Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28
Cop28 has won praise from one of the leading international climate coalitions for a groundbreaking focus on methane after a presidency declaration that targets a third of historic global warming greenhouse gases.
Adair Turner, the head of the Energy Transitions Commission, told The National the declaration on methane was a key move towards avoiding a tipping point for a planet that is struggling to hit a global warming target of 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
The Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter launched at Cop28 brought together 50 of the biggest producers, representing more than 40 per cent of global oil output, to commit to net zero by 2050 by eliminating methane emissions and routine flaring by 2030.
Mr Turner, a former financial regulator in the UK, said the methane undertakings dealt with a “hugely powerful” greenhouse gas that makes up about a third of global warming.
Because it is shorter lived in the atmosphere than carbon, cutting its output pushes down the overall greenhouse gas concentrations more quickly.
“The great news is if you stop putting methane up in the atmosphere, you reduce the concentrations quickly, and you therefore reduce global warming about a third – about a third of all global warming since pre-industrial levels had been produced by increase in methane flow, rather than an increase in CO2 [carbon dioxide] stock,” he told The National on the sidelines of Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum.
Experience suggested that the companies coming forward, including the UAE’s Adnoc and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, would use their involvement to join the seven international majors that were accounting for what the UN calls Scope 3 emissions that happen when the product is sold.
While the agreement is only one part of the UN-led climate change summit, it is expected to be consequential.
“It is not sufficient in itself,” he said. “You can’t say because of that Cop28 is a success. It is hugely positive that a wider number of oil companies, including – really, for the first time – national oil companies, are making [these] commitments.”
From the opening days of summit, Mr Turner said it was clear the meeting was focused on how to make concrete promises to action.
“How do we specifically get there, limit methane, tripling of renewables and double energy efficiency. That’s what going on here.”
A report from Mr Adair’s Energy Commission said progress in clear energy technologies since 2020 was such that significant reductions in all the major categories of fossil fuels was possible by 2050, including a 75 per cent or more drop in oil consumed.
This would be driven by road transport, shipping and aviation, as well as changes in industrial processes.
Julien Perez of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, which has campaigned for oil industry involvement in decarbonisation, said the first-time declaration was a step forward in itself.
“You have a number of agencies that have never checked in on climate change at all,” he said. “Never said anything – not on greenhouse gas emissions, not on the target – and most of them now are checking in.
“You have to realise that they start from zero,” he said. “I'm pretty certain that this industry, when they get in motion, can bring significant skills and some solutions when it comes to renewables, hydrogen, biofuels and EV charging points.”
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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