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2024: The Hottest Year In Human History – A Turning Point For The Planet

For the first time in recorded history, global warming breached the critical 1.5°C threshold in 2024, marking an alarming new chapter in the climate crisis. According to data from the European Earth Observation Programme Copernicus, the average surface temperature last year soared to 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels, making 2024 the warmest year ever documented.

This milestone also marked a grim first: average temperatures exceeded the targets outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to cap warming at “well below” 2°C and ideally limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2024, each year has ranked among the ten hottest on record. Notably, every continental region experienced record-breaking heat in 2024—except Antarctica and Australasia.

Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus program, explained to the Financial Times that last year’s unprecedented wave of climate disasters—from severe floods to scorching heatwaves—was no statistical fluke. Instead, these events were direct consequences of human-driven climate change, exacerbated by rising levels of carbon dioxide and methane.

“Reaching the 1.5°C threshold is like toppling the first domino in a catastrophic chain reaction. We’re toying with forces we can barely control. Every fraction of a degree pushes us closer to more violent storms, prolonged droughts, and increasingly lethal heatwaves,” warned Patrick McGuire, a climate expert from the University of Reading, in an interview with the FT.

While human activity remains the primary driver of these changes, the now-concluded El Niño cycle also played a role in last year’s extreme temperatures. With El Niño officially ending in June 2025 is expected to be slightly cooler, though the underlying trend of rising temperatures remains unbroken.

Adding to the urgency, 2024’s record heat coincided with a worrying global shift in climate priorities. Some businesses scaled back their sustainability initiatives, and political rhetoric in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump signaled a potential retreat from the Paris Agreement.

As the world grapples with these realities, 2024 stands as a stark reminder: the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but a present-day emergency demanding immediate and unified global action.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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