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]

By: Batir Wardam   Simple questions do not always have simple answers. If we want to ask "what is the best country in the world in environmental performance?" it will need a laborious effort in analyzing and comparing various environmental indicators and still end up with vagueness.   To this end, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was introduced by researchers from Yale University to... [read more]

For the first time in its long history of debates in the cold mountains of Davos and the scorching heat of the Middle East, the World Economic Forum will finally tackle the issue of sustainability and environmental challenges at length in its forthcoming meeting in Sharm El Sheik from 18-20 May. The forum will be held under the theme "Learning from the Future" where participants from business, government,... [read more]

The World Bank has published its annual global monitoring report which aims to shed light on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. This year's report had a focus on MDG 7 about environmental sustainability.   Regarding the MENA region the World bank report states that the Middle East & North Africa region is off track on an important environment-related target – to halve... [read more]

By: Batir Wardam   It has became a common conclusion for both environmentalists and "green economists" alike that any breakthrough in commitment to environmental remediation will only be economically feasible when the evidence is conclusive that the cost of remediation is less than the cost of inaction, and that economic benefits can arise from investing in environmental management options. It... [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]

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]

The FAO conference for near east starts with a call to use huge oil revenues in supporting agricultural activities. This is a good idea that need to be realised. This is the news item by FAO media   Increased revenues from oil exports could provide an excellent opportunity to boost public investment in agriculture in the Near East, a region faced by food insecurity, land degradation, water... [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]

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]

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]

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 the full declaration of the Arab Corporate Environmental Responsibility Summit that was held in Abu Dhabi on November 29th 2007   Business leaders, meeting at the Arab Corporate Responsibility Summit in Abu Dhabi on 29 November 2007, Being aware of the magnitude of environmental challenges facing the Arab region and the world; Realizing that low-carbon technology will be the driver... [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]

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]

Source: AME Info   The emerging concept of green buildings has already attracted some of the biggest developers in the region, particularly in Dubai's booming real estate sector. But will the green concept impress not only conservationists, but also investors and developers who are looking for greener fortunes? LEEDing the way Some of the green initiatives in the real estate and construction... [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]

In Arab countries with scarce water resources and shortage of money and technologies for desalination, the option of greywater reuse and treatment is gaining a lot of potential. Despite problems that appeared in small-scale applications of greywater resuse in households the technologies are getting better and cheaper. The main element will be for the local community itself to adopt the technologies... [read more]

Source: Jordan Business June 2007   By: Nina Robertson   When Khaled Bushnaq decided 16 years ago to set up a firm that would provide technical consultancy in the field of energy conservation, most people were more than a bit skeptical. Energy conservation was almost entirely unheard of in the Middle East, and businesses were certainly not factoring energy-saving measures into their... [read more]

A great article provided to Arab Environment Monitor by Mr Wael Hmaidan. I thank him for a very sharp insight.   By Wael Hmaidan IndyAct Executive Director   More than 200 environmental and social activists from around the World met in London on the 12th and 13th of May to discuss a global campaign on climate change. The discussion was not about the importance of the issue or the need... [read more]

The involvement of Parliamentarians in environmental policies is considered, in theory a major contributor to better lefgislation and policies aiming at environmental sustainability. However this involvement has not been subjected to an impact analysis yet.   Recently, The 6th Meeting of the Circle of Mediterranean Parliamentarians for Sustainable Development (COMPSUD) took place on 3-4 May... [read more]

It is very unfortunate that the Arab World is still lagging behind all regions in CDM projects. In a quick survey of UNEP Risoe website that contains database of pipeline CDM projects is is shocking to see that only few Arab countries are actually developing adequate CDM projects. The vast majority of projects (97%) are in Latin America and Asia and the Pacific. No Arab country appears in the... [read more]

An interesting regional project is trying to incorporate the values of biodiversity conservation in ecotourism projects in three Arab countries: Jordan, Syria and Lebanon through the replication of the Dana Wild life Reserve- Ecotourism model in Jordan. The aim of the BCTE project is to contribute to biodiversity conservation and at the same time to contribute to poverty alleviation through employment... [read more]

Enforcement of, and compliance to environmental legislation is a major determinant factor in proper environmental management. The MENA region and the Arab World have managed to develop some modern environmental legislation in the past few years but still experimenting with enforcement and compliance. One of the main resources and networks that provides technical assistance in this issue is the International... [read more]

The Arab Environment Monitor blog is always searching for new ideas and modifications of its focus seeking to provide a unique source of information with a specific identity. While reviewing the past 14 months of the AEM lifespan, and analysing the content posted at this blog I have came to realize that this blog offers a good source of information about the diagnosis and monitoring of environmental... [read more]

Khaleej Times 31 May 2007   Building projects in the Middle East will unnecessarily consume over 112 billion litres of potable water over the next two years putting increasing pressure on groundwater reserves and desalination plants, said a construction industry expert yesterday. Jeff Stephenson, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Oryx, a Qatar-based construction company, was... [read more]

Source: Jordan Times 27-5-2007   Representatives from seven Arab countries convened in Wadi Rum last week to look into the reintroduction of the Arabian Oryx into countries of the Arabian Peninsula, which are considered its original habitat. During the two-day meeting, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi briefed members of the coordination committee... [read more]

Middle East Events 27.5.2007   Arab states were urged to upgrade and develop national standards and specifications for water uses of various kinds including those for the transportation and distribution of water. This came in a set of recommendations made by a two-day workshop on “Integrated Water Resources Management”, organised last week by Environment Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT), Dubai... [read more]

The World Bank has published a new voluminous report on water scarcity conditions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).   The WB press release states that " The report discusses how water management solutions need to be considered as part of the wider economic policies of the countries of the region. "Meeting the water needs of the growing population of the Middle East and North Africa... [read more]