<p>Have you played a role in sustainability or environmental conservation? If so, there's a new opportunity for you. The UAE Cabinet has unveiled a 10-year Blue Residency visa for people who have made remarkable contributions to environmental protection. This announcement came during a Cabinet meeting presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Qasar Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (May 15).</p>

<p>“In alignment with the national directives declared by the UAE President, to designate 2024 as the year of sustainability in the UAE, we introduced the ‘Blue Residency’, a 10-year residency granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to environment protection, whether in marine life, land-based ecosystems, or air quality, sustainability technologies, the circular economy, or related fields. The sustainability of our economy is now linked to the sustainability of our environment… Our national orientations are clear and firm in this area,” Sheikh Mohammed said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-unlocked-committed-to-deter-all-forms-of-illicit-finance-says-uae-721616">Also read | Dubai Unlocked: UAE vows to crack down on all forms of illicit finance</a></p>

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<h2><strong>Who is eligible for UAE's Blue visa?</strong></h2>

<p>The Blue Residency visa is available to&nbsp;people committed to environmental action. Eligible candidates include members of international organisations, international companies, associations, non-governmental organisations, and recipients of global awards. Distinguished activists and researchers in the field of environmental work also qualify. This visa encompasses sustainability initiatives both within and outside the UAE.</p>

<h2><strong>How to apply for the Blue Visa</strong></h2>

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	<li><strong>Direct Application:</strong> Apply through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.</li>
	<li><strong>Nominations:</strong> Receive a nomination from competent authorities within the UAE.</li>
	<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong> Obtain recommendations from relevant organisations or authorities.</li>
</ul>

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<h2><strong>What are the other residency options?</strong></h2>

<p>The UAE generally issues residency visas with a two-year validity. In 2019, the UAE introduced the 10-year Golden Visas for investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, and humanitarian pioneers. Three years later, the country introduced five-year Green Visas for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
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Have you played a role in sustainability or environmental conservation? If so, there's a new opportunity for you. The UAE Cabinet has unveiled a 10-year Blue Residency visa for people who have made remarkable contributions to environmental protection.

Have you played a role in sustainability or environmental conservation? If so, there's a new opportunity for you. The UAE Cabinet has unveiled a 10-year Blue Residency visa for people who have made remarkable contributions to environmental protection. This announcement came during a Cabinet meeting presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Qasar Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (May 15). “In alignment with the national directives declared by the UAE President, to designate 2024 as the year of sustainability in the UAE, we introduced the ‘Blue Residency’, a 10-year residency granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to environment protection, whether in marine life, land-based ecosystems, or air quality, sustainability technologies, the circular economy, or related fields. The sustainability of our economy is now linked to the sustainability of our environment… Our national orientations are clear and firm in this area,” Sheikh Mohammed said. Also read | Dubai Unlocked: UAE vows to crack down on all forms of illicit finance Who is eligible for UAE's Blue visa? The Blue Residency visa is available to people committed to environmental action. Eligible candidates include members of international organisations, international companies, associations, non-governmental organisations, and recipients of global awards. Distinguished activists and researchers in the field of environmental work also qualify. This visa encompasses sustainability initiatives both within and outside the UAE. How to apply for the Blue Visa Direct Application: Apply through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. Nominations: Receive a nomination from competent authorities within the UAE. Recommendations: Obtain recommendations from relevant organisations or authorities. What are the other residency options? The UAE generally issues residency visas with a two-year validity. In 2019, the UAE introduced the 10-year Golden Visas for investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, and humanitarian pioneers. Three years later, the country introduced five-year Green Visas for skilled professionals, freelancers, investors, and entrepreneurs. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE launches 10-year Blue Residency visa for environmental champions. All you need to know

<p>New York has become&nbsp;first state in the US to ban the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in the majority of new buildings. This is an important win for climate activists, but it could encounter pushback from the fossil fuel industry.</p>

<p>Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers, who control the New York Senate and Assembly, passed the new $229 billion state budget containing the bill late on Tuesday night in response to rising pressure from environmentalists and climate-conscious voters, as reported by CNN.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The law effectively promotes the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves in new housing developments across the state by outlawing gas-powered stoves, furnaces, and propane heating. By 2026, all new buildings under seven floors must have all-electric heating and cooking, and for higher buildings by 2029.</p>

<p>There are exceptions to the state's budget's gas ban for certain large commercial and industrial buildings, including supermarkets, hospitals, Laundromats, and restaurants. However, the effect on new residential structures could be significant. According to a report from 2022, buildings are responsible for 32 per cent&nbsp;of New York State's greenhouse gas emissions.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-e-jean-carrolls-rape-claim-ridiculous-disgusting-story-in-video-testimony-at-trial-588675">Trump calls E. Jean Carroll’s rape claim ‘ridiculous, disgusting story’ in video testimony at trial</a></p>

<p>Other cities have taken the lead even though New York is the first state to pass such a law. The first US city to pass a law prohibiting natural gas hookups in newly constructed buildings was Berkeley in 2019.</p>

<p>In a statement, Hochul spokesperson Katy Zielinski said the new budget “will protect our families and our residents, while putting New York on trajectory to a cleaner, healthier future.”</p>

<p>The state's new law was opposed by the natural gas industry, that claimed that it restricted consumer options.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Vice Media group on the brink of bankruptcy</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/vice-media-group-on-the-brink-of-bankruptcy-588113/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“Any push to ban natural gas would raise costs to consumers, jeopardize environmental progress and deny affordable energy to underserved populations,” American Gas Association president and CEO Karen Harbert said in a statement.</p>

<p>New York's budget deal&nbsp;pushes other climate change initiatives in addition to banning natural gas, such as creating publicly owned renewable energy projects that would generate green jobs and implementing a cap-and-invest programme that would require companies with a higher carbon footprint to buy permits to pollute. The funds raised by the cap-and-invest initiative would support programmes that lessen the effects of pollution&nbsp;responsible&nbsp;for global-warming.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


New York has become first state in the US to ban the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in the majority of new buildings. This is an important win for climate activists, but it could encounter pushback from the fossil fuel industry.

New York has become first state in the US to ban the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in the majority of new buildings. This is an important win for climate activists, but it could encounter pushback from the fossil fuel industry. Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers, who control the New York Senate and Assembly, passed the new $229 billion state budget containing the bill late on Tuesday night in response to rising pressure from environmentalists and climate-conscious voters, as reported by CNN. The law effectively promotes the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies like heat pumps and induction stoves in new housing developments across the state by outlawing gas-powered stoves, furnaces, and propane heating. By 2026, all new buildings under seven floors must have all-electric heating and cooking, and for higher buildings by 2029. There are exceptions to the state's budget's gas ban for certain large commercial and industrial buildings, including supermarkets, hospitals, Laundromats, and restaurants. However, the effect on new residential structures could be significant. According to a report from 2022, buildings are responsible for 32 per cent of New York State's greenhouse gas emissions. ALSO READ | Trump calls E. Jean Carroll’s rape claim ‘ridiculous, disgusting story’ in video testimony at trial Other cities have taken the lead even though New York is the first state to pass such a law. The first US city to pass a law prohibiting natural gas hookups in newly constructed buildings was Berkeley in 2019. In a statement, Hochul spokesperson Katy Zielinski said the new budget “will protect our families and our residents, while putting New York on trajectory to a cleaner, healthier future.” The state's new law was opposed by the natural gas industry, that claimed that it restricted consumer options. ALSO WATCH | Vice Media group on the brink of bankruptcy “Any push to ban natural gas would raise costs to consumers, jeopardize environmental progress and deny affordable energy to underserved populations,” American Gas Association president and CEO Karen Harbert said in a statement. New York's budget deal pushes other climate change initiatives in addition to banning natural gas, such as creating publicly owned renewable energy projects that would generate green jobs and implementing a cap-and-invest programme that would require companies with a higher carbon footprint to buy permits to pollute. The funds raised by the cap-and-invest initiative would support programmes that lessen the effects of pollution responsible for global-warming. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

New York becomes first US state to ban use of gas stoves, furnaces in new buildings

Vegan and environmental groups have caused major disruptions over the weekend in the city of London. More than a hundred people have been detained by the Metropolitan Police in the UK Capital.

WION Climate Tracker: Environmental activism causes disruption in the UK capital