
“These are some of the world’s most outstanding sites, and they are home to extraordinary biodiversity and geodiversity. They sustain communities, inspire generations, and connect us to our shared history."
Climate change now the dominant global threat
The report confirms climate change as the single largest current danger to World Heritage. Shifting temperatures, more intense storms, and changing rainfall patterns are destabilising fragile ecosystems from Australia's Tasmanian Wilderness to the mangrove forest of the Sundarbans.
Invasive non-native species remain the second most widespread threat, affecting 30 per cent of sites. But, scientists also warn of a sharp and alarming increase in the spread of wildlife and plant diseases, now threatening 9 per cent of all sites, up from just 2 per cent in 2020.
Pathogens, such as the Ebola virus in primates in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, white-nose syndrome in bats in Mammoth Cave in the US, and avian influenza in Peninsula Valdes in Argentina are undermining the health of entire ecosystems.
The IUCN report highlights the pressures are interlinked. Warmer temperatures and disrupted precipitation patterns can accelerate the spread of invasive species and pathogens, while unsustainable tourism, the third most common threat, can further amplify risk.
Management and finance gaps
The report states serious shortcomings in how many of these natural treasures are protected. Only half of the sites assessed are considered to have effective management in place, and 15 per cent are at high risk due to inadequate or unreliable funding. Chronic underinvestment, IUCN says, is eroding the resilience of even the most celebrated landscapes.
“Ensuring the resilience of natural World Heritage requires long-term commitment at all levels, from local communities to international partners, backed by adequate finance”, said Tim Badman, IUCN director for World Heritage.
“The picture we see after a decade shows a new approach is needed to turn the tide for World Heritage and expand the small number of successes to the large number of sites in need."
Hope for the future
Yet the assessment also points to examples of success. Thirteen sites improved their conservation outlook between 2020 and 2025, demonstrating that targeted funding and community engagement can yield results.
Four sites in West and Central Africa, including Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon and Garamba National Park in the DRC – moved from “critical” to “significant concern” thanks to strengthened anti-poaching measures and stabilised wildlife populations.
The IUCN calls for a fundamental shift in global conservation, with stronger recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ leadership and traditional knowledge. From ranger-led stewardship in Australia’s Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to community driven marine protection in the Pacific, Indigenous management has proven to enhance resilience and biodiversity outcomes.
THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
FORSPOKEN
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
The%20specs
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULT
West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
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Vikram%20Vedha
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
