Paris climate agreement: what have Middle East countries done five years on?

Here is a look at how regional states have fared in implementing the agreement

People attend the opening ceremony of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum on October 23 in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Fayez Nureldine / AFP

Traffic moves slowly in the Iranian capital Tehran in January as high levels of pollution engulf the city. Atta Kenare / AFP

Volunteers plant trees on the Kesra mountains in Tunisia's Siliana region back in 2019. Fethi Belaid / AFP

The aftermath of Cyclone Shaheen in Oman's Al Batinah region in October. Haitham Al-Shukairi / AFP

A farmer grafts in eastern Iraq during a blistering summer heatwave. Ahmad Al-Rubaya / AFP

Hussein Gadain, centre, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation representative, checks solar panels with farmers in Kafr Al Dawar in northern Egypt's Nile Delta in 2018. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP

Jordanians take part in the planting of eucalyptus and carob saplings near the forest of Kufranjah, north of Amman, in February. Khalil Mazraawi / AFP

The Al Huwaiza Marshes, 420km south of Baghdad on the Iraq-Iran border. Asaad NIAZI / AFP

The solar tower of Israel's Ashalim power station is surrounded by solar panels in the Negev desert. Emmanuel Dunand / AFP

The third Global Forum of Innovations in Agriculture attracted scientists and specialists from more than 80 countries. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

Farmers ride a donkey cart past dead palm trees in Skoura, Morocco, a rural oasis area measuring 40 square kilometres. AFP / Fadel Senna

The meeting of world leaders in Glasgow this week for Cop26 — which looks for unity on cutting greenhouse gas emissions — comes on the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, drawn up to avert the worst effects of climate change.

Since it came into force on November 4, 2016, the deal agreed to in the French capital has been adopted by 197 countries, with formal approval from 191.

Talks in Glasgow have focused on new deals to build off the Paris accord and address methane emissions, deforestation, shifting to green agricultural practices and adopting new technology.

But the question remains — after five years, what progress have countries made to implement the 2015 agreement?

The Paris deal’s main goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C — and aim for 1.5°C, compared with pre-industrial levels. That involves, among other things, reaching carbon net zero by the middle of the century.

One of the first major milestones in the Paris Agreement was the 2020 deadline for countries to hand in their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) — the blueprint for how they plan to cut emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

All 191 signatories provided a first NDC, due to be updated in 2020 and then every five years. There are 18 Middle East countries on the list of signatories.

Here is a look at how some regional states have fared in implementing the Paris Agreement and updating their NDCs on the fifth anniversary of the deal coming into effect.

Egypt

In 2015, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly formed the National Council on Climate Change, which submitted the country’s NDCs to the UN. The top priority was the electricity sector, which produces around 43 per cent of the country’s carbon emissions. The sector has since made a marked shift towards introducing more renewables.

With the inauguration of the Benban Solar Park in 2019 and a number of wind farms in the Western Desert and Sinai, the percentage of the country’s power generated through renewables rose from one per cent to 11 per cent in 2019. Egypt intends to increase the supply of electricity generated from renewable sources to 20 per cent by 2022 and 42 per cent by 2035.

Iraq

Although Iraq signed the Paris Agreement in 2016, President Barham Salih only approved his country’s accession in January this year. In June, the concerned ministries approved the final draft of Iraq’s NDC document. Last month, the Iraqi Cabinet endorsed the NDC, which commits to a one to two per cent reduction of its emissions by 2030, focusing on renewable energies and clean mechanisms.

Since last year, the Iraqi government has attracted new investment in clear energy and developed associated gas instead of burning it. “Iraq is capable to overcome any climate change-related hardships given its abundant and varied resources,” Prof Ayad Mushin Ahmed of Al Mustansiriyah University’s College of Sciences told The National. “But mismanagement and the [unstable] political situation are among the main hurdles." He believes Iraq will deliver on its promises. “We are weak and we are going to be under international pressure in this regard,” he said.

The water level of the Darbandikhan Dam in north-east Iraq has fallen by 7. 5 metres in a year, with officials blaming neighbouring Iran. All photos: AFP

Iraqi officials warned of a drastic drop in the flow of water in a river from Iran due to low rainfall and dam-building in the Islamic Republic.

The Sirwan River begins in Iran then flows to Iraq's Darbandikhan Dam before going through the rural province of Diyala and joining the Tigris.

Rahman Khani, the dam's director, said there had been an "unprecedented decline" in water levels.

Mr Khani said the dam had received 900 million cubic metres of water this year, a fraction of the annual average of 4.7 billion cubic metres.

Aoun Thiab, a senior adviser at Iraq's water ministry, said Iran was "violating international law by diverting a river flow".

Iran

Iran pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by four per cent compared with the business-as-usual scenario. Despite signing the Paris Agreement and having the support of the then-Rouhani administration, Iran's parliament never ratified the deal.

Israel

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has pledged Israel will reach a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050, but such a promise may seem far-fetched given the country’s track record.

In a strong critique of government policy, Israel’s state comptroller last month rolled off a list of failings in recent years. “Israel is one of the few countries in the world that does not act based on a national adaptation plan that is budgeted and approved,” the audit said. The analysis blamed disagreements among ministries for delaying action, while warning that Israel “has not yet internalised the risks posed by climate change to the economy and financial system”.

Jordan

Jordan is considered a non-Annex I party to the Paris Agreement. This means it is a developing country that is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Jordan imports more than 90 per cent of its energy needs, which account for eight per cent of the country’s GDP.

After the Paris Agreement, Jordan enacted a Climate Change Bylaw to set roles and responsibilities for the National Climate Change Committee and relevant ministries. It is also formulating a long-term, low-emission strategy and to achieve sustainable, long-term, low-carbon economic growth. In 2020, Jordan launched a 10-year National Energy Sector Strategy to improve its energy mix and reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2030, reducing its reliance on imports.

The Dana Biosphere Reserve, in the remote Wadi Dana valley, is Jordan’s largest nature conservation park. Photo: Getty Images

The lesser kestrel is a species of bird that can be found in the reserve, which is also home to many rare animals and plants. Photo: Wikicommons

A spiny tailed lizard in the Dana reserve. Officials and experts use drones to tackle poaching and carry out surveys of the region. Photo: Wikicommons

A sand cat in its burrow in the reserve. The small, solitary animals are native to deserts in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Lauren Lancaster / The National

The Arabian wolf is one of the endangered animal species that can be found in reserve. Photo: Wikicommons

Pistachio trees grow in the reserve. Photo: AFP

Lebanon

Lebanon signed up to the acclaimed Paris Agreement with an NDC of its own. Yet it faces a plethora of crisis – from economic collapse, to rampant inflation, the climate has slipped down the agenda.

In a recent panel discussion ahead of COP26, Lebanon’s environment minister, Nasser Yassin insisted that the country’s recovery must be green.

The country’s NDC “consists of inherent components in Lebanon’s economic recovery path, while reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to the climate fight.” Under its NDC, updated in 2020, Lebanon aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 and provide 18 per cent of power demands from renewable energy sources.

Morocco

Morocco submitted its revised NDC last June to the UNFCCC secretariat, raising its NDC ambition to a 45.5 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 against the business-as-usual scenario and setting a conditional target of 27.2 per cent GHG reductions.

Since 2015, Morocco has undertaken considerable efforts to advance its climate policies. The country’s initial NDC adopted ambitious targets, which subsequent versions have increased further. In 2016, Morocco also started drawing up a National Adaptation Plan to support priority actions. While Morocco’s emissions remain comparatively low at 0.18 per cent, a 2017 report by the NewClimate Institute shows a considerable increase due to energy demand since 1990.

Oman

Since the Paris Agreement, Oman has developed a national strategy for adapting to climate change and response mechanisms to tropical cyclones, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. Two years after the agreement, Oman established a framework to engage on climate change initiatives and priorities in the areas of water resources, agriculture, marine and fisheries, urban areas, health and energy efficiency. It also embarked on “serious structural reforms and transformative policies” towards a low-carbon economy and low-emission development, Oman said in its second NDC report in July.

Oman’s 2040 Vision aims to further diversify its economy by investing into tourism, financial services and port logistics and generating more electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In 2017, the oil sector contributed to 39 per cent of the country’s GDP. The country aims to reduce that share to 16 per cent in 2030 and 8.4 per cent by 2040.

An Oman Air Force helicopter flies over Khaburah in Al Batinah district to assess damage caused by Cyclone Shaheen in October 2021. The government later said $500 million was required to repair infrastructure and homes. Photo: AP

Cyclone Shaheen caused widespread flooding and landslides in Oman. Climate change is predicted to make such weather events more frequent. Photo: AFP

In total 14 people in Oman died as a result of the cyclone. Photo: AFP

A car is stranded in flooded street in the Omani capital, Muscat. Photo: AFP

People wade through a flooded street in Muscat. Photo: AFP

A flooded street in Al Khaburah. Photo: AP

Flooded streets in Al Khaburah, one day after Cyclone Shaheen brought wind speeds of up to 116 kilometres an hour. Photo: EPA

Gloomy skies in Muscat. Photo: EPA

People cycle along a waterlogged road in Al Khaburah. Photo: EPA

A torrent of floodwater runs through Al Khaburah. Photo: EPA

Workers in Al Musanna repair damage caused by Cyclone Shaheen. Photo: Reuters

Vehicles make their way along a flooded street in the aftermath of Cyclone Shaheen in Muscat. Photo: AFP

Palestine

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh attended Cop26 and promised action on climate change. But without the advantages of country status, such as access to international financial markets and border controls, Palestinian officials have little ability to enact lasting policy.

Saudi Arabia

Since signing the Paris Agreement, the kingdom has aimed to reduce up to 130 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Carbon dioxide emissions in the kingdom have decreased by 26 million tonnes, after a decline of about 4.4 per cent from last year.

The Saudi Green initiative aims to plant 10 billion trees — the same as rehabilitating 200 million hectares of degraded land. The target also represents four per cent of the global drive to reverse land degradation and one per cent of the global effort to plant one trillion trees. Studies have shown the kingdom is the third-fastest reducer of fuel-consumption emissions among G20 countries. During its G20 presidency last year, Saudi Arabia endorsed the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) approach to manage emissions to mitigate the effects of climate challenges, to make energy systems cleaner and sustainable.

The kingdom remains committed to the four Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle and renew — of the circular economy.

Delegates take part in the opening ceremony of the Saudi Green Initiative forum in Riyadh. AFP

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan addresses delegates during one of the sessions at the forum. Reuters

Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva takes part in one of the sessions. AFP

Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov makes a point at the forum. Reuters

Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva speaks at the forum. Reuters

Kuwait's Oil Minister Mohammed Al Fares attends the Saudi Green Initiative forum. Reuters

Amin Nasser, president and chief executive of Saudi Aramco, speaks during a discussion with TotalEnergies chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne at the forum. Reuters

The UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Al Mheiri, speaks during the opening ceremony of the forum in Riyadh. AFP

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the forum. AFP

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman arrives for the opening ceremony. AFP

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the forum. AFP

Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, addresses delegates at the forum. Reuters

Tunisia

Before the Paris climate talks in 2015, Tunisia submitted an ambitious set of goals to help combat climate change with aims to reduce its emission intensity — that is the amount of CO2 consumed per unit of GDP — by 41 per cent before 2030. To meet those aims, which will reduce its overall carbon footprint by 13 per cent, Tunisia will have to separate its emissions from its economic growth, and tackle major infrastructure challenges to ensure the country can reduce emissions in the energy sector.

Since ratifying the treaty in 2017, Tunisia has made minimal progress towards its goals, as the pandemic, an economic crisis and political turmoil have all drawn attention and resources elsewhere. As a developing nation, the country will rely heavily on green finance from more developed nations to fund its initiatives, particularly the retrofitting of its energy infrastructure away from fossil fuels towards green energy.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE was the first country in the GCC region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement and the first in the Mena region to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions.

The UAE and US unveiled a joint initiative to drive rapid and transformative climate action in the agriculture sector at Cop26 on Tuesday, as they look to boost investment in science and innovation to ensure the sector contributes to solving the climate crisis.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) has mobilised $4 billion of increased investment to enhance resilience to climate change, including a $1bn contribution from the UAE. The UAE's strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 was unveiled last month, with Dh600bn ($163.37) invested in clean and renewable energy sources in the next three decades.