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Billions face arid future as climate change turns land to desert
11 Jan 2025

More than three quarters of the Earth have become irreversibly drier over the past three decades, according to a UN report which says there is an existential crisis that could affect billions more worldwide. About 77.6 per cent of Earth’s land was under drier conditions during the three decades up to 2020 compared to the 30 years […]

Could the UAE and rest of Gulf see more rain? New data shows close to 19% rise in rainfall over 20 years
10 Jan 2025

Severe storms that swept through the UAE last year unleashed the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the UAE. But is the amount of rain increasing in the region year on year? New data has revealed an 18.8 per cent increase in rainfall across the six member countries of the GCC- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – between […]

Ecotourism drive embraced by UAE as travellers focus on sustainability

From lush mangroves to rugged mountains, more travellers are looking to explore the UAE’s natural beauty – but it’s not just the call of the wild that is drawing in the crowds. A report from booking.com found that 75 per cent of holidaymakers want to travel more sustainably, with the UAE in a prime position […]

Consumers more likely than ever to pay extra for sustainable retail, experts say

Sustainable shopping is going to be one of the key consumer trends in the region next year, with people more prepared than ever to “pay for what makes a difference”, according to experts. More than 80 per cent of consumers both regionally and globally have noticed climate-related disruptions in their daily lives in the past 12 […]

Weather extremes ‘wreaking havoc’ on global water systems
07 Jan 2025

Scientists say climate extremes wreaked havoc on the global water cycle last year, leading to flooding and droughts around the world that displaced millions and cost the global economy billions. Last year, half of the world’s population experienced their warmest year yet. Air temperatures were 1.2ºC warmer than at the start of the century and 2.2ºC above […]

China is driving an electric vehicle revolution. But is it good news for the climate?
06 Jan 2025

China’s EV boom offers climate hope, but market dominance risks new environmental challenges. Ten years ago, you would be forgiven for assuming the snowballing climate crisis was low-down on China’s priority list. Accounting for approximately 11.9 billion metric tonnes of emissions in 2023 alone, the country has been the largest global emitter of CO2 since […]

How building ‘green walls’ can cut indoor pollution and promote more productive offices
05 Jan 2025

Cities across the globe have long harnessed the power of nature by integrating more green spaces in urban development plans to boost the environment, as well as improve well-being. But research in the UAE has underlined how creating additional green spaces should not be merely confined to streets and parks, but can be crucial to cultivating healthier, happier […]

US cloud-seeding efforts ‘limited by fragmented approach and lack of data’
04 Jan 2025

Unlike in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and China, cloud-seeding efforts to boost rainfall in the US remain minimal, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. Cloud seeding often involves shooting salt or other small materials into clouds to try to generate extra rain. The new report, issued to the US House Committee on science, space […]

Increased wildfire activity may be a feature of past periods of abrupt climate change
03 Jan 2025

A new study investigating ancient methane trapped in Antarctic ice suggests that global increases in wildfire activity likely occurred during periods of abrupt climate change throughout the last Ice Age. The study, just published in the journal Nature, reveals increased wildfire activity as a potential feature of these periods of abrupt climate change, which also saw […]

Trump, Cop30 and carbon markets: Climate themes to watch in 2025
02 Jan 2025

Global temperatures are set to cool in 2025 compared to the record-breaking heat over the past 12 months – perhaps an indication of a more positive climate calendar for the coming year. According to the UK’s national weather and climate service, the Met Office, the average global temperature for 2025 is forecast at between 1.29°C […]