Dubai Plans Emissions-Free Public Transport by 2050

Dubai has provided incentives and advantages for using zero-emission transportation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dubai has provided incentives and advantages for using zero-emission transportation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Dubai Plans Emissions-Free Public Transport by 2050

Dubai has provided incentives and advantages for using zero-emission transportation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dubai has provided incentives and advantages for using zero-emission transportation. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Dubai plans to make public transport in the emirate emissions-free by 2050, the government's media office said on Monday.

“The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is making continued efforts to plan for sustainable and environmental-friendly public transport and integrate it as part of its strategic plans as reflected in its Strategic Goal: Safety and Environmental Sustainability,” said Nasir Bu Shehab, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, RTA.

“Such a drive contributes to curbing climate change and supports the long-term national initiative rolled out by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, in 2012 to foster a green economy in the UAE under the theme: Green Economy for Sustainable Development,” he added.

"This also supports the commitment of the UAE to the Paris Agreement on climate change to reduce the emissions in the UAE by 23.5 percent by 2030,” he remarked.

The highlights include broadening the use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and buses in the fleets of public transport, school buses, taxis and limousines to reach the targeted 100 percent rate by 2050.

It also calls for widening the use of clean energy, such as solar power, in the premises and facilities of the RTA, rehabilitation of the existing buildings, and introducing the construction of almost emission-free buildings in all new projects.

More efficient street lighting will be in place by 2035 and 100 percent of municipal waste across RTA projects will be recycled as of 2030.

"The roadmap of the plan – which is benchmarked against the best practices in New York, Denmark, UK, France and Japan – is based on three strategic pillars: green mobility, infrastructure, and circular economy," Bu Shehab said.

"The plan estimates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 8 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and saving about 3 billion dirhams by 2050," Bu Shehab added.



Europe Gas: Prices ease ahead of Trump-Putin phone call

Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
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Europe Gas: Prices ease ahead of Trump-Putin phone call

Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Representation photo: Smoke is released from one of the chimneys of the Dora (Daura) Thermal Power Station in the Dora district in southern Baghdad on January 9, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

Dutch and British wholesale gas prices eased on Tuesday morning as the market awaited any news on a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine but low storage levels remain a concern and weather forecasts are mixed.
The Dutch front-month contract inched down by 0.55 euro to 40.65 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) by 0917 GMT, LSEG data showed.
The Dutch May contract was down 0.68 euro at 40.57 euros/MWh, while the day-ahead contract eased by 0.20 euro to 40.80 euros/MWh, Reuters said.
In Britain, the day-ahead contract was down 1.01 pence at 101.75 pence per therm.
All eyes will be on the outcome of the call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for 1300-1500 GMT and whether it may lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine, analysts at Energi Danmark said.
"Until then, the market is caught in uncertainty," they added.
Traders holding speculative long positions in the gas market have become nervous that a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could see the resumption of some Russian pipeline gas into Europe, analysts at ING said in a note.
Meanwhile, fresh tensions in the Middle East, with new Israeli air strikes on Gaza, could provide some bullish market sentiment, said LSEG analyst Yuriy Onyshkiv.
"Later this week, warmer temperatures are expected but the long-term view still forecasts below seasonal normal levels which may continue to pressure gas storages," consultancy Auxilione said in its daily market report.
EU gas storage sites were last seen 34.84% full, compared with nearly 60% seen at the same time last year, data from Gas Infrastructure Europe showed.
In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract edged down by 0.12 euro to 69.99 euros a metric ton.