Latest news with #NaturalResources
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Science
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi delivers ‘Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Environment Sector'
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) today launched the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Environment Sector (2025–2050), a comprehensive and science-based roadmap designed to protect the emirate's natural resources and systems from the increasing and inevitable impacts of climate change. This pioneering plan – the emirate's first – was created as part of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy 2023–2027. The plan is also aligned with the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050 and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, established at COP28, which provides time-bound targets for adaptation planning across key sectors. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the EAD, said, 'The launch of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the environment sector marks a defining moment for the environmental future of the emirate. We are moving beyond foresight to decisive actions, preparing for climate realities with unwavering commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage." She added that this plan will enhance the resilience of natural resources, safeguard biodiversity and strive to ensure water and food security. 'This achievement reflects our commitment to foreseeing a future based on adaptation to current and future climate impacts. It strengthens our efforts to achieve the UAE's national climate objectives and Sustainable Development Goals by reducing environmental vulnerabilities, safeguarding ecosystems. This plan firmly places the emirate at the forefront of adaptation planning in the region,' Al Dhaheri noted. The Environment Sector Adaptation Plan focuses on three highly vulnerable environmental systems: groundwater, soil and biodiversity. These are critical to Abu Dhabi's human health, long-term water security, agricultural productivity and overall ecosystem health. Through robust risk assessments, the plan identifies a wide array of climate-induced threats and outlines 142 adaptation actions to be implemented by 2050, including 86 high-priority projects identified for implementation over the next five years. These actions span a range of technical, institutional and nature-based solutions. Over the long term, the plan supports Abu Dhabi's strategic ambition to preserve and enhance its natural capital. It contributes to national efforts to increase food self-sufficiency, effect a shift toward more sustainable land and water management systems and enhance the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environment Policy and Planning Sector, stated, 'Designed to be adaptive and forward-looking, the plan integrates the latest data, evolving climate projections, and policy alignment to ensure our responses remain effective over time. As part of a broader national and emirate-wide strategy, it reinforces our long-term vision to protect ecosystems, sustain natural resources, and secure the well-being of future generations.' The development of the plan was a collaborative process, led by EAD and involved more than 40 government, semi-government, academic, civil society entities and youth. The plan is designed to be dynamic and forward-looking, with built-in mechanisms for periodic review, stakeholder engagement and integration of new scientific findings and climate projections. Alongside the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, it also complements the National Biodiversity Strategy and other international commitments. The Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan – Environment Sector is one of four sectoral plans being rolled out under a broader emirate-wide adaptation strategy.
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
How John Hannaford led the public service through transition and turmoil
If John Hannaford had a superpower, it might have been his ability to help a team reach consensus. Article content Rather than rule with an iron fist, he would engage in what former colleagues called 'deep listening.' Article content Recommended Videos Article content 'He really was thoughtful about that, and I think purposeful, right?' said Marta Morgan, a former colleague of Hannaford and retired public service executive. 'He wanted to pull out the best in people, and one way of doing that is making people know that they're heard and they're part of the discussion.' Article content Article content Morgan recalled that when Hannaford led meetings, he would prioritize listening and ensure that everyone in the room was given a chance to share their thoughts. Article content Former colleagues have said those listening skills served him well in his career as he navigated turbulent times. Hannaford retired in early July as his successor, Michael Sabia, took the reins of the federal public service. Article content Before he became clerk of the Privy Council, Hannaford was deputy minister at Natural Resources. In that role, Hannaford led a team of government executives on a tour of Western Canada when that part of the country was feeling particularly alienated from the federal government in Ottawa. Article content Daniel Quan-Watson, another former colleague and retired public service executive, said the tour embodied Hannaford's 'commitment to listening and genuine interest and fascination.' Article content Article content 'I think it's such an important signal of Canada's public service, being there, even in difficult places, difficult listening, difficult conversations and being present for people,' Quan-Watson added. Article content Article content Hannaford would perhaps agree, having said in a 'fireside chat' with the Canada School of Public Service that he 'didn't have that objective' in his career planning. Article content But he was trusted by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, having served as a PCO advisor on foreign affairs and defence from 2015 to 2019. He also served as deputy minister of international trade, where he was involved in renegotiating NAFTA, which then became the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Recognized, independent Palestinian state could unlock disputed gas wealth, expert says
LONDON: Official recognition of a Palestinian state would end legal ambiguities over the Gaza Marine gas field and secure the Palestinian Authority's right to develop its most valuable natural resource, according to energy expert Michael Barron. Barron, author of 'The Gaza Marine Story,' estimates the field could generate $4 billion in revenue at current prices, with the PA reasonably earning $100 million annually for 15 years, The Guardian reported on Sunday. 'The revenues would not turn the Palestinians into the next Qataris or Singaporeans, but it would be their own revenue and not aid, on which the Palestinian economy remains dependent,' he said. Gas was discovered in 2000 in the Gaza Marine field, a joint venture between BG Gas and the Palestinian Consolidated Contractors Co. Despite initial hopes of ending energy shortages in the Gaza Strip, the project has been repeatedly stalled over ownership disputes, lack of sovereignty, and political instability. 'The Oslo Accords agreed in 1993 clearly give the Palestinian National Authority jurisdiction over territorial waters, the subsoil, power to legislate over oil and gas exploration and to award licenses to do so,' Barron said. 'Control over natural resources was an important element of (the) state-building agenda of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israeli exploitation of Palestinian resources was and remains a central part of the conflict,' he added. Israel has historically blocked development over concerns that revenue could reach Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. An Israeli court once ruled the waters a 'no-man's water' due to the PA's lack of sovereignty, and Israel has long claimed any license 20 miles off the Gaza coast should be seen as a gift, not a right. Barron said that if Palestine were recognized as a state, particularly by countries where major oil firms are based, it would 'effectively end the legal ambiguity' and allow the PA to develop the field and achieve energy independence from Israel. A separate controversy has emerged over Israeli-issued gas licenses in a disputed area known as Zone G. Lawyers acting for Palestinian human rights groups recently warned Italian energy firm Eni not to proceed with exploration, saying 'Israel cannot have validly awarded you any exploration rights and you cannot validly have acquired any such rights.' Eni has since told Italian campaigners that 'licenses have not yet been issued and no exploratory activities are in progress.' Activist group Global Witness also argues the East Mediterranean Gas pipeline, which passes through waters claimed by Palestine, is unlawful and does not provide any revenue to the PA. The 56-mile pipeline transports gas from Ashkelon in Israel to Arish in Egypt for export. The issue has gained new attention following a UN report by Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. She warned corporations of their potential legal liability for supporting Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, citing international court rulings. Her report concluded companies have a 'prima facie responsibility 'to not engage and/or to withdraw totally and unconditionally from any associated dealings with Israel, and to ensure that any engagement with Palestinians enables their self-determination.'' Israel has rejected the report in full. Barron argues that, with Israel now self-sufficient in gas, 'so long as a Palestinian state with unified governance is recognized, Israel will have no motive or legal right to block Palestine exploiting its single greatest natural resource.'
France 24
5 days ago
- Climate
- France 24
Canada wildfires burn area the size of Croatia
In 2023, Canada's worst-ever fire season, 42.9 million acres of land were scorched, an extraordinary scale of damage that focused international attention on the growing threat of wildfires boosted by human-induced climate change. Canada has counted some 3,000 wildfires in 2025, with 561 burning as of Friday, according to official figures. "This is one of the highest cumulative areas burned for this time of year, behind the record setting fire season of 2023," an official with Canada's natural resources ministry, Michael Norton, told reporters. But, he added: "unlike 2023, when fire activity didn't level off, what we're seeing this year is a more normal pattern of burning." According to figures dating back to 1983, Canada's second most destructive fire season was 1995, when 17.5 million acres burned, a mark that may be passed this year. Elevated temperatures and dry conditions led to a difficult spring this year, particularly in the central provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. While the intensity of fire activity diminished in June, officials warned the coming two months tend to be the most active nationally, with conditions favorable for burning expected in several areas, including the western province of British Columbia. Indigenous Canadians have been disproportionately impacted, with 39,000 First Nation residents displaced so far this year. In recent years, Canada has experienced warming at least twice as fast as the rest of the globe. Linked to climate change, rising temperatures lead to reduced snow, shorter and milder winters, and earlier summer conditions that are conducive to fires, experts say.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Nova Scotia sending another crew to fight wildfires in Saskatchewan
Nova Scotia is sending a crew of firefighters to Saskatchewan. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia) Nova Scotia is sending a crew to Saskatchewan to help fight wildfires in that province for the second time in two months. The province says a crew of 20 firefighters will fly to Saskatoon on Saturday. 'Western Canada is having a tough wildfire season, they need our help, and we're in a good position to help,' said Tory Rushton, minister of Natural Resources, in a news release. 'I thank Nova Scotians for following the daily burn restrictions. By limiting wildfires in our province, we not only avoid devastation in our communities – we can also send another crew to our friends in need in Saskatchewan.' Nova Scotia sent a team of 20 firefighters to the prairie province in late May. That group returned in June. According to the Government of Saskatchewan, there are 50 active wildfires in the province as of Friday. There have been 376 total wildfires to date. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
