Latest news with #GreenpeaceMENA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oil-rich UAE orders emissions monitoring in new climate law
The United Arab Emirates, a major oil exporter, began mandatory emissions monitoring for companies on Friday under a new law targeting climate change. Greenpeace hailed the move, a first for the Middle East but already in place in dozens of countries worldwide, as a "bold leap toward regional climate leadership". The UAE, one of the world's top oil exporters, neighbours several oil-rich countries including Saudi Arabia and Iran along with Qatar, a leading gas producer. Under the new law, companies are required to report and reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming. Ghiwa Nakat, executive director of Greenpeace MENA, called it a "progressive move". "By institutionalising emissions monitoring and climate adaptation, the UAE is setting a compelling example for countries across the region," she said in a statement. Public and private companies now have to regularly monitor emissions and take steps to reduce them, or risk fines of up to two million dirhams ($545,000). However, Greenpeace said the UAE also needed to set clear reduction targets, especially for major sectors such as energy and transport. The UAE, which hosted the United Nations' COP28 climate talks in 2023, is targeting net-zero domestic carbon emissions by 2050. In its latest climate roadmap submitted to the UN, the Gulf monarchy committed to reducing emissions by 47 percent of 2019 levels by 2035. saa/th/srm
France 24
4 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Oil-rich UAE orders emissions monitoring in new climate law
Greenpeace hailed the move, a first for the Middle East but already in place in dozens of countries worldwide, as a "bold leap toward regional climate leadership". The UAE, one of the world's top oil exporters, neighbours several oil-rich countries including Saudi Arabia and Iran along with Qatar, a leading gas producer. Under the new law, companies are required to report and reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming. Ghiwa Nakat, executive director of Greenpeace MENA, called it a "progressive move". "By institutionalising emissions monitoring and climate adaptation, the UAE is setting a compelling example for countries across the region," she said in a statement. Public and private companies now have to regularly monitor emissions and take steps to reduce them, or risk fines of up to two million dirhams ($545,000). However, Greenpeace said the UAE also needed to set clear reduction targets, especially for major sectors such as energy and transport. The UAE, which hosted the United Nations' COP28 climate talks in 2023, is targeting net-zero domestic carbon emissions by 2050. In its latest climate roadmap submitted to the UN, the Gulf monarchy committed to reducing emissions by 47 percent of 2019 levels by 2035.
Web Release
12-04-2025
- Science
- Web Release
Greenpeace MENA, Ajman University, and UAE Universities Climate Network Celebrate ‘Wellbeing Economy Award' Winners
Greenpeace MENA, in collaboration with Ajman University, and the UAE Universities Climate Network, unveiled the winners of the 'Wellbeing Economy Award,' a pioneering initiative that honours transformative contributions of young researchers and innovators toward sustainability and innovation in the UAE and Gulf region. Under the theme 'The Future is Sustainable,' the Wellbeing Economy Award ceremony showcased the exceptional work of emerging researchers, academics, and visionaries. Their efforts not only resonate with UAE's ambitious sustainability goals, but also offer actionable solutions poised to shape global policy dialogues. Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, stated: 'The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award Ceremony is not just a recognition of outstanding research, but a bold call to action. It highlights the UAE's leadership in creating an environment that prioritizes sustainability and wellbeing of its citizens and residents. Traditional economic models, focused solely on growth, have led to inequality, environmental damage, and social challenges. A wellbeing economy offers a powerful alternative—redefining prosperity to prioritize the quality of life, social equity, and the sustainability of the planet. The UAE is now leading the way!' Nakat added: 'By collaborating with academic institutions, researchers, and multi-stakeholder partners, we aim to build an economy that values both human and environmental health, shaping a future where sustainability and wellbeing are inseparable.' Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, commented: ' As a non-profit institution, Ajman University continues to emphasise its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Through this initiative, the University aims to create equitable communities where resources are used efficiently and the fundamental needs of all individuals are met, further reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between economic development, social progress, and environmental stewardship. The Wellbeing Economy Award has empowered our future leaders to take decisive actions toward creating meaningful change while highlighting the critical importance of sustainability. ' Engineer Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, was honored with the best government project award for her pioneering research titled 'Building a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy: The UAE's Path to a Resilient Future through Energy Transition'. Moreover, three researchers were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to sustainability and wellbeing. The First Place was awarded to Bayan Alradi and Dr. Samer H. Zyoud from Ajman University for their research titled 'Empowering the UAE's Renewable Energy Future with High-Efficiency CZTS Solar Cells.' The Second Place went to Dr. Mohammed Elseidi from Umm Al Quwain University for his research titled 'Constructing and Forecasting a Hybrid Well-Being Index for the UAE: A Data-Driven vs. Equal-Weight Approach.' The Third Place was awarded to Najla Almatrooshi and Nicole Weber from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for their research titled 'Desert Bloom Economies: Reimagining Gulf Wellbeing through Biomimicry, Non-Anthropocentric Ethics, and Post-Rentier Narratives.' Maya Haddad, Head of Operations of UAE Universities Climate Network, stated: 'The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award is a crucial step in strengthening the connection between academia and environmental stewardship. The research presented at the event showcases the steadfast dedication of young scholars and professionals who are deeply committed to building a sustainable future.' The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award further encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address global sustainability challenges. It serves as an important step towards creating new economic models that foster prosperous, inclusive, and resilient future for the UAE, with an emphasis on the interconnection between environmental, social and economic goals.
Mid East Info
11-04-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
Greenpeace MENA, Ajman University, and UAE Universities Climate Network Celebrate ‘Wellbeing Economy Award' Winners
The award recognised research young visionaries that go beyond traditional economic metrics to highlight innovations contributing to sustainable development in the UAE. UAE – Greenpeace MENA, in collaboration with Ajman University, and the UAE Universities Climate Network, unveiled the winners of the 'Wellbeing Economy Award,' a pioneering initiative that honours transformative contributions of young researchers and innovators toward sustainability and innovation in the UAE and Gulf region. Under the theme 'The Future is Sustainable,' the Wellbeing Economy Award ceremony showcased the exceptional work of emerging researchers, academics, and visionaries. Their efforts not only resonate with UAE's ambitious sustainability goals, but also offer actionable solutions poised to shape global policy dialogues. Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, stated: 'The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award Ceremony is not just a recognition of outstanding research, but a bold call to action. It highlights the UAE's leadership in creating an environment that prioritizes sustainability and wellbeing of its citizens and residents. Traditional economic models, focused solely on growth, have led to inequality, environmental damage, and social challenges. A wellbeing economy offers a powerful alternative—redefining prosperity to prioritize the quality of life, social equity, and the sustainability of the planet. The UAE is now leading the way!' Nakat added: 'By collaborating with academic institutions, researchers, and multi-stakeholder partners, we aim to build an economy that values both human and environmental health, shaping a future where sustainability and wellbeing are inseparable.' Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, commented: 'As a non-profit institution, Ajman University continues to emphasise its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Through this initiative, the University aims to create equitable communities where resources are used efficiently and the fundamental needs of all individuals are met, further reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between economic development, social progress, and environmental stewardship. The Wellbeing Economy Award has empowered our future leaders to take decisive actions toward creating meaningful change while highlighting the critical importance of sustainability.' Engineer Nawal Alhanaee, Director of Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, was honored with the best government project award for her pioneering research titled 'Building a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy: The UAE's Path to a Resilient Future through Energy Transition'. Moreover, three researchers were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to sustainability and wellbeing. The First Place was awarded to Bayan Alradi and Dr. Samer H. Zyoud from Ajman University for their research titled 'Empowering the UAE's Renewable Energy Future with High-Efficiency CZTS Solar Cells.' The Second Place went to Dr. Mohammed Elseidi from Umm Al Quwain University for his research titled 'Constructing and Forecasting a Hybrid Well-Being Index for the UAE: A Data-Driven vs. Equal-Weight Approach.' The Third Place was awarded to Najla Almatrooshi and Nicole Weber from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for their research titled 'Desert Bloom Economies: Reimagining Gulf Wellbeing through Biomimicry, Non-Anthropocentric Ethics, and Post-Rentier Narratives.' Maya Haddad, Head of Operations of UAE Universities Climate Network, stated: 'The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award is a crucial step in strengthening the connection between academia and environmental stewardship. The research presented at the event showcases the steadfast dedication of young scholars and professionals who are deeply committed to building a sustainable future.' The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award further encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address global sustainability challenges. It serves as an important step towards creating new economic models that foster prosperous, inclusive, and resilient future for the UAE, with an emphasis on the interconnection between environmental, social and economic goals.
Khaleej Times
10-04-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Should countries be measured by happiness? 3 changemakers honoured for bold ideas
What if solar panels were not only efficient but also recyclable, made from non-toxic materials? What if a country's success was measured not just by GDP but also by the happiness and wellbeing of its people? These were just some of the bold ideas that earned recognition at the inaugural Wellbeing Economy Award, where three innovative UAE-based projects were honoured for driving sustainability, innovation, and reimagining progress. Greenpeace MENA, in partnership with Ajman University and the UAE Universities Climate Network, celebrated the winners of the 'Wellbeing Economy Award,' an initiative that recognises transformative ideas and research projects driving sustainability and innovation in the UAE and the Gulf region. Powering the future, sustainably The first prize was awarded to Bayan Alradib, Farah Adnana and Samer H Zyoud, for their work on recyclable solar cells. Bayan Alradib, a fourth-year engineering student at Ajman University specialising in power and renewable energy, explained how their research explored an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional solar cells. 'We did research in the nanotechnology field where we developed a solar cell that is recyclable and not harmful to the environment, compared to traditional ones,' she said. Their project focused on developing solar cells using Copper Zinc Tin Sulphur (CZTS), a compound that is abundant, non-toxic, recyclable, and cost-effective. Unlike conventional cells that rely on cadmium sulphide, a toxic material that's hard to recycle, the CZTS cells are sustainable and better suited for the UAE's harsh desert climate. 'Solar cells are very sensitive to heat,' said Bayan. 'When temperatures rise, the open circuit voltage drops and efficiency collapses. Our cells maintain high efficiency under these conditions and can be deployed on a large scale in future to power towns and neighbourhoods.' 'This idea came to me while working with the compound in another project. I thought, why not use this as a clean source of energy?' added Bayan. The team hope their innovation will pave the way for more scalable and sustainable solar energy solutions in the region. New measure of progress Second place was awarded to Dr Mohammed Elseidi, assistant professor of statistics and data science at Umm Al Quwain University. His research offers a fresh perspective on how national progress should be measured, beyond just economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 'We developed a new model using machine learning and statistical forecasting to create what we call a Hybrid Wellbeing Index,' said Dr Elseidi. 'It combines over 100 indicators spread across human development, financial growth, and sustainability.' For instance, the Human Development Index in this model factors in health, mental wellbeing, and overall life satisfaction. Meanwhile, financial indicators include business architecture and economic metrics, while sustainability indicators cover environmental impact and climate-conscious policies. 'GDP does not reflect whether a country is truly thriving in a sustainable and human-centric way,' said Dr Elseidi. 'Our model gives a fuller picture of where a society stands and where it's heading in terms of wellbeing and sustainability.' The model has already shown promising results in the UAE, predicting strong growth in overall wellbeing over the next five years. 'Our research shows that the wellbeing of people in the UAE has steadily increased over the last 20 years. And our forecast predicts even more progress in the next five years,' he said. Dr Elseidi's team plans to apply this model to other Gulf and MENA countries in the future. 'This isn't just about numbers, it's about creating a better understanding of what truly makes a country successful.' Desert inspiration The third prize went to Najla Almatrooshi and Nicole Weber from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for their thought-provoking research titled 'Desert Bloom Economies: Reimagining Gulf Wellbeing through Biomimicry, Non-Anthropocentric Ethics, and Post-Rentier Narratives.' Their work reimagines the future of Gulf economies by integrating environmental ethics and inspiration from nature, challenging traditional resource-dependent models and advocating for more resilient, life-centred approaches to growth. The awards serve as a reminder that the UAE's young minds are not just dreaming of change, they are building it.
