The world has entered a new era of accelerated climate action – one in which we must now hold all stakeholders accountable. The test lies in ensuring that the commitments we make translate into results.
This can be observed in the private sector’s charge towards managing and reducing energy demand, further aligning with the UAE’s sustainability goals.
Reducing energy consumption in the UAE is critical to the success of its national strategies to decarbonise and reach Net Zero by 2050. It is also vital to protect the economy against the impact of climate change that can so easily disrupt supply chains and trading conditions. Public utility companies for water and electricity must address the issue head on to manage their own energy usage and in turn, influence and encourage others to act.
Consumers must be armed with the tools and knowledge to be able to manage their use of water and electricity more responsibly. Traditional measures like switching lights off when leaving a room, turning devices off at the plug rather than leaving them on standby and using eco modes on appliances can be taken a step further thanks to innovative digital technology.
By investing in newer, more efficient equipment, utilities can ensure lower costs, make upkeep more affordable and and increase accuracy and reliability. Smart meters, for example, provide accurate usage details and help consumers identify areas where they could reduce their consumption. A smart meter can show a household how much it costs to bring the oven up to temperature or complete a washing cycle. This information may lead to more limited use of the appliance and better planning, benefitting both the consumer and the planet long term. Similarly, many households can use a mobile application to turn lights and devices off remotely.
For utility companies, lower energy consumption can translate into lower bills and cost saving mechanisms; these cost savings can be passed onto the customer, creating a competitive advantage. Competitive advantage can also be gained through a genuine commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Public-private partnerships are powerful board-level agreements that play a key role in advancing sustainability goals
The need for companies to demonstrate their commitment to society and the planet is no longer merely a gesture; it must be embedded in the culture of an organisation –as it already is in several organisations around the world. Today, consumers demand transparency from companies. A lack of authenticity can undermine a company whose values do not meet consumer expectations.
The UAE’s pro-climate, pro-growth strategic approach to economic prosperity has meant a wealth of policies, support, and funding in favour of businesses prioritising sustainability.
The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy and invest between Dh150 billion Dh200 billion by 2030 to meet the country’s increasing demand. Business leaders who diversify their operations to bring the organisation’s core strategy in line with these national goals can tap into emerging green infrastructure and renewable energy markets. They can also avoid regulatory shifts – changes to regulations and laws that are hugely costly to those unprepared.
Across the UAE, we are seeing our major industries such as construction, oil, manufacturing, agriculture and others, diversifying operations and investing in renewable and sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. This has only been made possible by a united, collaborative national approach with a focus on one common goal: to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
On a global scale, companies such as Google and Siemens are making significant strides in sustainability. Google has fully transitioned to renewable energy for its data centres and offices since 2017, and continues to reduce energy use with smart technology and AI.
Siemens has significantly cut energy consumption by enhancing the energy efficiency of industries and buildings through upgraded infrastructure. On the national level, the UAE's Masdar and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) are pioneering sustainability efforts; Masdar, by leading numerous global renewable energy projects, and Enec, by developing nuclear energy, greatly contributing to the reduction of the country’s carbon emissions.
The critical difference between energy consumption conversations in individual departments compared to board and executive level is the difference between small operational tweaks that have minimal impact on wider society, and large-scale strategic discussions and partnerships that transform.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs), for example, are powerful board-level agreements that play a key role in advancing sustainability goals much faster than traditional government-led approaches.
PPPs can boost investment, drive innovation, and bring state-of-the-art solutions to life. For example, at EtihadWE, we have built a major reverse osmosis desalination plant, significantly reducing energy consumed in producing potable or drinkable water to supply the Northern Emirates. We have achieved this through collaboration with private companies that are addressing sustainability at board level.
In companies that have led climate action from the top, we see a filtering down that positively impacts customers.
The UAE’s national strategies call for a collaborative approach to optimise energy resources and reduce consumption. Therefore, by integrating energy considerations into the highest levels of decision-making, business leaders can better align their operations with sustainability goals, gain a competitive advantage, reduce costs, boost efficiency, enhance brand value, and lead the way in creating a country that thrives economically, socially and environmentally. To this end, all stakeholders need to act decisively and effectively.
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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more from Janine di Giovanni
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
England's Ashes squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Company%C2%A0profile
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Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20profile
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MATCH INFO
Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)
Charles 57, Amla 47
Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)
Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9
Bangla Tiger win by five wickets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
