Long after the headlines move on, conflict continues to shape how communities rebuild and how much of the future still feels possible.

For years, talk of U.S. ambitions in the Arctic had been treated as provocation. That changed after Washington’s dramatic intervention in Venezuela…

2025 marked ten years since the Paris Agreement. The milestone brought mixed emotions. Progress in renewable energy and electric vehicles, yet global warming projections still hovering around 2.3–2.8°C. COP30 in Belem, Brazil, delivered the Belem Package with commitments to triple adaptation finance and amplify indigenous voices.

The UAE and GCC are undergoing a major transformation in sustainability. National agendas like the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are pushing companies to align with global standards, expand transparency, and build low-carbon business models.

The Gulf region is at the centre of the global debate on human rights and corporate accountability. With migrant workers forming the majority of the labour force across the GCC, questions about recruitment practices, fair wages, and living conditions are inextricably linked to business operations.

We spoke to Bhaarat Verma, an independent sustainability consultant whose work moves fluidly across ESG strategy, responsible investment, regulatory reporting, and brand communication.

In this second installment of our two-part interview with Sara Ahmed Alliusie Alhilali, we pick up right where we left off—venturing deeper into the heart of climate negotiations.