{"id":25797,"date":"2023-11-29T02:09:11","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T22:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syndicationbureau.com\/?p=25797"},"modified":"2023-12-04T15:10:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T11:10:49","slug":"a-middle-east-guide-to-closing-the-climate-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syndicationbureau.com\/a-middle-east-guide-to-closing-the-climate-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"A Middle East Guide to Closing the Climate Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
As the world remains focused on hostilities in Gaza, the 28th meeting of the Conference of Parties on Climate Change \u2013 COP28<\/a> \u2013 is an important reminder that cooperation is the only means to mitigate human-caused calamity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s plenty of commentary surrounding the fact that a fossil fuel producer \u2013 the United Arab Emirates \u2013 is hosting COP28 next month. But in reality, the UAE, a capital-rich and multi-aligned middle power, has the credentials to bridge the climate change gap between the developed and developing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries manage some $4 trillion in assets<\/a> through their sovereign wealth funds. This capital, together with technological prowess, could be crucial to achieving the expectations of the \u201closs and damage fund<\/a>,\u201d which was established after COP27 in Egypt to assist \u201cdeveloping countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, COP27\u2019s ambition hasn\u2019t borne fruit. A plan to raise $100 billion a year<\/a> to help poor countries address climate change, funding that was scheduled to begin flowing in 2020, has met with little success. The delay is certain to be a point of contention between donors and potential beneficiaries at COP28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s climate talks are more than a gathering for environmental groups. They hold paramount importance for Middle Eastern countries, especially oil-producing states. For these nations, the fallout from climate change extends beyond economic considerations and energy export potential, deeply affecting the lives and livelihoods of their citizens, particularly in vital sectors like agriculture, water, and electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Climate change is already affecting stability across the Middle East<\/a>. In Libya, after a decade-long civil war, signs of recovery \u2013 increased oil production, for instance \u2013 were upended in September 2023 when a catastrophic cyclone submerged parts of the country, disrupting crucial seaports and jeopardizing oil exports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, in Iraq, government inadequacies in responding to floods have led to substantial casualties and ignited violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the outbreak of Syria\u2019s civil war in 2011 was linked to a climatic disaster. The worst drought in nearly a millennium the year before devastated the livelihoods of 800,000 people and decimated the farming sector, fueling urban migration and unrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The climate crisis has now become a leading concern in a region traditionally fraught with security challenges. Effects of climate change ignite violence, fuel poverty and inequality, and encourage migration, exacerbating regional instability. Food and water scarcity, high birth rates and consumption, relocation from hot zones, and threats to an agriculture sector employing a substantial portion of the population underscore the monumental challenges posed by the climate crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This upheaval threatens not just regional stability but global stability as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite historical and ongoing animosities, Middle Eastern nations must recognize and lead efforts against the shared threat of climate change<\/a>. There is significant potential for regional cooperation in knowledge sharing, disaster response strategies, and investment in renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cooperation on climate mitigation and adaptation could also help reduce tensions between superpowers. In their long-anticipated meeting in San Francisco, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed to resume a working group on climate cooperation and pledged a major ramp-up of renewable energy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The two sides also agreed to \u201caccelerate renewable energy deployment\u201d in their economies until the end of 2030 to speed up \u201cthe substitution for coal, oil, and gas.\u201d They also pledged to support efforts to \u201ctriple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The stakes at home are even higher, as cooperation on climate change and sustainability can help fight extremism and strengthen regional stability. The UAE\u2019s growing engagement in climate mitigation in Africa<\/a> exemplifies this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the recent Africa Climate Summit, the UAE pledged $4.5 billion to expedite clean energy projects on the continent. Given the political upheaval and conflicts in many Muslim-majority countries in Africa, the UAE, as a proponent of moderate Islam, could play a pivotal role as a mediator and catalyst for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By moving beyond mere statements to substantial investments and project commitments, the UAE is in a strong position to prevent potential crises and champion stability, facilitating Africa\u2019s sustainable growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n