Policy Briefs
Climate Change in the Middle East and North Africa: Between the Repercussions of a Lived Reality and the Opportunities for a Brighter Future
No.
PB 109
Publisher
ERF
Date
April, 2023
Topic
Q3. Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
In a nutshell
- Air pollution menacing life in the region: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region exceeds the global average of carbon dioxide emissions due to fossil fuel consumption and reliance on non-renewable energy sources, especially for high-income countries. This poses a multidimensional threat to human presence in the region.
- Striving for renewable energy: In recent years, some countries in the region have successfully increased their renewable energy capacity, but they are still far from the global average share of renewable energy in total energy supply. The region can capitalize on this upward progress, particularly through partnerships with the private sector.
- Scarcity of natural resources: As warming and rainfall patterns change, most countries in the region will see their water reserves dwindle throughout the twenty-first century. This water shortage has severely damaged the food security of most of the region's already fragile countries, causing much social unrest.
- A set of requirements must be considered: Policymakers must consider a range of political, financial, and technical requirements. Governments can cooperate by promoting renewable energy and investing in water infrastructure. Rich countries in the region can also provide compensation to poor countries through mechanisms such as climate finance, carbon pricing, and green bonds.
Research Fellows
Héla Miniaoui
Associate Professor, Lusail University, Qatar