Analysis Sustainability Middle East air pollution among worst in the world Air pollution levels in the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena) are among the highest globally, and concentrations of harmful particulates are increasing in many of the region’s cities as economic activity returns to pre-pandemic levels. Measurements and definitions can vary, so Switzerland’s IQAir created a standardised air quality app to monitor and compare […] October 6, 2023
Sustainability Taiwan’s Miniwiz to build UAE upcycling plant A Taiwanese architect who co-founded the business Miniwiz is looking to turn the UAE’s rubbish into riches with the opening of an upcycling plant in Abu Dhabi. Arthur Huang, who is also Miniwiz CEO, promotes the concept of a circular economy, upcycling consumer and industrial waste into usable products. The circular economy involves breaking from […] October 5, 2023
Renewable Energy Masdar and Boeing work on SAF global acceptance Abu Dhabi’s state clean energy company Masdar and the American plane-maker Boeing have agreed to jointly work on accelerating global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) regulations. The partnership document, signed at Adipec 2023, strives to support the commercial aviation industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The two companies will advance and support the development […] October 5, 2023
Sustainability Cop28 launches hub to help Mena SMEs cut carbon The Cop28 presidency has set up a dedicated programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) to cut their carbon emissions. The team behind the climate conference, which is being held this year in Dubai, has joined forces with the global not-for-profit SME Climate Hub and the We […] October 4, 2023
Energy Adnoc and Occidental look into UAE direct air capture Adnoc and US petroleum giant Occidental are investigating the feasibility of building a direct air capture facility in the UAE. It would be the first such site outside the US, the companies said. The preliminary engineering study is the latest project under an agreement signed by the companies earlier this year to explore carbon capture, […] October 3, 2023
Opinion Renewable Energy The Gulf is on track to lead global climate tech We need to focus on mitigating the risks and adapting October 3, 2023
Sustainability Hosting Cop29 ‘not on our radar’, says UAE The UAE has played down reports that it plans to host next year’s Cop climate change summit, saying it is focused on running a successful Cop28 in Dubai this year. A Cop28 spokesperson told AGBI that Cop29 “is not even on our radar”. The UK’s Financial Times reported on Monday that the UAE wants to […] October 2, 2023
Energy Adnoc doubles carbon capture target to 10m tonnes Adnoc, the UAE’s biggest oil producer, plans to capture 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2030, up from a previous target of 5 million tonnes. The announcement was made on Sunday, ahead of Adnoc hosting its main annual oil conference, Adipec, this week as the country prepares to host the UN Cop28 […] October 2, 2023
Aviation Emirates secures SAF supply from Shell for DXB Emirates has signed an agreement with Shell Aviation to supply over 300,000 gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at Dubai International Airport. The first delivery is expected to commence before the end of the year, the first time SAF is supplied through the DXB airport fuelling system, the airline said in a […] October 2, 2023
EXCLUSIVE REPORT Energy Download our exclusive insight report on energy The Middle East remains a global hydrocarbons powerhouse, but it is also ramping up renewables and decarbonising oil and gas. In this special report, AGBI spotlights a bold new era for the region’s energy sector. With Adipec, the world’s largest energy industry event in the UAE, taking place this week, readers will learn what is […] October 1, 2023
Opinion Sustainability Why Gulf arbitration needs a carbon footprint rethink As demand grows, so does the industry’s responsibility towards sustainability September 28, 2023
Opinion Economy ESG factors will depress Middle East’s credit ratings Climate risks, social issues and governance standards will bear down on region's businesses September 28, 2023
Sustainability Egypt to issue new bonds to meet 2050 sustainable goals Egypt is planning to launch new bond issuances on the debt markets to support its 2050 national climate change strategy, a local news daily reported. The finance ministry intends to issue “blue and green bonds”, which are linked to environmental and water projects, as well as social and sustainable bonds related to women’s empowerment, Daily […] September 28, 2023
Trade UAE minister urges trade to reduce environmental impact Trade is the “lifeblood” of the global economy but it needs to urgently play a part in the fight against climate change, a UAE minister said on Wednesday. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade, conceded that global trade “has one of the biggest contributions to make” to reducing […] September 27, 2023
Opinion Sustainability Net zero (noun). Meaning … well, that’s the question Hundreds of governments and companies have 'net zero' policies. But the term's definition isn't always clear September 26, 2023
Analysis Sustainability Majority of Mena countries lack net zero target, IEA warns Just six out of 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) have set a target for reaching net zero carbon emissions, hampering global efforts to tackle climate change, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA has published a detailed update to its net zero roadmap of 2021. In the report, […] September 26, 2023
Sustainability Indonesia launches carbon emissions trading Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo launched his country’s first carbon emissions trading on Tuesday, as it aims to create a market that will fund efforts to reduce emissions. Indonesia, an archipelago home to the world’s third largest area of rainforest, is also one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters. The Southeast Asian country has set […] September 26, 2023
Opinion Sustainability Forecast bright for Cop28 as the world nears ‘peak green’ A mood of pragmatism seems to be sweeping Europe and North America September 25, 2023
Opinion Sustainability Gulf could take on the UK’s climate change leadership The UK, on arguably the single biggest issue facing the planet, has quit while in the lead September 22, 2023
Oil & Gas Fossil fuel phase-down ‘inevitable’ says Al Jaber Cop28 president-designate Sultan Al Jaber this week implored world leaders to cut reliance on fossil fuels to meet carbon reduction targets. Addressing the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York, Al Jaber – who is also group chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – urged nations to fast track the transition to a […] September 21, 2023
Aviation Aviation offset rules face shake-up as doubts persist An imminent change to rules governing aviation carbon offsets ahead of the Cop28 climate conference may not be enough to convince airlines and others they have a meaningful effect, it has emerged. Aviation, like steel- and cement-making, is a hard-to-abate industry. It is difficult for companies within the sector to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide […] September 21, 2023
Tech Mena companies can tap $1bn HSBC climate tech fund HSBC has set aside $1 billion to help finance early-stage climate tech companies around the world, and “transformative investment opportunities” exist in the Middle East and Turkey, according to its regional chief. “The Middle East has a key role to play in the transition to a net zero global economy,” said Patricia Gomes, regional head […] September 21, 2023
