Sustainability Actions Reshaping the Middle East:
The highest global risks by impact and probability are environmental threats, such as severe weather, ineffective climate action, and human environmental harm, according to The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2021. Hence globally, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, which puts pressure on firms to integrate sustainability into every aspect of their operations. These hazards include high pollution levels, biodiversity loss, drought, and water shortages.
Some countries in the Middle East have already made steps to improve sustainability and boost their resilience since the region is particularly susceptible to climate concerns. Investors now give sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards a high priority in their business strategies due to the urgency of combating climate change.
This article focuses on some of the reshaping sustainability actions in the middle east.
4 Sustainability Actions Reshaping the Middle East
Saudi Arabia Vision 2030
One of the key sustainability actions reshaping the Middle East today is Saudi Vision 20230. Saudi Arabia is one of the foremost countries in the Middle East taking sustainability actions. The Kingdom’s vision 2030. Vision 2030 places sustainability at the center of all policy and investment decisions and all planning and infrastructure construction in the Kingdom.
By using the enormous natural potential for solar and wind power and major investments in sustainable technology, landmark projects have been launched to diversify energy supplies and optimize the nation’s energy mix. It is expected that by 2030, up to half of the power generated will come from renewable sources. Hence, through lowering emissions and increasing the use of high-value fuels in the production of power, these energy initiatives contribute significantly to sustainability.
Qatar dismountable stadium
The 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar will be remembered for more than only the memorable victories and shocks that made football history. Stadium 974 is one of several World Cup environmental efforts. The 40,000-seat stadium is the first wholly demountable stadium in World Cup history and was designed by Spanish architects Fenwick Iribarren Architects. The stadium is a remnant of athletic history and sustainability since it was built from recycled shipping containers and modular steel.
Saudi Arabia Air Capture Plant
Saudi Arabia is developing its first Direct Air Capture facility and has launched eight pilot projects to investigate the viability of using hydrogen in the transportation industry. The plant that will remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is now in the design stage. Saudi Arabia said in November that it will establish a carbon capture and sequestration center with a first-phase storage capacity of 9 million tonnes of CO2 by 2027 and an expansion to 44 million tonnes by 2035.
Dubai Can
The Dubai Can is a project focusing on people and businesses to decrease the amount of single-use plastic water bottle trash in the city. Over 3.5 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles have been eliminated due to the program. It is expected that this critical project can play a role among sustainability actions reshaping the Middle East in this decade.
Final Thoughts
The issue of sustainability is no longer a theoretical problem that must be solved in the future. It’s a mandatory requirement that has to be implemented immediately and expanded. Nations have incorporated sustainability into their long-term plans, meaning new rules and regulations will be needed.
