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    Abu Dhabi takes 172 million single-use plastic bags out of circulation in one year

    Abu Dhabi has reduced the number of single-use plastic bags in circulation by 172 million since an emirate-wide ban came into effect a year ago, authorities said on Tuesday. The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi said this amounted to 450,000 bags being taken out of use each day since June 1 last year, in a boost for the capital’s […]

    Fish move to colder waters as a result of global warming

    Rising ocean temperatures are forcing fish to move to colder water or to dive deeper, scientists said on Wednesday. Many species are moving from equatorial areas and higher water temperatures to find new homes closer to either the north or south poles, researchers found. The University of Glasgow study raises questions about the knock-on effects that the move […]

    Abu Dhabi launches first all-electric waste collection lorry

    Abu Dhabi has unveiled its first all-electric waste collection lorry to help boost the UAE’s drive towards a net-zero future. Abu Dhabi Waste Management, better known as Tadweer, has teamed up with Renault Trucks Middle East and Al Masaood Group to launch the eco-friendly vehicle. It will be operated by Tadweer to collect household waste […]

    How the climate change story ends is still in our hands
    27 May 2023

    News this week about the planet rapidly approaching the critical global-warming threshold of a 1.5°C rise above pre-industrial levels has frightened and dismayed many. The report from World Meteorological Organisation scientists was published shortly after the world’s fourth-warmest April since records began in 1950 and months ahead of the Cop28 summit in the UAE. Although […]

    Engie seeks new hydrogen projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman
    25 May 2023

    France’s Engie is keen to start new hydrogen projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman as it aims for 4 gigawatts of green hydrogen capacity globally by 2030 amid energy transition strategies to cut emissions, a senior executive has said. The Paris and Brussels-listed company has new projects planned in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, Stephan […]

    UAE invites Israeli leaders to Cop28

    The UAE has invited Israel to take part in the Cop28 climate summit at Expo City Dubai later this year. Mohamed Al Khaja, the UAE’s ambassador to Israel, delivered letters of invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed. The crucial environment conference will bring together […]

    Cop28 is an ideal opportunity to help Iraq, Syria and Yemen access climate funds
    23 May 2023

    Vulnerable Middle East countries affected by conflict should be offered easier access to global finance to help mitigate the effects of climate change, humanitarian experts said on Thursday. In a joint report focusing on Iraq, Syria and Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Norwegian Red Cross said the combined effects of […]

    Iraq will only be able to meet 15% of its water needs by 2035, UN official warns

    Iraq will only be able to meet 15 per cent of its water demands by 2035 if current trends continue, a top UN official said on Thursday, warning that water scarcity has become the country’s most critical environmental issue. The dire situation is made worse by the fact that 90 per cent of Iraq’s rivers are contaminated, leaving […]

    Milestone as UAE plant uses 100,000 tonnes of waste to power 2,000 homes

    A groundbreaking UAE green energy scheme has generated enough power to supply 2,000 homes, using household rubbish and industrial waste, in its first year in operation. The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, the first such project in the region, offset 150,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. It processed more than 100,000 tonnes of waste — equivalent to that produced […]

    World reports fourth-warmest April since records began in 1950
    11 May 2023

    Last month’s average temperatures across the world were the fourth warmest for April since records began in 1950. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) found temperatures were above average over south-west Europe last month, with Spain and Portugal recording their highest April temperatures. The C3S, which is part of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and […]