The Middle East Green initiative aims to mitigate climate change and promote environmental sustainability through projects like tree planting and land reclamation, contributing to a reduction in global carbon emissions.

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan are among the Middle East countries proactively developing their renewable energy sectors through large-scale projects.

The Middle East is experiencing severe climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and desertification, making it one of the most vulnerable regions to these effects.

Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, are expected to benefit from increased oil revenues due to their significant natural petroleum resources and dominant position in the region's oil production.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the Middle East Green initiative, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through projects such as planting 50 billion trees and reclaiming degraded land.

The capacity of Benban Solar Park in Egypt is 1,800 megawatts.

The United Arab Emirates is investing up to AED 200 billion in renewable energy as part of its energy transition strategy, demonstrating the country's commitment to a low-carbon future.

Gulf Cooperation Council countries are transitioning to renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, as part of their efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce environmental impacts.

Vision 2030 is a program in Saudi Arabia that prioritizes the development of renewable energy sectors, including green hydrogen, as part of its efforts to diversify its economy and modernize its society.

The United Arab Emirates aims to increase its share of clean energy to 50% by 2050 as part of its energy transition strategy.

The Middle East Green initiative aims to mitigate climate change and promote environmental sustainability through projects like tree planting and land reclamation, contributing to a reduction in global carbon emissions.

Title:

Content: Dust storms.
sources and danger.
|
At the beginning of this year's spring season, the incidence of dust storms increased significantly.
Their frequency varies from year to year, but generally increases in the transitional periods between seasons, especially spring and autumn, for many reasons, some natural and others of a human nature, that is, by man.
Dust storms are fast winds that transport dust and plankton, causing a lack of visibility at short distances.
Despite the great controversy over the causes of dust or dust storms and the fact that the camel bears full responsibility for their occurrence, as stated in one of the videos circulated on social media, the reasons are not limited to the poor camel alone, even if it is one of the reasons!
The causes of dust storms are many, including: (1) Desertification as a result of drought resulting from low rainfall.
(2) Desertification due to human activities associated with overgrazing as a result of increasing numbers of camels and sheep on pasture capacity.
(3) Extensive agricultural activities, especially ploughing the land and leaving it exposed for long periods.
(4) Soil movement as a result of development and military actions and absurd car tracks in deserts that led to the breaking and dismantling of the soil and the destruction of vegetation cover.
(5) The reduction of the surface groundwater table, which led to the drying of the soil and thus the impact on the vegetation cover.
Globally, sub-Saharan Africa is the main contributor to Earth ’ s dust storms, which travel to the Americas via the Atlantic Ocean via tropical east winds.
But the Fertile Crescent has also become a source of dust, due to the halving of agricultural production as a result of climate change.
Iraq is one of the sources of dust storms as a result of the decline of the level of rivers, which led to the drought of the marshes and lakes in Iraq and Iran, and add to the list of sources open deserts of the Kingdom, which suffer environmental degradation as a result of human tampering of unfair grazing and wood and the like.
Dust storms are one of the factors responsible for increased allergic reactions, asthma attacks and chronic breathing problems, as well as blood vessels and heart disease.
Dust storms are also carriers of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, germs and viruses that cause certain diseases.
Besides, dust storms have economic effects, they adversely affect agricultural production by transporting agricultural pests, reducing photosynthetic activity, destroying crops, as well as affecting infrastructure, by reducing visibility, disrupting energy and air and road transport systems, burying railways, as well as contributing to the deterioration of the performance of solar panels, as well as damaging residential property.
There is no doubt that dust storms and their increased frequency are a warning sign that requires a rapid response through a review of environmental regulations, the need to raise the environmental awareness of the population, the organization of grazing seasons based on the identification of the pastoral capacity of each region, as well as innovative solutions to mitigate desertification that benefit from tremendous technical progress.
Finally, it follows from the above that the problem is not country-specific, but a regional problem that requires concerted efforts.
The Green Middle East initiative by Prince Mohammed bin Salman is designed to design innovative solutions to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through a number of projects, including: planting 50 billion trees across the Middle East region and reclaiming 200 million hectares of degraded land through afforestation, which contributes to a 2.5 per cent reduction in global carbon emissions.
Publish it.

The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan are among the Middle East countries proactively developing their renewable energy sectors through large-scale projects.

Title:

Content: Contribution ｜ Explore Hong Kong ’ s role and opportunities in the development of renewable energy in the Middle East
Author: 01 More Voices
Published: Updated:
In recent years, Hong Kong has actively promoted the development of renewable energy and launched a number of related products in the financial market.
In addition, more and more Hong Kong enterprises have also started to participate in the development of this industry, especially in the financial market, and launched a number of financial products to support the development of renewable energy.
At the same time, many countries in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey, are also actively engaged in various large-scale projects to promote the development of renewable energy, and expect to see a different energy mix and economic development model in 2030 or 2050.
For Hong Kong, China and other countries, the development opportunities of the Middle East market cannot be ignored, and Hong Kong ’ s participation in this area cannot be underestimated.
Submitted by: Kwong Cheuk-wui
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in several seminars on economic and energy development in the Middle East, and have in-depth exchanges with government representatives in charge of foreign affairs and trade from various Middle Eastern countries and Azerbaijan.
These exchange experiences provide the author with a wealth of insight.
After many in-depth talks, to understand the interest and momentum of the development of renewable energy in many countries in the Middle East, the author synthesized the information from various parties and came to the following insights: The reason why the major oil producers in the Middle East are actively developing renewable energy is to achieve economic diversification and get rid of dependence on oil and related industries.
They hope to turn the country ’ s surplus renewable energy into new, dependable foreign revenues (i.e., revenues generated from natural resource exports; “Rents ”) through innovative technologies.
For other non-oil producing countries, they want to achieve economic sustainability through the development of renewable energy, reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels or electricity imports, and convert renewable energy into new external rental income to boost the country ’ s economic development.
From this, it can be seen that the Middle East countries are very concerned about the development of renewable energy, but also hope to complete the energy transformation as soon as possible, and look forward to renewable energy can produce more and greater economic benefits, create new dependent income, promote economic diversification and modernization, but also benefit thousands of people.
As a result, many countries in the Middle East have invested heavily in and promoted energy transformation and clean energy development.
Although many countries have made extraordinary achievements in driving renewable energy development, they also face many challenges.
Jordan, for example, has a wealth of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal and bioenergy, as well as state-of-the-art renewable energy laws, regulatory mechanisms and development frameworks.
Earlier this year, Jordan successfully achieved its national roadmap, originally set for 2030, with renewable energy accounting for 31% of total energy.
The Jordanian government also plans to increase this target to 50%, and is committed to building the country into a regional renewable energy development center and exporting environmentally friendly power to neighboring countries to increase the country ’ s foreign revenue.
However, like other Middle Eastern countries, Jordan faces a host of challenges.
These challenges include lagging energy infrastructure, imperfect grid planning, an over-concentration of resources on solar and wind with less focus on geothermal energy, and a lack of energy storage systems and foreign investment.
In addition, there is the debt problem of the national power company.
These difficulties not only affect Jordan ’ s progress in developing renewable energy, but also act as a barrier to modernizing and diversifying the country ’ s economy.
Some Jordanian officials and scholars are concerned about whether the development of renewable energy is progressing as expected.
They are concerned that if the development of renewable energy and its core economic development model are not carried out smoothly, or if the newly set targets are not successfully achieved, the country ’ s economic sustainability will be adversely affected.
At the same time, it can undermine the credibility and governance of the government.
In particular, those political forces that have been opposed to the use of renewable energy to promote economic development and diversification may take the opportunity to launch opposition actions, further endangering the political stability and regional security of the country and the Middle East as a whole.
It is worth noting that these challenges are not only in Jordan, but also in Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco and Egypt.
Other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also made great efforts to develop solar and wind power in recent years, but in addition to the above concerns and challenges, there are also concerns that the development of renewable energy will have some impact on the high dependence of these countries ’ economies on oil and gas markets, which may affect existing incomes and lead to economic and social instability.
Other factors include the huge demand for capital, the need for foreign technology and talents, the need for talent training, economic feasibility, etc. These are also issues of concern to the officials of these Middle Eastern countries.
These challenges are in fact a valuable development opportunity for Hong Kong.
The key is to make good use of our strengths, especially in the Belt and Road Initiative, to work with the Middle East countries to promote renewable energy and green economy development.
This not only helps these countries diversify their economies, but also creates development opportunities for Hong Kong businesses and governments, and indirectly promotes the development of other industries.
I suggest that Hong Kong can establish cooperation platforms and channels of communication with transnational organizations in the Middle East and North Africa, such as the Arab Parliamentary Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Turkic Parliament and the Arab Maghreb Union.
Such a platform could be used to explore free trade agreements and to help Middle Eastern countries provide services such as finance, advisory, legal, education or training, and energy infrastructure.
This will not only help Hong Kong consolidate its leading position in the professional services sector and the financial sector, but will also directly or indirectly create many development opportunities, especially in Islamic finance.
Finally, Hong Kong can consider providing financial support to the Middle East countries by assisting in the issuance of Islamic financial bonds to promote the development of renewable energy, and can also take the opportunity to develop Islamic finance in Hong Kong as a new financial center outside the Islamic world.
Of course, Hong Kong should not only cooperate with major countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates or the above-mentioned multinational organizations and platforms, but also consider other regions with development potential and worthy of investment, such as Turkey, Azerbaijan, Morocco, etc.
This diverse collaboration will help Hong Kong expand its international presence and contribute to global sustainability in the renewable energy sector.
The author, Mr Kwong Cheuk-rui, is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Group of Ideas, a Master of Arts from the Australian National University, and has worked at the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
The article is only the opinion of the author and does not represent the position of Hong Kong 01.
Please email us at 01view @ hk01.com.
Please attach the author ’ s real name and contact details.
If not applicable, without prior notice.

The Middle East is experiencing severe climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and desertification, making it one of the most vulnerable regions to these effects.

Title:

Content: Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs “coming together ” to tackle climate change | Politics and economics | In-depth analysis with a broader perspective than DW | DW | 24.03.2023
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Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs ‘ coming together ’ to tackle climate change
The United States has launched a new initiative that brings together Israel and Arab countries to address climate change in the region, but the initiative faces the challenges of building trust between the parties as well as finding sources of funding for joint projects.
Agriculture could be a common area for addressing climate change among Middle Eastern countries
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change. The region ’ s countries have been hit hard by rising temperatures, water scarcity and desertification, with more serious consequences ahead.
Organisers of a regional conference on agriculture, water and food security said the issue of tackling the effects of climate change was pushing for more cooperation.
The conference, which brought together experts from Israel, the Palestinian territories and Arab and Muslim countries, aims to develop practical programs to address regional challenges.
William Wechsler, director of the N7 initiative, which organized the conference last week in Abu Dhabi, said that “a lot can be achieved in the region through collaboration. ”
The initiative promotes cooperation between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain, Sudan and the UAE within the framework of the Abraham Accords.
In this context, Wechsler said there are many areas for joint cooperation such as water, lowering food prices and providing security for the people of the region, adding that agriculture is an ideal basis for cooperation in the field of climate change.
Not only is agriculture the only area where progress can be made quickly, but it can also affect the people of the Middle East and North Africa, he said, warning that “if we miss the opportunity to address climate change right now, the window of opportunity will eventually close. ”
While there are challenges to strengthening cooperation between governments and the private sector, Wechsler believes that people who are actively engaged in tackling climate change and its implications are eager to collaborate.
In an interview with DW, he said that "scientists and engineers are considered scientific figures who are interested in ultimately solving problems regardless of affiliations."
Many people think the Middle East is far from the threat of climate change, but here ’ s the truth.
Financing joint ventures
Fawzi Bakkawi, director of Morocco ’ s National Institute of Agricultural Research, believes that his country could benefit from Israel in this area, adding: “There is Israeli experience in particular in the efficient use of water in irrigation systems and the development of more flexible and appropriate agricultural crops. ”
According to a report issued by the World Bank last year, Morocco is among the countries suffering from high water stress, with Morocco ’ s water resources among the weakest in the world, while this affects the agricultural sector, especially as the phenomenon of climate change worsens.
“Israel has made significant progress in biotechnology or genomics and all of these areas can be beneficial to Morocco as well, ” he said.
However, funds for joint Moroccan-Israeli projects or to promote academic exchange remain limited.
Bakawi said he applied to the Merck Foundation, which funds projects between Israel and U.S.-based Arab signatories to the Abraham Accords, for a grant.
Morocco and other countries could benefit from technological advances in irrigation in Israel
Yousef Wahbi, a researcher at the National Meteorological Center in Abu Dhabi, said during a podcast organized by the Middle East Institute that “most research departments in the region have limited avenues for funding research conducted by foreign organizations. ”
At the climate summit in Glasgow in 2021, rich countries pledged $40 billion a year by 2025, while the issues of financing joint projects between countries to combat climate change are more complex.
He explained that most forms of financing come in the form of loans to implement mitigation projects with climate change, such as reducing the use of fossil fuels by relying on solar and wind energy, which is profitable for the lending countries.
But Wehbi said funding for climate change adaptation projects was low, as "sources of funding are difficult to find and these projects are less attractive to funding countries than projects that generate profits for lending countries."
He called for enhanced cooperation in scientific research aimed at addressing climate change globally "for the exchange of ideas between the scientific community globally".
Egypt is seeking to address wheat shortages and inflation by growing crops that need less water.
Confronting climate change to reduce conflicts
Jamal al-Saghir, former World Bank director, said that cooperation between countries is the best solution, adding that "regional cooperation is in the interest of all and carries with it more benefits than national or bilateral projects."
In an interview with DW, Sagheer, who is also an expert on agriculture and climate change and a professor at Canada ’ s McGill University, said most countries in the Middle East “are not doing enough so far in the face of climate change despite the acceleration of this phenomenon. ”
A new climate study shows that the Middle East is warming twice as fast as the global average, with potentially devastating effects on its people and economies.
As a result, more than 400 million people in the region are at risk of extreme heatwaves, prolonged droughts and rising sea levels, the study said.
However, Sagheer believes that the region can overcome these issues through technology and believes that Israel and the Gulf states can take the lead, adding that “Israel is a leader in desalination and irrigation and the countries of the region will benefit greatly. ”
He pointed out that the UAE has invested heavily in the field of renewable energy, stressing that "joint cooperation will lead to the introduction of new ideas in the field of research and development, which can be implemented later in other countries."
He asked: “What are these countries waiting for?
We have to start now. ”
According to the study, the temperature in the Middle East is increasing at an average of 0.45 ° C per decade.
Building Confidence
Tarek Abu Hamad, executive director of the Wadi Araba Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel, believes cooperation among other scientists across the region to tackle climate change could pave the way for “confidence-building efforts. ”
"We live in a small region that is a hotspot when it comes to climate change, so we have no other choice but to cooperate with each other to deal with these challenges," he said.
Alex Pletsas, one of the researchers involved in the N7 initiative, noted that the conference is hopeful: “The great thing I saw in Abu Dhabi was sitting with an Arab diplomat from a Gulf country in a traditional Arab dress and an Israeli businesswoman late at night.
to see how to improve the lives of the people of the region. "
Jennifer Hollis / m.
p.

Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, are expected to benefit from increased oil revenues due to their significant natural petroleum resources and dominant position in the region's oil production.

Title:

Content: Report of the American Chambers: Investment interest in the services sector in North Africa
Tuesday ، 28 February 2023 01: 00 AM
American Chamber
Books by Abdul Halim Salem
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The report of the Council of American Chambers of Commerce in North Africa and the Middle East revealed that the hallmark of the group of North African countries, the abundant workforce, supported by a large number of young people, and the range of jobs requiring high and low skills, pointing out that the service sector in North Africa is diverse and promising, attracting the attention of international and regional investors in sectors such as logistics, maritime services, shipbuilding and most importantly, tourism.
As a result, national governments across North Africa aim to increase their exports regionally and internationally.
The report added that the Middle East and North Africa region has significant natural petroleum resources, which have attracted global capital in oil-related industries, revealing that since November 2022, the region ’ s average oil production has reached about 34.1 million barrels per day, dominated by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
After decades of focusing on oil products, many Gulf countries are now adopting new export diversification strategies, led by high-tech components, and attracting new investments for unconventional sector projects.
He noted that the Levant countries are a regional home for authentic folklore arts and crafts, and professional talent.
Despite the ongoing political instability in this area, these countries are also involved in agriculture and across different regions.
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the Middle East Green initiative, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability through projects such as planting 50 billion trees and reclaiming degraded land.

The capacity of Benban Solar Park in Egypt is 1,800 megawatts.

Title:

Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Economy: Benban and the Gulf of Suez are among the largest renewable energy projects
Economic Middle East magazine, which specializes in economics and energy, said that the Benban solar park and the Gulf of Suez wind project in Egypt are considered among the largest renewable energy projects in the Middle East.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Middle East
The Middle East has long relied on oil and gas, not only for revenue but also for power generation, but in the past years, the region has positioned itself as a leader in the renewable energy sector, boasting numerous renewable energy projects.
From 2023 to 2028, Mordor Intelligence expects the renewable energy market in the Middle East to grow by 13.43% annually.
The Arab Clean Energy Initiative was launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and during the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit of 2013, the League of Arab States adopted the initiative, with leaders pledging to increase renewable energy generation capacity in the region from 12 GW in 2013 to 80 GW by 2030.
Benban Solar Park
Located in Aswan, Egypt with a capacity of 1,800 megawatts, Benban Solar Park is valued at $4 billion and includes 41 solar power plants, one of the largest solar PV parks in the world, spanning 37 square kilometers and containing 7 million photovoltaic panels, this initiative is a component of Egypt ’ s Renewable Energy Feed Tariff (FiT) program, which was unveiled in September 2014.
Gulf of Suez Wind Power Project
In November last year, ACWA Power and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) signed a memorandum of understanding, and together they will invest in a 1100 MW wind power project in Jebel Zeit and the Gulf of Suez. The project is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world, and aims to provide power to more than one million households and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons.

The United Arab Emirates is investing up to AED 200 billion in renewable energy as part of its energy transition strategy, demonstrating the country's commitment to a low-carbon future.

Title:

Content: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues have become increasingly prominent on the global stage as organisations recognise the need to integrate sustainability into their operations.

As the Middle East moves towards a low carbon future, sustainability has become a top priority for organisations and governments across the region.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai announced while launching the National Hydrogen Strategy that the UAE is to invest up to AED 200 billion ($54.5 billion) in renewable energy.

The launch of a AED 4 billion renewable energy plant in Dubai,  and the world’s largest waste-to-energy plant are proof of sustainability climbing the agenda.

With COP 28 being held in the UAE this year, there is a renewed sense of urgency on climate change action, and the net-zero carbon target is being prioritised through policies and actions.

After all, sustainability will boost the UAE’s economic competitiveness, drive innovative policy and improve investment opportunities.

The region has seen notable sustainability innovations, including Saudi Arabia’s rapid transition to a circular carbon economy, Bahrain’s state oil company refinancing a $2.2 billion sustainability-linked corporate finance facility, and Oman’s exploration of green hydrogen as a clean energy source.

However, the Middle East faces its own unique challenges in implementing ESG practices, especially around accurate sustainability reporting and implementing early regulations to fill in previous gaps.

Other challenges that hinder the progress of the region’s ESG agenda include the talent gap, how corporates in the region address the need to implement ESG practices, as well as data availability.

Regulatory frameworks

While standardised frameworks and reporting guidelines begin to form, the lack of clear regulations can hinder consistent measurement and disclosure of ESG performance.

Global frameworks have now become more widely adopted in the region such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the newly published International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

The gap in standardisation previously posed challenges for investors and stakeholders who relied on transparent and comparable ESG data for decision-making, however, we are starting to see drastic changes in this area.

Data availability

Many companies in the Middle East still face challenges in collecting, managing, and reporting ESG data, which can hinder their ability to effectively assess and manage their sustainability performance.

Data is the first step to measure any status, but also measure progress. Improving data collection mechanisms and investing in robust reporting systems will be instrumental in addressing this challenge.

ESG talent gap

Organisations need individuals with specialised knowledge and expertise in ESG practices to drive sustainable strategies effectively. Alongside this specialised knowledge, the industry also needs innovators, risk takers, agitators for change, mentors, and communicators in the field. There is however, a shortage of skilled professionals in the region with a deep understanding of ESG principles to drive innovative solutions.

Bridging this gap requires investment in education and training programmes to build a skilled workforce capable of integrating ESG considerations into business practices. Universities and training institutions are therefore increasingly offering courses and programmes on sustainability and ESG and businesses are partnering with academic institutions to develop tailored training initiatives and internships, nurturing a pipeline of talent equipped with the required knowledge and skills.

These efforts will cultivate a sustainable workforce capable of implementing and driving ESG practices in the Middle East.

Implementation by region’s corporates

Despite the challenges, corporations in the Middle East are embracing ESG practices, recognising the importance of sustainability and responsible business conduct. We see this through accelerated electrification and the increase of decarbonizing energy supply.

The GCC’s oil-producing nations have made efforts to diversify energy sources, transitioning towards net-zero carbon fuels for transportation. Investments in renewable energy, such as solar and wind, aim to mitigate environmental impacts and promote a low-carbon economic future transforming the economic system and supply chain.

Additionally, social considerations are gaining prominence. Companies are addressing social issues through initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and employee welfare.

Governance practices are also being strengthened to ensure transparency, accountability, regulatory reforms and ethical conduct.

While obstacles in integrating ESG practices persist in the Middle East, corporates in the region are proactively embracing sustainability and responsible business practices.

That the Middle East is emerging as a leader in ESG adoption is apparent through their fullfillment of the UN SDG goals which has driven positive environmental, social, and governance outcomes for businesses and society as a whole.

Gulf Cooperation Council countries are transitioning to renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, as part of their efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce environmental impacts.

Vision 2030 is a program in Saudi Arabia that prioritizes the development of renewable energy sectors, including green hydrogen, as part of its efforts to diversify its economy and modernize its society.

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Content: ECONOMY
German Foreign Ministry: Kingdom establishes first office for hydrogen diplomacy in Middle East
Thank you for reading the news about the German Foreign Ministry: the Kingdom establishes the first office of hydrogen diplomacy in the Middle East and now we start with the details
DAMMAM (Reuters) - The German Foreign Ministry ’ s official website highlighted the strategic importance of the Kingdom ’ s opening of the Middle East ’ s first hydrogen diplomacy office in cooperation with Berlin on February 27, at a time when the climate crisis is a major challenge, but it also creates opportunities.
According to the article, “Fossil fuel producers in particular need to adapt the way they do business.
A second German office for hydrogen diplomacy after Nigeria, the first of its kind in the Middle East, is now being opened in order to strengthen cooperation in this key sector.
Energy can be stored and transported as hydrogen, making it possible to generate solar energy in the desert, for example, and then deliver it to where it needs to be.
Hydrogen plays an important role in the global energy transition.
However, this shift also involves radical changes in the economic systems and linkages that make up our interconnected world, and is therefore an issue of geopolitical importance, as traditional fossil fuel producers need to adapt their economic model to support this type of energy, and so Germany is establishing hydrogen diplomacy offices in strategically important partner countries.
In terms of the opportunities and challenges created by the global energy transition, the role of hydrogen diplomacy offices is to increase dialogue with strategic partner countries, covering areas such as the development of the international hydrogen market, and to strengthen cooperation in order to harness the opportunities this market creates.
The promotion of hydrogen and its end products also generates competitive advantages for the Kingdom and around the world.
Therefore, innovative hydrogen offices are tasked with providing expertise, and analytics that monitor the local and regional impact of the energy transition.
Another key part of their role is building relationships between decision makers, experts, and companies from both countries.
Hydrogen is also an element of bilateral economic cooperation, shaping the future of this vast market around the world.
The German Foreign Ministry website said: The Kingdom has launched the Vision 2030 program to diversify its economy and modernize its society.
As part of the program, this new Office of Hydrogen Diplomacy makes the development of renewable energies and green hydrogen a priority.
“German companies are contributing to these efforts, and the Office of Hydrogen Diplomacy will now help the Kingdom strengthen cooperation between Riyadh and Berlin in this area. ”
Innovative hydrogen offices are tasked with providing expertise and analysis that tracks the local and regional impact of the energy transition.
The promotion of hydrogen and its end products generates competitive advantages for the Kingdom around the world
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The United Arab Emirates aims to increase its share of clean energy to 50% by 2050 as part of its energy transition strategy.

Title:

Content: Fossil fuels, which have powered the industrial growth and development of civilisations for centuries, are facing a looming deadline of depletion. Moreover, they have caused severe environmental and social problems, such as climate change, conflicts, and pollution. The need for alternative and sustainable energy sources is clear and urgent. However, the transition to a post-fossil fuel era is not easy or straightforward. It requires innovation, investment, cooperation, and vision.

This article explores the challenges and opportunities of global energy transformation, focusing on the dual nature of fossil fuels, the countdown to their exhaustion, and the promise of renewable energy sources. It also highlights the progress and potential of some countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which is one of the most dependent regions on fossil fuels in the world.

Fossil Fuels: A Double-Edged Sword

Fossil fuels, comprising oil, coal, and natural gas, are ancient energy sources that have been central to the development of various industries and sectors. They have enhanced transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and electricity generation. They have catalysed global trade, commerce, and innovation, elevating the quality of life for millions.

However, this ascent has been coupled with profound challenges. Fossil fuels have been a source of geopolitical strife, epitomised by wars and conflicts over their control and distribution. They have also exacerbated environmental issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and climate change. Incidents like oil spills, gas leaks, and fracking have inflicted severe damage on ecosystems and public health.

The Countdown to Depletion

The finite and non-renewable nature of fossil fuels leaves humanity facing a daunting deadline. Predicting the exact exhaustion of these resources is a complex endeavour, influenced by reserves, consumption rates, technological advancements, and price fluctuations. Nonetheless, projections based on current data paint a concerning picture.

According to Octopus Energy, the year 2060 may mark the twilight of fossil fuels, based on current consumption and reserve estimates. In 2020, global oil production reached 91.7 million barrels per day (b/d), with key players like the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia at the forefront. Simultaneously, natural gas production stood at 3.94 trillion cubic meters (bcm). Although the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily curtailed production, a resurgence is anticipated. In contrast, natural gas consumption steadily rises by over 3% each year.

Should additional oil reserves remain elusive, known deposits could be depleted by 2052. The stark reality is that demand for oil has surged, nearly doubling the average annual rate observed over the preceding decade in 2018.

Toward a Sustainable Energy Paradigm

The global imperative for alternative energy sources is clear. Sustainable options, even if not entirely devoid of environmental impact, have become a linchpin of energy discussions. The quest for sustainability is no longer optional; it is fundamental to securing a prosperous future.

Embracing alternative and sustainable energy solutions is our paramount responsibility. The adverse consequences of persisting with fossil fuels are increasingly undeniable. Furthermore, incidents such as oil spills, gas leaks, and fracking have grievously scarred ecosystems and human health.

The geopolitical maelstrom surrounding fossil fuels is a testament to their strategic importance. By reducing our dependence on these finite resources, we can contribute to global stability and peace.

The Promise of Sustainable Energy

Investing in sustainable energy is not merely an ecological commitment; it is a strategic move to safeguard long-term energy security. Renewable sources like solar and wind power do not suffer the same spectre of depletion as fossil fuels, offering a reliable and sustainable energy future. Moreover, technology’s relentless march is enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these alternatives, ensuring a seamless transition.

In this era of unprecedented global challenges, the unsustainable trajectory of fossil fuels is no longer tenable. Transitioning to renewable and sustainable energy sources is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity. As we confront the relentless march of climate change, endeavouring to secure long-term energy stability and foster global peace, embracing this transformation is our only viable path toward a sustainable and prosperous future. It is a journey we must embark upon with unwavering determination and foresight.

The MENA Region: The abundance of wisdom

The MENA region stands as an interesting case study for global energy transformation. The region is one of the most dependent regions on fossil fuels in the world. According to the World Bank, the region accounted for 36% of the global oil production and 20% of the global gas production in 2018. However, the region also faces many challenges and risks related to its reliance on fossil fuels, such as price volatility, environmental degradation, social unrest, and geopolitical conflicts.

Therefore, some countries in the region have started to prepare for the transition to a post-fossil fuel era by diversifying their economies, investing in renewable energy sources, and promoting innovation and sustainability. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the MENA region has a huge potential for renewable energy development, especially solar and wind power. The report estimates that the region could generate more than 60% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Some of the countries that have made significant progress in this field are:

• UAE: The UAE has been a leader in innovation and sustainability in the region, with a vision of becoming a global hub for green economy and clean energy. The UAE has set a target of increasing its share of clean energy to 50% by 2050. The UAE has invested in various renewable energy projects, such as the Shams 1 solar thermal plant, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is planned to be the largest single-site solar park in the world by 2030. The UAE is also home to Masdar City, which is a planned city that aims to be one of the most sustainable cities in the world. Also, UAE is one of the 10 largest oil producing countries with a proven reserves, according to BP statistical reviews, of 100 billion barrels.

• Morocco: Morocco has been a pioneer in renewable energy development in the region, with a target of achieving 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Morocco has invested heavily in solar power projects, such as the Noor Ouarzazate complex, which is the largest concentrated solar power plant in the world. Morocco also has a strong wind power sector, with a capacity of over 1.2 gigawatts (GW) as of 2019.

• Egypt: Egypt has also been pursuing an ambitious renewable energy strategy, with a goal of reaching 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Egypt has a large potential for solar and wind power, especially in the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea coast. Egypt has launched several large-scale projects, such as the Benban Solar Park, which is expected to be the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the world when completed, and the Zafarana Wind Farm, which is one of the largest wind farms in Africa.

These are some examples of countries in the MENA region that are prepared for after fossil fuels era. However, there are still many challenges and barriers that need to be overcome, such as policy and regulatory frameworks, financing and investment mechanisms, public awareness and participation, and regional cooperation and integration.

The world is at a crossroads in its energy choices. Fossil fuels have been instrumental in driving industrial growth and development, but they have also caused severe environmental problems. Their finite nature also poses a threat to long-term energy security. The need for alternative and sustainable energy sources is clear and urgent.

Renewable energy sources offer a promising solution to this challenge. They are abundant, reliable, and sustainable. They can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change impacts, and foster global peace. They can also create new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and social welfare.

— Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi is a former UAE minister of Infrastructure Development and for Climate Change and Environment