Latest news with #COP28
Dubai Eye
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UAE champions climate action, inclusivity at UN talks
The UAE has wrapped up its participation at the UN's 62nd Climate Session in Bonn, Germany, reaffirming its commitment to global climate action and building on the momentum from COP28. Led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability, Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, the UAE delegation engaged in key negotiations on climate finance, adaptation, just transition and transparency under the Paris Agreement. The team also contributed to over 25 side events, highlighting initiatives in clean energy, artificial intelligence and climate finance. Balalaa emphasized the UAE's commitment to inclusivity, consensus-building and innovation in climate policy, and underscored the country's role in driving forward outcomes from COP28 through to COP30 in Brazil. The UAE also hosted a cultural event linking heritage to climate resilience and announced plans to co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal. Officials say the country remains focused on practical, inclusive solutions to protect vulnerable communities worldwide.
TAG 91.1
a day ago
- Politics
- TAG 91.1
UAE champions climate action, inclusivity at UN talks
The UAE has wrapped up its participation at the UN's 62nd Climate Session in Bonn, Germany, reaffirming its commitment to global climate action and building on the momentum from COP28. Led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Energy and Sustainability, Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, the UAE delegation engaged in key negotiations on climate finance, adaptation, just transition and transparency under the Paris Agreement. The team also contributed to over 25 side events, highlighting initiatives in clean energy, artificial intelligence and climate finance. Balalaa emphasized the UAE's commitment to inclusivity, consensus-building and innovation in climate policy, and underscored the country's role in driving forward outcomes from COP28 through to COP30 in Brazil. The UAE also hosted a cultural event linking heritage to climate resilience and announced plans to co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal. Officials say the country remains focused on practical, inclusive solutions to protect vulnerable communities worldwide.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE reaffirms climate commitment, support to multilateral work at 62nd Session of Subsidiary Bodies of UNFCCC
3 July 2025 19:36 BONN, GERMANY (WAM)The United Arab Emirates successfully concluded its participation at the 62nd Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was held in Bonn, UAE delegation was led by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, who reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to building on the outcomes of COP28 and supporting continued progress ahead of COP30, which will be held in Belém, SB62, the UAE actively engaged in all negotiation paths, including climate finance, the Global Goal on Adaptation, the Just Transition Work Programme, and transparency arrangements under the Paris delegation also participated in more than 25 side events and panel discussions, highlighting the UAE's strategies and initiatives in areas such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, and innovative climate finance solutions. The delegation further showcased the UAE's efforts to strengthen climate innovation, enhance international cooperation, and elevate the role of youth in climate emphasised that the UAE remains committed to supporting the multilateral process and building consensus to deliver practical solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development. His Excellency stressed the critical importance of carrying forward the spirit of inclusivity achieved at COP28. This was reflected in the UAE's constructive engagement in discussions and negotiations and its efforts to help bridge the gap between diverse the session, the UAE's Ministry of Culture organised a cultural event under the Adaptation agenda, showcasing the role of heritage and traditional knowledge in building climate resilience, further underscoring the UAE's comprehensive approach to sustainable ahead, the UAE will continue its role within the COP Troika alongside Azerbaijan and Brazil, aiming to ensure that COP30 delivers ambitious, equitable, and tangible outcomes, particularly on adaptation indicators and just transition frameworks, in line with the UAE to Belém Roadmap and the UAE Just Transition Work the country will strengthen preparations to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in partnership with Senegal, reflecting its unwavering commitment to climate resilience and water this regard, Balalaa said, 'SB62 represents an important platform to maintain momentum and support convergence on key priorities. We remain committed to working closely with partners to translate ambition into tangible action through inclusive multilateral engagement and shared responsibility.' The UAE continues its diplomatic and pragmatic efforts to enhance global climate action, support international cooperation, and protect the most vulnerable communities from the impact of climate change worldwide.
Euronews
a day ago
- Business
- Euronews
France and Spain join fight to tax luxury air travel for climate funds
France and Spain have joined a coalition of countries pushing to tax private jets and premium class flights to raise money for climate action and sustainable development. The two European nations have joined forces with Kenya, Barbados, Somalia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Antigua and Barbuda. The coalition's goal is 'to increase the number of countries applying taxes on airline tickets, including for luxury travel, and to tax private jets based on best practices,' the French Élysée said in a statement. The initiative was launched on the sidelines of a United Nations development summit in Seville on 30 June. How much money could these taxes raise? A recent study commissioned by the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force estimates that taxing private jet fuel worldwide could generate up to €41 billion annually. Adding levies on first- and business-class tickets could bring in nearly €37 billion more. Combined, the coalition's efforts could unlock over €78 billion per year to support climate resilience and sustainable development projects. The study also suggests that an additional, broader levy on commercial jet fuel could push this total to around €187 billion annually. New sources of finance With many richer countries cutting official development aid for poorer nations, some are looking for new sources of finance, including taxing the most polluting industries. Launched at COP28 in November 2023, the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force was set up to explore new kinds of taxation from polluting sectors that could support developing countries to decarbonise and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Laurence Tubiana, co-lead of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force Secretariat, said that new levies on premium flyers could 'raise vital funds'. 'In the current context, everybody is pessimistic, saying we cannot do anything. Today's announcement is proof that we can make progress,' Tubiana added. French President Emmanuel Macron said at the summit in Seville that after progress had already been made in the shipping industry, this was a 'huge step forward' for the aviation sector. 'Having Spain (in our premium flyers coalition) is very good news, and we need more and more countries,' he added. 'We need those that benefited from globalisation to contribute more to financing.' Macron urged all possible countries to join this "key" international framework. Why target private jets and premium flights? Aviation accounts for more than 2.5 per cent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, and it remains one of the sectors with the fastest-growing emissions. Private jets are especially polluting. In 2023, they emitted an estimated 19.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, according to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) - more than all flights departing London Heathrow that year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, premium travel has surged. Emissions from private aviation rose by 46 per cent between 2019 and 2023. Premium cabins, including first and business class, have larger seats and more legroom, which means fewer passengers share the emissions from each flight. This drives up the per-passenger carbon footprint dramatically. As a result, first and business class travellers produce up to 3 to 4 times more CO2 per kilometre than those flying economy. 'Flying is the most elite and polluting form of travel, so this is an important step towards ensuring that the binge users of this undertaxed sector are made to pay their fair share,' says Rebecca Newsom, global political lead for Greenpeace International's Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign. A global survey by Greenpeace and Oxfam found that three out of four people support extra taxes on premium flyers because of their outsized impact on the climate.
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
IAEA Pledges Support for Nuclear Energy Development in Africa
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has reaffirmed the agency's commitment to supporting African countries in developing peaceful nuclear energy programmes, stressing that the continent must be fully integrated into the global shift toward low-emission energy sources. Speaking at the Africa Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Grossi said there is 'nothing preventing Africa from claiming its place' in the evolving global energy landscape. He underscored that clean and reliable energy is no longer a luxury but a pressing necessity for the continent. 'Africa can and should be a key player in the future of global energy,' Grossi stated, highlighting the growing momentum behind nuclear power as a crucial component of the world's energy mix. He noted that last year's COP28 climate summit marked a turning point, with widespread recognition of nuclear energy as an indispensable part of the solution to climate change. While acknowledging that nuclear power may not suit every country, Grossi emphasized that achieving a low-carbon global economy will be impossible without it. He noted a rising interest across African nations in small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, alongside traditional nuclear technologies. Grossi urged investment in infrastructure and local capacity building, saying the IAEA stands ready to work 'hand in hand with Africa on its journey toward a safe and sustainable nuclear future.' The two-day summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts to explore the role of nuclear power in accelerating Africa's energy transition and supporting sustainable development.
