Region needs to attend to rising temperatures

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Abu Dhabi - Climate change is one of the most important environmental issues at the regional and international levels given its economic and social impact.

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Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Wed 27 Nov 2019, 6:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 27 Nov 2019, 8:53 PM

The extreme rise in temperatures and high humidity are the biggest climate change challenges facing the GCC region and nations need to join hands to develop a unified model that can help protect the environment, a top UAE official has said.
Fahed Al Hammad, acting assistant undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCE), cautioned: "Temperatures in the UAE and the Gulf region were very high especially in the hot months, reaching highs of 50 degrees Celsius in the UAE during summer this year.
"We must create a unified model for the GCC region to address the impacts of climate change and protect the environment from global warming."
Al Hammad was speaking at a media briefing by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on UAE's preparations for the 25th session of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25, which will take place in Madrid, Spain, from December 2-13. He noted that at the forthcoming conference, the UAE, with a delegation of 80 members, including 40 students, will present its climate change study - the first-of-its-kind in the region - which is about oceans and the South Pole and how the oceans have been impacted by climate change.
"Climate change is one of the most important environmental issues at the regional and international levels given its economic and social impact," said Al Hammadi. He added that the UAE has adopted key environment-friendly policies including economic diversification, energy sources diversification, while focusing on green economy and promoting renewable and clean energy as well as energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
The UN annual Climate Change Conference is designated to take the next crucial steps in the UN climate change process. A key objective is to complete several matters with respect to the full implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The conference will take place under the presidency of the Government of Chile.
Jorge Daccarett, Ambassadar of Chile to the UAE, said retaining the presidency is a decision based on conviction of the urgent need to continue mobilising the fight against climate change.
"This trans-formative agenda points towards a more just, human and sustainable development," said Daccarett.
He added: "Our high vulnerability and increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have generated higher demand for resources. Our planet is facing extreme weather phenomena such as severe droughts, more frequent extreme floods, large-scale wildfires, torrential rains and hailstorms, all of them affecting development capabilities and triggering social conflicts."
The conference, which will attract more than 25,000 participants, will launch a platform of climate solutions for the oceans.
It is the first climate change conference before the implementation of the Paris Agreement scheduled for 2020. Nations will use this platform to seek to boost the alliance for climate action, by incorporating new actors and new issues, especially highlighting the importance of governments and local companies.
Among other issues to be highlighted is the importance of the cryosphere as a global climate regulator, the role of science, electromobility and renewable energies.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com


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