The UAE has signed a pledge backed by more than 100 countries at Cop26 which aims to slash global emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas which is highly potent in warming the planet.
The 103 countries are promising to reduce their methane output by at least 30 per cent this decade.
“Methane is one of the gases we can cut fastest,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. “Doing that will immediately slow down climate change.”
The pledge, championed by the US and EU, was launched in Glasgow after months of diplomatic efforts to build support. The countries that backed it represent nearly half of global methane emissions and 70 per cent of global income.
The UAE hopes to share its experience in building a low-methane energy sector with the other signatories to the pledge, state news agency Wam reported.
"The UAE is a keen supporter of the global efforts to address climate change," said Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
"Recognising the urgent need for multilateral co-operation in this regard, we are proud to join the Global Methane Pledge and reaffirm our commitment to cutting down on methane emissions through domestic policy-making and developing innovative solutions.”
Over five decades, the UAE has reduced the volume of natural gas flared in the domestic energy sector by more than 90 per cent.
It aims to use drones and satellites to achieve a 'gold standard' for emissions monitoring agreed to by major oil and gas producers.
"The UAE is also turning methane into opportunity with our ambitions to convert waste to energy," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
"Together, this makes the UAE a unique leader in methane stewardship. We are delighted to help others, to share our experiences with the world and commit to the Global Methane Pledge."
'Game-changing'
US President Joe Biden said the deal was a “game-changing commitment".
He said the US would seek to curb emissions at home by upgrading oil and gas wells and incentivising farmers to cut their methane output.
“It's going to make a huge difference and not just when it comes to fighting climate change,” he said, highlighting the health and economic benefits of reducing pipeline leaks.
“This isn't just something we have to do to protect the environment in future. It's an enormous opportunity for all of us, all of our nations, to create jobs and make meeting climate goals a core part of our global economic recovery.”
Methane comes from various sources including livestock, fossil fuel extraction and leaky pipelines. The UN attributes about a quarter of global warming to the gas.
Although it does not stay in the atmosphere for thousands of years like CO2, it is many times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Backers of the pledge include Canada, Iraq, Indonesia and Japan but notable omissions include Australia, India, Russia and China.
“With this initiative, you're making it possible for us to achieve our goal, to be able to lower the warming” of the planet, said US climate envoy John Kerry.
It comes after a separate agreement to tackle deforestation in which more than 100 countries, including the UAE, pledged to restore the planet's natural carbon sinks.
The UAE's climate envoy earlier welcomed Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to the UAE pavilion at Cop26.
The envoy's office said it was "proud that our historic, strategic ties with Morocco, based on our common goals, now extend into opportunities for cooperation in energy and climate action".
Philanthropic donors have promised $200 million towards global emissions cuts, the US and EU said. Amazon owner Jeff Bezos and the Rockefeller and Ikea foundations are among those offering money.
UN experts said large cuts in methane emissions could prevent nearly 0.3ºC of global warming by 2045. The aim of the Cop26 talks is to stop temperatures rising more than 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
Methane levels in the atmosphere are at their highest for about 800,000 years, scientists have said.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
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
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
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Fatherland
Kele Okereke
(BMG)
Liverpool’s fixtures until end of 2019
Saturday, November 30, Brighton (h)
Wednesday, December 4, Everton (h)
Saturday, December 7, Bournemouth (a)
Tuesday, December 10, Salzburg (a) CL
Saturday, December 14, Watford (h)
Tuesday, December 17, Aston Villa (a) League Cup
Wednesday, December 18, Club World Cup in Qatar
Saturday, December 21, Club World Cup in Qatar
Thursday, December 26, Leicester (a)
Sunday, December 29, Wolves (h)
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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
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