14 December 2023. REUTERS DUBAI: Iraq has reservations over an item in the final COP28 deal that restricts its capabilities to work “to implement its commitments to the Iraqi people and national interests,” according to a government statement on Thursday. The government praised the efforts of the Iraqi negotiators who it said were able to […]

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Naharnet Newsdesk  Majestic cedar trees towered over dozens of Lebanese Christians gathered outside a small mid-19th century chapel hidden in a mountain forest to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, the miracle where Jesus Christ, on a mountaintop, shined with light before his disciples. The sunset’s yellow light coming through the cedar branches bathed the […]

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Tunisian dams are filled at just 22 percent capacity and some 20 dams have already gone out of service. Published On 13 Dec 202313 Dec 2023 Tunisian villager Ounissa Mazhoud ties two empty jerry cans to a donkey and cautiously descends a stony hill towards the last local source of water. The North African country, […]

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By JT – Dec 09,2023 AMMAN — Jordan and Bahrain have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering cooperation between the two kingdoms in the field of environment protection, climate change, the green economy and the management of natural reserves. Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh and his Bahraini counterpart Mohammed Bin Daina, who signed the memo […]

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By JT – Dec 13,2023 AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday signed an agreement worth $15 million, supported by  a $4.5 million contribution  by the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) to provide an additional 12 million cubic metres to the national water system.  The agreement, […]

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MPs called on global leaders to recognize the challenges in Gaza and other conflict-afflict, climate-vulnerable communities. By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN. DECEMBER 13, 2023 A group of European parliamentarians has published an open letter highlighting how the Israel-Hamas conflict compounds the environmental and humanitarian challenges in both Israel and Gaza. Several dozen parliamentarians signed the letter, which was disseminated via the Action […]

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Many of those who planned on participating at COP28 joined their compatriots and went to serve in the IDF to protect their country. But for other Israelis, COP28 was simply not a safe place to be.  By LAURA KAMDECEMBER 16, 2023  Perhaps not surprising but a shame nonetheless, the war raging in Israel and Gaza, thanks […]

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Climate tech has become a “sweet spot” for the Jewish state regarding the Abraham Accords because “what these countries are looking for is what Israel has to offer.” By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN. DECEMBER 14, 2023  The Abraham Accords Peace Institute (AAPI) released a new report on Wednesday highlighting three years of climate cooperation between Israel, the United […]

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December 18, 2023  REUTERS DUBAI: BlackRock has agreed to invest up to $400 million in Dubai-based decarbonization company Positive Zero through a diversified infrastructure fund, Positive Zero said in a statement on Monday according to Reuters. The investment will help Positive Zero, a decentralized decarbonization infrastructure business, with its goal of boosting energy transition projects in […]

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The Global Tipping Points Report was launched at COP28 on 6 December 2023. The report is an authoritative assessment of the risks and opportunities of both negative and positive tipping points in the Earth system and society. Narrative Summary Harmful tipping points in the natural world pose some of the gravest threats faced by humanity. […]

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Advocacy group Adam Teva V’Din presents roadmap for rebuilding more greenly, as government set to approve framework for 5-year plan to rehabilitate southern border communities By SUE SURKES.  10 December 2023 With the government set Sunday to approve a framework for a five-year strategic plan to rehabilitate and develop the damaged Gaza border area, the environmental […]

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Contaminated sewage poses a potential threat to agriculture, as toxins can seep into the soil and adversely impact farming practices. By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMANDECEMBER 12, 2023 The Israel-Hamas war that started on October 7 carries with it the potential dangers to the country’s environment and public health, as well as community resilience, according to a team of […]

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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair   Posted12 Dec 2023 Key points Hostilities and casualties (Gaza Strip) Displacement (Gaza Strip) Electricity Health care, including attacks (Gaza Strip) Food security Water and sanitation (Gaza Strip) Hostilities and casualties (Israel) Violence and casualties (West Bank) Settler Violence Displacement (West Bank) Funding HUMANITARIAN NEEDS AND RESPONSES: 4 […]

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On the 75th International Human Rights Day, climate change representatives from 25 organizations united to advocate for human rights and social justice for those held captive in Gaza. By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN. DECEMBER 10, 2023 “How can we talk about environmental justice when basic human rights were violated on October 7 and continue to be violated to […]

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Naharnet Newsdesk Israeli environmental experts have called on the defense establishment to carefully weigh the long-term environmental implications of reported plans to flood the immense network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip with seawater to flush the Hamas militants out. Quoting U.S. officials, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the Israeli army last month […]

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By JT – Dec 07,2023  AMMAN — In light of the multifaceted threats to human security posed by climate change in Jordan and the disproportionate impact on women, a research paper by the WANA Institute and International Alert explored approaches to local development, agriculture and management of natural resources that integrate an understanding of the gendered impacts […]

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December 2023 full report: https://www.international-alert.org/publications/gender-climate-and-cohesion/#:~:text=Women%20in%20Jordan%20are%20particularly,to%20climate%2Drelated%20social%20tensions. introductionL As one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, Jordan is particularly vulnerable to water-related hazards, such as floods, and climate change.  The close interaction between water and climate change continues to exacerbate the challenge of reduced water for agriculture, cities, businesses and social systems, and to have […]

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By JT – Dec 11,2023 AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud on Sunday called for enhancing global cooperation and coordination to address the impact of climate changed on the water sector. Abu Soud made his remarks during his participation in multiple sessions at COP28 in Dubai, where over 40 water and environment ministers, […]

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editor’s notes: The full report,recommeded, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-11-13/gulf-nations-must-overhaul-everything-to-meet-climate-goals?srnd=green-united-nations-climate-summit] contains remarkable photographs. When Dubai hosts the COP28 climate conference, the tension between Gulf countries’ net-zero targets and reliance on fossil fuels will be front and center.  By Nayla Razzouk and Olivia Rudgard November 13, 2023  In Dubai, it’s normal to leave your air conditioning running at all times, even if you […]

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November 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS About Mesia Foreword FOREWORD In 2023, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is at the forefront of sustainable initiatives, marked by its commitment to declaring 2023 as “The Year of Sustainability.” This dedication underscores the nation’s ambition to emerge as a global leader in addressing the critical issues outlined by the […]

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