SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A Review of the Actions of Key Middle Eastern States

The Middle East continues to play a leading global role in furthering advancements in sustainability and clean technologies, and this piece will look into the actions several key M.E. states are taking to bring about a greener and cleaner tomorrow.

The UAE Leads the Way

2023 is a massive year for sustainability in the Middle East, not only is the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) holding its 28th iteration in Dubai, but His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has announced that 2023 will be the “Year of Sustainability”.

According to the UAE government, the Year of Sustainability will include several initiatives, activities and events that draw upon the UAE's “deep-rooted values of sustainability and the legacy of its founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan”. It will also focus on environmental sustainability by inspiring collective action through a nationwide commitment towards sustainable practices, in line with the UAE’s national strategy to “bring together everyone who calls the UAE home to work towards a prosperous future”.

The year also aims to showcase the UAE’s commitment towards fostering a global collaboration in seeking innovative solutions to challenges, such as energy, climate change and other pressing issues related to sustainability. The yearlong initiatives are being overseen by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; and H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said, “Sustainability has been a fundamental principle in the United Arab Emirates since its unification. The nation continues to serve as an exceptional model for environmental conservation and resource management. The late Sheikh Zayed was a global leader in environmental and climate action, leaving behind a legacy that we continue to follow today.”

His Highness added, "Today for Tomorrow embodies the UAE's approach and commitment to sustainability and its responsibility to protect the future. By working, making efforts, and initiating actions today, we are ensuring that we leave behind a legacy of stewardship for future generations, just as our ancestors did for us.”

His Highness also emphasised that the Year of Sustainability has particular significance as the UAE prepares to host the 28th United Nations climate change summit, Conference of Parties (COP28). He stated that the UAE is determined for COP28 to set a precedent in the collective global efforts to address climate change.

His Highness also invited community members and institutions to engage with the initiatives and activities of the Year of Sustainability and come together in collective efforts that lead the nation towards a more sustainable future.

The Year of Sustainability solidifies the UAE's commitment in addressing current challenges and promoting sustainable practices at an individual and community level. Notable examples include the "Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative", which details the country's commitment to promoting environmental protection, and its efforts to create thriving communities ideal for living and working.

The announcement comes following the successful conclusion of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, which saw the participation of numerous state leaders and officials worldwide. This further cemented the UAE's position as a leader in promoting sustainability awareness both domestically and internationally and reinforces its commitment to tackling the challenges associated with it.

The UAE has long been a leader in promoting clean energy and building effective partnerships for the benefit of the global community. One notable partnership is the UAE-US Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE), which will catalyse US$100 billion in financing and other support in addition to deploying 100 new gigawatts (GW) of clean energy in the US, UAE, and emerging economies around the world by 2035.

Saudi Green Initiative

The UAE isn’t the only major Middle Eastern player making serious moves in sustainability, with Saudi Arabia too making a major commitment to climate action.

His Highness Mohammed Bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has recently launched the Middle East Green Initiative. This strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions and plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East. In November, he said the kingdom would contribute $2.5 billion to the initiative over the next ten years and host its headquarters. Saudi Arabia had said last year it aimed to contribute 15% of the $10.4 billion required for the fund’s clean energy projects.

Yet the good work doesn’t stop there, with Saudi Arabia making commitments to green change across the board. His Highness Mohammed Bin Salman said: “We are ushering in a new green era for the region; in which we are collectively leading and reaping its fruits, in our joint belief that the effects of climate change are not limited to the natural environment only, but also to the economy and security of our nations.”

Other initiatives include, the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) framework, which is an integrated, inclusive, and pragmatic approach to managing emissions. To date, Saudi has implemented more than 30 CCE initiatives across the energy system, enabling climate action while bolstering economic growth.

Alongside further investment and a commitment to global collaboration, Saudi Arabia has also stated its intentions to see out a major energy transition, involving both land protection and afforestation. The Kingdom is focussed on a “whole-of society ambition” that is activating public and private sectors and enabling citizens to achieve ambitious national targets.

Environmentalism in Egypt

Egypt is famed for the beauty and cultural heritage of its famous River Nile, yet one of the biggest environmental hazards facing Egypt’s biodiversity is the plastic pollution in the beloved river.

Reportedly, about 4.5 million tons of waste make its way into the Nile each year. Environmentalists and volunteers have decided to act. In keeping with Egypt’s tradition, the decision has been made to build a giant pyramid – inspired by the shape of the Giza Plateau – made entirely out of discarded plastic. Ahead of COP27 in 2022 (held in Egypt), the country rolled out several initiatives, the biggest of which was the commitment to plant 100 million trees and reduce the use of single-use plastic bags by instituting a country-wide ban.

Another major concern for Egypt is the health of its splendid coral reefs. Home to over a thousand species of fish and around 350 coral species, the United States Agency for International Development has committed up to $15 million to scale coral reef-positive blue economic growth and conservation finance in the Egyptian Red Sea in partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs during the COP 27 summit.

Sustainability in Oman

Oman’s sustainable city ‘Yiti’, a development by Sustainable Development Investment Company (SDIC), reaffirmed its commitment to roll out initiatives to support Oman Vision 2040 and the National Tourism Strategy by creating a green, energyefficient city, which is people-centric.

Reportedly, nearly 58 SMEs in Oman have also benefited from the job opportunities spurred by the sustainable city in the last two quarters. Among the ambitious projects in Oman is an agreement signed by Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) and Oman Aluminium Rolling Company (OARC). This agreement makes OOMCO the first fuel marketer providing biofuel in Oman and OARC the first enterprise to employ environmentally viable biodiesel contributing to a reduced carbon footprint. This is also a big step toward the achievement of the Oman 2050 Carbon Neutrality target, as biodiesel from the plant will reduce 4.3% of carbon emission, and OARC will employ B5 in its aluminium rolling operations as a quick fix to inch closer to its decarbonization goals.

Qatari Innovation

Qatar’s amazing FIFA World Cup 2022 will be remembered for more reasons than the headline-grabbing wins and upsets that marked football history. The World Cup several had sustainability initiatives, including Stadium 974. The 40,000-seat stadium, crafted by Spanish architects Fenwick Iribarren Architects, is the first entirely demountable stadium in World Cup history. The stadium, constructed with repurposed shipping containers and modular steel, is a relic of sporting history and sustainability.

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN

ZAYED AL NAHYAN p23

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH

MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM p24

MOHAMMED

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

BIN SALMAN AL SAUD p25

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH AHMED BIN

SAEED AL MAKTOUM p26

H.E. SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM p27

AMADOU DIALLO p28

CAPTAIN MOHAMED AL SHAMISI p29

PAUL GRIFFITHS p30

AMIN NASSER p31

OTHMAN ALJEDA p32

AHMED BAHROZYAN p33