Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
December 20, 2022
Delegates at Cop15, this year’s UN biodiversity summit, which wrapped up in Montreal, Canada on Monday, treated themselves to a rare experience in the world of global summitry: reaching an international agreement on time. Hours before the conference’s scheduled conclusion, China, which held this year’s presidency, announced that countries had forged a landmark commitment to protecting 30 per cent of the planet’s nature by 2030. The goal, known as 30x30, will “mark history as Paris did for climate,” Canada’s environment minister said, referring to the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to “well below 2, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels”.
Like the Paris Agreement, 30x30 has the advantage of a catchy name articulating a very simple – if also somewhat vague – goal. Previous biodiversity summits have disappointed hopes – not a single target from the more complicated agreement concluded at the conference in Aichi, Japan in 2010 has been met. Cop15 delegates hope that by taking a leaf from climate activists’ playbooks, they may have finally offered biodiversity campaigners something to work with.
But biodiversity can be a more fraught subject than climate change, in part because of how complex it is. Whereas the link between carbon emissions and the warming of the climate is by now well understood, scientists are still trying to grapple with the scale of the impact human activities have on plant and animal life. Apportioning responsibility is not as simple as measuring carbon dioxide levels.
Biodiversity can be a more fraught subject than climate change
Although the deal in Montreal was agreed quickly, getting there was not straightforward and some countries, notably the Democratic Republic of Congo, protested the terms even after the conference ended. Much of the disagreement surrounded financing – the annual gap in funds needed to realise Cop15’s goal is estimated to be $700 billion. To address this, countries agreed to mobilise $200 billion a year in public and private funding by 2030, with higher-income countries contributing at least $30 billion a year. Some African countries, including the DRC, which are home to enormous and largely in-tact ecosystems, were concerned that the money would not be channelled through a separate biodiversity fund, but instead through an existing UN environment fund, the biggest beneficiaries of which are non-African countries.
Ensuring that the developing world, where so much of the remaining healthy natural environment is, is empowered to protect biodiversity without being disempowered economically is a challenge that featured heavily at the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt last month also. It is also one that is being taken far more seriously today than in previous decades’ discussions on the environment, along with indigenous rights. But the enduring challenge of biodiversity protection is, like all other environmental campaigns, how to inspire a shift in human culture.
It took decades for climate change to become a topic of conversation in millions of households around the world. That sense of familiarity and awareness will be integral to continued efforts to alter our behaviour. Biodiversity awareness is not there yet, but 30x30 provides the campaign for a more sustainable relationship with our plant and animal cohabitants with new impetus.
TV (UAE time);
OSN Sports: from 10am
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors Power: 659hp Torque: 1075Nm On sale: Available for pre-order now Price: On request
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course Circuit Length: 5.807km Number of Laps: 53 Watch live: beIN Sports HD
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book:I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based:Dubai
Founders:Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector:Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees:4
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE) TV: Match on BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
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.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues. Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
