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The contribution of Arab countries to carbon emissions is limited, but the region is one of the most affected by climate change, according to the Abu Dhabi-based Arab Monetary Fund (AMF).

As Arab countries aim to enhance their efforts and actively participate in finding fair solutions to the challenges of climate change, during the upcoming COP28, from November 30 until December 12, in the UAE, they plan to introduce new climate initiatives, as well as complete previously announced initiatives.

These initiatives support the Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 in addressing climate change via balanced economic growth and environmental protection, achieving net-zero emissions, and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

According to the AMF report — A Vision on the Position Towards Climate Change and Policy Options – The Road to COP28, Arab countries are increasingly adopting renewable energy sources to diversify their energy mix and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They have also expanded their role in compensatory measures, such as tree planting and carbon capture technologies.

The report states that the Arab Group, the 22 Arab countries are one of the main negotiating groups in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), meets daily to develop strategies for their positions. All members of the Arab Group are also part of other groups, such as the African Group and the Group of 77 and China.

The report points to the growing trend of most Arab countries to integrate sustainability into their policies and practices to balance economic growth and environmental protection for the benefit of the current and future generations.

At Egypt’s COP27, members of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) pledged to provide joint funding of $24 billion by 2030 to address the global climate crisis. 

Initiatives such as Green Middle East showcase the Arab region’s cooperation in climate, whereby efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 10% of global contributions are practiced. The initiative also aims to reduce carbon emissions from oil production in the region by more than 60%.

Furthermore, the UAE has supported the implementation of multiple infrastructure and clean energy projects worldwide, investing in renewable energy projects in 70 countries with a total value of nearly $16.8 billion. COP27 saw an agreement between the UAE and Egypt to develop a 10-gigawatt offshore wind power project in Egypt.

Meanwhile, during COP28, Jordan intends to announce the framework for the Climate-Linked Refugees initiative (Climate/Refugee Nexus), which aims to prioritize supporting host countries that bear the burden of climate change.

The Arab Youth Centre launched the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change in August 2021, working as a regional platform that enhances the interaction of Arab youth with environmental issues.