Palm oil is sometimes seen as a wonder commodity. It is a cheap cooking oil, an ingredient in any number of foods, a biofuel and it is found in numerous consumer products from cosmetics to detergents. But it is often also regarded as an environmental menace, as vast swathes of tropical forests are destroyed so that palm tree plantations can […]
Countries in the Gulf will be required to invest billions of dollars in flood-proofing infrastructure as the region grapples with the “new normal” of extreme weather, a report has found. A briefing document from Oxford Analytica, an analysis and advisory company, warned the region “has not fully adapted” to the challenges posed by climate change and […]
Mangroves in the Arabian Gulf and surrounding regions could shrink by 45 per cent over the next half century if current trends continue, scientists have warned in a study. The assessment, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), found that the area in the Gulf covered by mangroves has declined by about 14 per […]
Producing water from air is becoming an efficient and sustainable reality due to scientific advancements in the UAE. Khalifa University is among the leading institutions and companies transforming this concept into practical reality. It has developed solar-powered water generators that offer a sustainable solution to the Middle East’s lack of rain. To mark World Water Day, a day to underline the importance of fresh […]
Ensuring there is enough water to go around will be one of the world’s biggest challenges as temperatures rise and the population grows. By the end of this century, the global population is expected to have increased to more than 11 billion, about three billion more than now, putting greater pressure on what are likely to be increasingly scarce […]
Marine Protected Areas boost fishing and tourism, with profits sometimes in the billions, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of its kind to date. MPAs, or national parks at sea, are found in many of the world’s oceans, with past research showing fully protected areas can help restore fish populations by 500 per cent on average, […]
Coral reefs offer wondrous, colourful images that mesmerise snorkellers, divers and indeed almost anyone who watches wildlife documentaries – but for how much longer? The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revealed these natural ecosystems are now being badly hit by a global bleaching event sparked by high temperatures – with climate change a likely cause. […]
Abu Dhabi has set out a crucial action plan aimed at driving up air quality, reducing noise pollution and holding industries to account for their impact on the environment. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the board of directors of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, issued a resolution on Friday […]
Marine Protected Areas boost fishing and tourism, with profits sometimes in the billions, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of its kind to date. MPAs, or national parks at sea, are found in many of the world’s oceans, with past research showing fully protected areas can help restore fish populations by 500 per cent on average, […]
Electricity generation from fossil fuel dropped to its lowest share last year as sources of renewable power delivered the highest amount of energy recorded in the UK. The Energy Department said renewable generation hit 135 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023, although this was broadly in line with 2022 levels as new capacity was offset by difficult weather conditions. The […]
