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CNN —The United Arab Emirates has invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the United Nations’ COP28 Climate Summit, which will take place from November 30 in Dubai. The UAE embassy in Damascus said in a post on Twitter on Sunday that Assad had received an invitation to attend COP28 from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. If Assad attends, it would be his first global summit since the start of the country’s brutal civil war in 2011, and could cause diplomatic tensions for countries which continue to impose sanctions on his regime. A COP28 spokesperson told Reuters in a statement this week: “COP28 is committed to an inclusive COP process that produces transformational solutions. This can only happen if we have everyone in the room.”In March, Assad visited the UAE on an official invitation for the first time since the Syrian civil war began.

☆ COP28 president says fossil fuels still have a role to play, prompting concerns about climate summit’s goals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In March, European countries agreed to promote a global phase-out of fossil fuels in a text setting out their priorities for COP28. “The shift towards a climate neutral economy will require the global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels,” the text said. Al Jaber emphasized the role of technologies like carbon capture in reducing planet-heating pollution. “All indicators… are telling us that we are way off track,” said Al Jaber. We have to get out of fossil fuels, we have to dramatically reduce emissions.”“it is no longer about visions.

☆ The Conflict Over Vandalizing Art as a Way to Protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Farah Nayeri | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This article is part of our special report on the Art for Tomorrow conference that was held in Florence, Italy. Seldom in the history of art have so many masterpieces been vandalized in so little time. “What is worth more, art or life?” shouted one protester, Phoebe Plummer, 21, as visitors gasped and called for security. Videos of the attacks were seen by millions of people around the world, including, no doubt, the leaders. Yet the attacks also upset many members of the public concerned about art damage, and led the directors of top world museums to issue a stern statement, raising the question of whether art actually is an effective vehicle for protest.

☆ The steps that could help address biodiversity loss could also help fix the climate crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Biodiversity loss doesn't always get as much attention as the climate but the crises are linked. The animal, named Sudan, was the last male northern white rhino. The loss of biodiversity doesn't always get as much attention as the climate crisis but the two challenges are linked. "Anybody who's working with these issues — biodiversity, climate change, and the underlying drivers of it — realize the interconnectedness of it," Chomba said. Nachmany said some parts of the financial world are recognizing that biodiversity loss and the climate crisis are two parts of the same problem.

☆ Britain eyes development roles in Japan offshore wind -official
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Katya Golubkova | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The UK is one of the world's largest offshore wind markets, with more than 10 GW of installed capacity. Japan has launched a second major round of public auctions to select operators for four new areas capable of generating 1.8 GW of offshore wind power. It wants to install up to 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and up to 45 GW by 2040. Shapps did not specifically mention the offshore wind power auctions but said there were "very broad areas of cooperation between UK and Japan" in offshore wind development. He also noted the targets set by G7 on solar and offshore wind generation were "overall" for the group.

Entrepreneur Luke Iseman said the sulfur dioxide in the balloons would deflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere, a controversial climate strategy known as solar geoengineering. The Mexican government told Reuters it is now actively drafting “new regulations and standards” to prohibit solar geoengineering inside the country. While the Mexican government announced its intention to ban solar geoengineering in January, its current actions and plans to discuss geoengineering bans with other countries have not been previously reported. GLOBAL GEOENGINEERING BANClimate policy experts said Mexico is in a position to help set the rules for future geoengineering research. David Keith, a professor of applied physics and public policy at Harvard University who has dedicated much of his research to solar geoengineering, called Iseman's launch a "stunt."

☆ World’s top climate scientists issue ‘survival guide for humanity,’ call for major course correction
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature threshold is widely recognized as crucial because so-called tipping points become more likely beyond this level. In short, our world needs climate action on all fronts — everything, everywhere, all at once. But it will take a quantum leap in climate action." He added, "In short, our world needs climate action on all fronts — everything, everywhere, all at once." "Climate justice is crucial because those who have contributed least to climate change are being disproportionately affected," said Aditi Mukherji, one of the 93 authors of this Synthesis Report.

"So far, we have recycled more than 5 million plastic bags, but this is just the beginning," TileGreen co-founder Khaled Raafat told Reuters. "We aim that by 2025, we will have recycled more than 5 billion plastic bags." At the company's factory, on the outskirts of Cairo, workers carry large barrels loaded with mixed plastic waste to be melted down and compressed. An Egyptian start-up, TileGreen, is manufacturing interlocking tiles from recycled plastic and waste in an effort to reduce dependency on cement, which is a major polluter in the country. Plastic waste is often discarded in the street or disposed of in informal dumps or burned.

☆ Oil chief leading COP28 climate summit urges energy industry to 'up its game' to reduce emissions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"Alongside all industries, the oil and gas sector needs to up its game, do more and do it faster," Abu Dhabi National Oil Company CEO Sultan al-Jaber said during a keynote speech at CERAWeek. The chief executive of one of the world's biggest oil companies, who will lead talks at the COP28 climate summit later this year, called on the energy industry to "up its game" to reduce emissions. The head of the United Arab Emirates' state oil company was seen as a controversial choice to lead the COP28 climate talks in Dubai later this year. The UAE, the third largest producer of the OPEC oil alliance, will host the U.N.-brokered climate talks from Nov. 30 through to Dec. 12. The COP28 summit will see the first global stocktake since the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Others welcomed it as a sign the energy industry would get involved in the transition. Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy crunch that disrupted fossil fuel supplies to industry and consumers. A disorderly energy transition could be "painful and chaotic", Wirth said. Top U.S. oil firm Exxon said each country would take a different path to energy transition, depending on the resources available. In some countries, gas would be a transition fuel, said Liam Mallon, the president upstream oil and gas at Exxon.

☆ CORRECTED Italy's Meloni says on track to rebuild 'excellent' relations with UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I think discussions this morning went very, very well and we're going back to a strategic partnership. Italy historically had very strong relations with UAE which in recent years experienced serious difficulties," Meloni told reporters in Abu Dhabi. Italy in 2021 halted the sale of thousands of missiles to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, citing Rome's commitment to restoring peace in Yemen. "On all these matters Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has expressed his willingness to help," Meloni said. "I think there is a strong will on both sides to rebuild not just good but excellent relations, a friendship, which I think is very important for our national interest."

The debate - which focuses on hydrogen produced from nuclear or renewable energy - has already delayed negotiations on new EU renewable energy targets and threatened a multi-billion-euro hydrogen pipeline. Some EU officials fear it could spill into other green energy policies, potentially delaying laws needed to meet EU climate targets. "There are outstanding obstacles, but they will be resolved," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said of the climate conclusions on Monday, without specifying what the obstacles were. A draft of the conclusions, seen by Reuters, said: "EU energy diplomacy will promote the increasing uptake and system integration of renewable energy, hydrogen and its derivatives." They says they acknowledge nuclear's low-carbon contribution, but that it should not be put on a level footing with renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

☆ Exclusive: UAE's Jaber says keeping 1.5 Celsius goal 'alive' is top priority for COP28
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Maha El Dahan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jaber's appointment fuelled activist concern that big industry was hijacking the world's response to the global warming crisis. "I have no intention whatsoever of deviating from the 1.5 goal," Jaber said in his first interview since being assigned the role. "Keeping 1.5 alive is a top priority and it will cut across everything I do." As COP28 president, Jaber will help shape the conference agenda and intergovernmental negotiations. "How about for once we capitalise on everybody's capabilities and strengths and fight climate change rather than going after each other," he said when asked about the criticism.

☆ A subsidy arms race is kicking off between Europe and America
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

This premium is expected to shrink as clean energy technologies become more advanced and infrastructure to produce them is scaled up. Most of the money the IRA has earmarked for clean energy initiatives comes in the form of tax credits. In the meantime, government officials are lobbying the United States to rethink parts of the IRA. “Europe and other allied countries have nothing to fear from the Inflation Reduction Act and quite a bit to gain,” said Brian Deese, Biden’s top economic adviser. The fight over green subsidies also comes as geopolitical tensions are pushing countries to focus on greater localization of production — not just for green energy, but also for sensitive technologies like computer chips.

☆ How food giant Danone plans to cut planet-warming methane emissions by 30% this decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Danone aims to cut methane emissions across the farms supplying its milk by 30% this decade. Farming accounts for 40% of man-made methane emissions globally. Danone this week promised to cut methane emissions across the farms supplying its milk by 30% by the end of the decade. Cow burps, manure pits, and fertilizers make agriculture the top source, accounting for 40% of man-made methane emissions, the study found. As of December, the US Department of Agriculture had invested more than $3 billion in what it calls climate-smart projects, including for Danone dairy farmers.

☆ Greta Thunberg on Abu Dhabi's oil chief leading COP28 climate summit: 'Completely ridiculous'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaking on the main stage in George Square as part of the Fridays for Future Scotland march during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday became the latest vocal critic of the United Arab Emirates' decision to name the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) as president of this year's COP28 climate summit. The UAE, one of the world's top oil producers, will host the U.N.-led climate summit from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 2023. And the hard reality is that, in order to achieve this goal, global emissions must fall 43% by 2030." According to the panel, roughly 90% of global CO2 emissions come from fossil fuels and the heavy industry.

☆ John Kerry says thawing U.S.-China tensions could make a huge difference to climate fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kerry said he hopes the resumption of diplomatic talks with China can make a "huge difference" in the fight to prevent the worst of what the climate emergency has in store. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on Wednesday said he hopes that the resumption of diplomatic talks with China can make a "huge difference" in the fight to prevent the worst of what the climate emergency has in store. "We very much hope to be able to find the pathway to a breakthrough that could make a huge difference," Kerry told CNBC's Tania Bryer at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The U.S. and China formally resumed stalled climate talks with China late last year following a meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping. Kerry said Wednesday that U.S. diplomats had since had several meetings with their Chinese counterparts, "and we will be talking very shortly."

☆ Davos 2023: Brazil lacking world aid to fight climate change, Silva says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

She said Brazil has regained the trust of the European Parliament with regards to resistance to the EU trade deal with South America's Mercosur bloc. Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Silva said Brazil's new government that took office on Jan. 1, was rebuilding Brazil's environmental agencies and policies that were "completely dismantled" by the previous administration. Silva said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had offered to hold the COP30 climate summit in the Amazon region in 2025 to show its commitment towards curbing in climate change. Silva and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad represented Brazil at the WEF and discussed the country's economic, social and environmental roadmap in a panel. Reporting by Alessandra Galloni in Davos, Anthony Boadle and Eduardo Simoes in Brazil; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Not right' for us to be key global health funder -Gates CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Jennifer Rigby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, speaks during an interview with Reuters at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, November 7, 2022. REUTERS/Emilie MadiCompanies Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust FollowLONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - It is not right for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to play such a big role in global health funding, but the group will not back away until others step up, its chief executive said. The Gates Foundation has faced criticism that it has too much power and influence in the global health realm, including within the World Health Organization, without the requisite accountability. "It's not right for a private philanthropy to be one of the largest funders of multinational global health efforts," he said, adding that countries ought to be leading the charge. Suzman said the aim of the fund was not to set the agenda for the WHO or other global health groups, but to provide them with better options and data as they make key decisions.

ABU DHABI, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates wants the COP28 climate conference it is hosting this year to be practical and show solidarity between the global north and south that "leaves no one behind", the country's oil chief and designated COP28 president said. In a speech on Saturday to the Global Energy Forum, Sultan al-Jaber, head of state oil giant ADNOC and UAE climate envoy, called for scaling up renewables, nuclear energy, hydrogen, carbon capture, energy efficiency and new technologies, among others. The UAE, a major OPEC oil exporter, will be the second Arab state to host the climate conference after Egypt in 2022. "We need to ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind," he said, adding that low carbon growth was the future. Reporting by Rachna Uppal, Yousef Saba and Ghaida Ghantous Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.A.E. Names Oil Chief to Run COP28 Climate Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Summer Said | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI—The United Arab Emirates named the chief executive of its national oil company as the president of this year’s United Nations climate summit, drawing criticism from environmental activists. The Gulf state said Thursday that Sultan al-Jaber, chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., or Adnoc, would be tasked with framing the agenda of the COP28 summit in Dubai, which opens at the end of November. Mr. Jaber, a top Emirati technocrat, is also the country’s minister for industry and technology and special envoy on climate change, playing a leading role in the country’s move to finance and produce more renewable and nuclear energy.

☆ UAE sparks furious backlash by appointing Abu Dhabi oil chief as president of COP28 climate summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In a statement confirming his appointment as COP28 president-designate, Al Jaber said, "The UAE is approaching COP28 with a strong sense of responsibility and the highest possible level of ambition." The United Arab Emirates announced Thursday that the head of the state oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world's largest oil companies, will lead the COP28 climate talks in Dubai later this year. The appointment of Sultan al-Jaber as COP28 president-designate provoked a furious backlash from climate activists and civil society groups. The UAE, the third largest producer of the OPEC oil alliance, will host the U.N.-brokered climate talks from Nov. 30 through to Dec. 12. In a statement confirming his appointment al-Jaber said, "The UAE is approaching COP28 with a strong sense of responsibility and the highest possible level of ambition."

☆ Global experts worry simultaneous crises could become the new norm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Business executives, politicians and academics are bracing for a gloomy world battered by intersecting crises, as rising volatility and depleted resilience boost the odds of painful simultaneous shocks. Natural disasters and extreme weather events are seen as the next greatest risk, followed by economic warfare, failure to mitigate climate change and the polarization of society. The top five long-term risks were identified as failure to mitigate climate change, failure to adapt to climate change, natural disasters and extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse and massive refugee crises. Climate concerns topped long-term risks in a survey of global experts by the World Economic Forum. The World Economic Forum’s 2022 survey put “interstate conflict” near the bottom of a list of risks that had worsened since the start of the pandemic.

☆ Congolese artist paints politicians' portraits in plastic
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Crispin Kyala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Congolese artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami applies finishing touches on portrait images of Congolese leaders, made from plastic waste, which he melts after collecting it near the banks of the Ruzizi I hydroelectric plant, in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo December 15, 2022. REUTERS/Crispin KyalangalilwaBUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Near the banks of Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami wades knee-deep through a mountain of plastic bottles, scooping as many as he can carry into a large sack. Later he will melt down the plastic to make a thick liquid which he uses to paint portraits of politicians - intended to be a condemnation of what he says is their inaction in protecting the environment. As a Congolese artist, I can send a message," said the 26-year-old. Congo, like other African nations, has insisted on its right to develop its economy by exploiting its vast natural resources.

☆ Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Says He Will End Illegal Amazon Deforestation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( John Otis | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

At a recent U.N. climate summit, Braziian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva drew praise for his stated commitment to better protect the Amazon rainforest. MARAÃ, Brazil—Dismayed by illegal logging and fishing near his Amazon River village, Alzanir de Souza organized a flotilla of small boats so 200 relatives and neighbors could make the 18-hour voyage in October to the nearest town to vote in Brazil’s presidential election. Their support helped Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , a left-wing former president who has said he would work to better protect the Amazon, defeat incumbent Jair Bolsonaro . Mr. Bolsonaro’s right-wing government had slashed funding and staffing at environmental agencies, environmentalists and employees of those agencies said, fueling a significant increase in deforestation. “We have put our faith in this new government,” said Mr. de Souza, who manages a fishing cooperative.

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