As an indicator of the EU's disappointment with the slow rate of economic integration and reform resulting from its current aid programme to MENA countries, a new aid plan will be developed that will focus on environment and energy. In a press release by the EU published by the Associated Press last week, the Union proposed a revamp of its multibillion-euro aid program toArab countries and Israel,... [read more]

This is the summary of the scenario session on energy perspective in WEF MENA 2008 as posted on the WEF website.   Juan G. Aguiriano• Connie Hedegaard • Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber • Sauat Mynbayev Scenario Champion: • Tony Hayward Moderator: • Nic Frances    The world faces a huge challenge to satisfy the ever-rising global demand for energy and also cut emissions of greenhouse gases... [read more]

The relationship between the banking sector and environmental protection is really vague. In fact, for a lot of environmentalists and bankers these are two completely isolated worlds. However, thanks to the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) banks have became real pioneers in financing carbon trading deals. A senior executive of Doha Bank, a major Qatari private commercial bank, sought... [read more]

By: Batir Wardam   Few Arab cities, including Amman and Dubai took part in the symbolic initiative done two weeks ago to turn off lights in cities for one hour in an activity called Earth Hour advocated by the World Wide Fund (WWF). For many of the still evolving species of Arab environmentalists, this was a much celebrated step.    All Arab environmentalists know for certain that when it came... [read more]

Three Gulf states - Qatar, Kuwait and Oman - are expected to sign up soon to a World Bank programme aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by finding commercial uses for natural gas that is still burned, or flared, as a by-product of oil production. Amid growing awareness of climate change and the need to conserve resources for their expanding water and power needs, the Gulf states are seeking... [read more]

A recent report published by the High Representative and the European Commission to the European Council stated that climate change poses a real security threat for the EU and international stability. This report focuses on the impact of climate change on international security and considers the impact of these international security consequences for Europe's own security, and how the EU should respond... [read more]

This is a comprehensive article that was published in Time magazine describing the current wave of renewable energy innovations coming out of the UAE. Again the focus here is Masdar city but with more investigative reporting than public relations   By: Bryan Walsh   If you want to see the future of sustainable design, drive southwest from Abu Dhabi's international airport, stop when you... [read more]

Source: the Jordan Times By Taylor Luck   With soaring global oil prices, the Kingdom is pinning hopes on attempts to utilise its potential of renewable and alternative energy sources. “The energy sector is in a dangerous situation and we need rapid change in the way we approach energy,” National Energy Research Centre (NERC) President Malek Kabariti told The Jordan Times recently. According... [read more]

This is one of the most promising and exciting project proposals to emerge for years. In fact, the idea to energize Europe with renewable energy from the Middle East could be one of the milestones of future energy security plans linking Europe with the Middle East.   The proposal is entitled DESERTEC and developed by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC). The detailed proposal... [read more]

Source: Financial Times   By Simeon Kerr in Dubai Published: February 10 2008   Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy initiative, Masdar, has laid the cornerstone of its carbon-neutral, waste-free city, saying it will invest $22bn in the hope that the project becomes a blueprint for sustainable development around the world.     Oil-rich Abu Dhabi said it was committing $15bn (€10... [read more]

A much welcomed concerted efforts by NGOs to exert pressure on Arab "leaders" for a uniform position on Climate Change, the Daily Star reports   By Michael Bluhm Daily Star staff Tuesday, February 12, 2008   BEIRUT: The Arab Climate Network will take its first step this week in creating a united Arab policy on climate change, as network co-founder Wael Hmaidan leaves for Jordan to talk... [read more]

Aramex became the first Jordanian company that declares commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The commitments were displayed in Aramex's "Sustainability report" that was published as an indication of its Social and Environmental Corporate Responsibility package. Aramex has previously announced its participation in the United Nations ‘Global Compact' initiative, a platform created to engage... [read more]

A recent report by Friends of the Earth Middle East (a regional environmental watchdog composed of Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli researchers) has warned that climate change is proving to be a new security threat facing the Middle East. The report states that extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, and less precipitation caused by climate change will contribute to even greater water... [read more]

By: Mohammad Yahia Published by: Islam Online     Every summer, over one million tourists flock to Alexandria, Egypt, to enjoy the sun and the beaches. The historic city, with its magical charm, is also home to four million people. But the beautiful fragile coastal city of the Mediterranean Sea stands to lose much from the imminent danger of climate change, and it may not even be Egypt's... [read more]

As if the Arab World does not have more than its fair share of catastrophies in the form of occupation, drought, civil wars, terrorism and oppression it is expected that Climate Change will add more mayhem, especially in North Africa.   According to a new report published by UNEP, Climate change is likely to aggravate old conflicts and could even turn into wars or violence in many parts of the... [read more]

Press release from IndyAct   Beirut; 9 Dec 2007 – Today and yesterday, six Arab countries participated for the first time in the ‘International Day of Action against Climate Change’ to demand Arab countries to take stronger action against this global problem. NGOs, governmental institutes and individuals from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and UAE joined citizens from more than 80... [read more]

This is my weekly article published in The Star newspaper for today.   A paradigm shift is being developed in energy management at the national level. The previous dependence on foreign oil imports is coming to an end with a new package of legislative, administrative and technological innovations aiming to steer the country into more reliable, sustainable and even environmentally friendly... [read more]

This is my weekly article publsihed in the Star newspaper today. I also would like to invite you for the first public event on climate change in Jordan organized by the Arab Climate Action Network in partnership with Greenpeace and United Nations University at 5:00 p.m on Saturday 8 December 2007 at the premises of the United Nations University Check the facebook event here http://www.facebook... [read more]

At last the Arab oil producing countries have got serious about the need to mitigate climate change. In the last OPEC summit held in Saudi Arabia, the Arab Gulf countries have decided to develop a US $ 750 million research fund for Climate Change. I only hope this vast amount of money will be used for a comprehensive package of introducing environmentally friendly technologies in the Arab World and... [read more]

Any activity that focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is always worth highlighting. Such activities can have a synergistic and cumulative effect to create a "social critical mass" to advocate for more climate friendly policies in such countries. In bahrain, a recent UNDP activity warned that Bahrain will have a lot to lose in case of... [read more]

The impressive World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain has just been shortlisted for the EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence. This is another documentation of the increasing popularity and appreciation of the sustainable building designs in some of the Gulf Countries. This is the report from AME Info   The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) designed by Atkins, has been short listed for the... [read more]

For the first time in the Arab world, a civil campaign has been developed and launched with a very strong message for pan-Arab coordination for action against the threat of climate change. This is the press release by IndyAct, the organization that has spearheaded the campaign:   Beirut:18 Oct 2007 – ‘Climate change is the biggest threat to our livelihood and our Arab governments are not taking... [read more]

It is not news anymore that the first global zero carbon and zero waste city will be established in Dubai, but I liked this article by gizmag blog as it includes a lot of technical details and some smashing prototypes. Enjoy the reading, and the photos   The sleek, modern capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, will be host to what is planned as the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste... [read more]

South-South environmental cooperation is still way below the real potential that it has in delivering experiences between developing countries and sharing resources and expertise. Any bilateral or inter-regional programmes will always be of great benefits provided a balanced set up is reached in the design of cooperation programmes. This is a very good example of cooperation between Morocco and Brazil... [read more]

In the last couple of months there has been a lot of global hype about biofuels being the magic bullet that will save humanity from the disasterous impacts of climate change by providing alternative and clean energy. However, skepticism is increasing with the potential side-effects of biofuels ranging from threatening agriculture and supply of food crops like corn, to the expected control of biofuels... [read more]

Fellow Tunisian blogger Subzero blue has published the story of another invention from the UAE. This time it is a floating solar island, conceptualised by the Swiss Firm CSEM and to be built with UAE money. For once I do not see this as a useful and strategic environmental innovation. Building Islands is a strange trend in the Gulf countries, and it causes a drastic impact on the marine environment... [read more]

It has spread like a contagious disease in the last few months, where many Arab countries are planning to introduce nuclear energy to drive the ever increasing thurst for water by desalination. Many oil producing and energy poor countries alike are putting together ambitious plan to go to the nuclear alternative either to produce enough electricity or water. This report from United Press International... [read more]

Thanks to my fellow Jordanian blogger Naseem Tarawnah I was facing the shock of my life. In his blog he teased his readers to guess who actually was saying the following sentences last week:   "In fact, the life of all of mankind is in danger because of the global warming resulting to a large degree from the emissions of the factories of the major corporations, yet despite that, the representative... [read more]

It has always been known from global warming predictions scenarios that the Nile Delta region in Egypt is highly vulnerable to any expected rise in sea water levels due to climate change. This fact has pushed Egypt show high interest in climate change research and adaptation measures, unlike most Arab countries still stuttering with the political and economic hurdles against full engagement in climate... [read more]

Source: Reuters   The date palms that have provided nourishment to desert caravans across the centuries could soon be fuelling cars. Omani entrepreneur Mohammed bin Saif al-Harthy and his associates at the Oman Green Energy Company have come up with a way to transform extracts from the region's ubiquitous date palm into biofuel. He knows it works, because he has been using the fuel to run... [read more]