5 Inspiring Climate Projects in the Middle East and North Africa:
Climate change is an issue plaguing the world; of course, the MENA region is not an exception. There is an urgent need for sustainable solutions in the region due to rising temperatures and increased energy demands. The MENA region is one of the world’s driest regions, and rising temperatures will likely worsen the drought situation. Fortunately, the MENA area is home to many innovative projects that are working to combat climate change and advance green technology.
Top 5 Climate Projects in the MENA Region
Saudi Green Initiative (Saudi Arabia)
The Saudi Green Initiative aims to promote the use of clean energy, reduce emissions, and safeguard the environment in alignment with Vision 2030. The goal is to enhance the standard of living and safeguard the well-being of future generations. The Saudi Green Initiative is responsible for managing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address climate change. It promotes collaboration between all sectors of society, including the public and private sectors, to quickly increase climate action.
Rise2030 (Lebanon)
RISE2030 is a community-led project in Beirut. Its main focus is to empower women and youth to improve living conditions in the most deprived areas of Lebanon. They hope to achieve this through education, employment, and empowerment. Two organizations, Sustain The World Org and Sustainable Empowerment for Youth International, manage the project. In 2019, thirteen female trainees constructed a solar system at a trash sorting and material recovery factory in Qaraoun, 85 kilometers southeast of Beirut.
Renewable Energy Projects (The State of Palestine)
Gaza’s electricity issue has been ongoing and severe. Power outages occur daily, impeding the functioning of factories and companies. To help resolve this issue, the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) financed the first private sector investments in domestic electricity supply in the West Bank and Gaza. PRICO Solar and Massader Solar are two distributed generation projects that are boosting power supply to help boost renewables and support economic development in the region. The PRICO solar facility, Gaza’s largest project of its kind, will generate and distribute up to 80% of the Gaza Industrial Estate’s electricity, keeping 32 industries operational and almost 800 people employed.
Fog Harvesting (Morocco)
Dar Si Hmad, a Moroccan women-led NGO, constructed and installed the world’s largest operating fog water harvesting system. It is a creative approach to addressing ongoing water scarcity in areas with high levels of fog. The technique draws inspiration from traditional water management methods. The Dar Si Hmad project offers drinkable water to over 400 individuals in five villages, with a focus on women and children who have easy access to it. The fog harvesting project is a great example of a community-led effort to adapt to climate change. It offers a sustainable water source that helps fight desertification while being eco-friendly.
Zero Carbon Police Force (United Arab Emirates)
The Dubai Police is working towards reducing its emissions and aims to become carbon neutral. This would make it the first police force in the world to achieve this goal. Dubai hopes to become the world’s most eco-friendly city by 2050. To achieve this, the Dubai Police are broadening their goals and tactics. The strategy has led to actions such as implementing green procurement and converting the police fleet to hybrid vehicles. Their project is linked to all aspects of their work, establishing a clear connection between their primary responsibilities and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
Conclusion
The Middle Eastern region is home to some of the world’s most inspiring climate projects. With continued investment in green tech and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the region has the potential to become a leader in sustainable development
