Jordan Environment Watch: Energy and Climate Change

A Coal Fired Power Plant in the UAE, Why?

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:20:04 GMT

I am amazed to read that a coal fired power plant will be established soon in the Ajman Emirate within the United Arab Emirates. A country that is rich in oil and seeking enterpreneurship in renewable energy technologies is not expected to resort to old and polluting sources of energy anymore. Ajman is not one of the super wealthy Emirates and is suffering from electricity shortage but to think of... [read more]

Arabs, Americans and Chinese least concerned with environmental issues

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:52:00 GMT

This is yet another disappointing indicator from the Arab World. According to the Annual Pew Global Attitudes Survey, respondents from the three Arab countries surveyed (Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon) were among the bottom five populations concerned with climate change and environmental issues. Not surprisingly, the two other nations that completed the unhonorable list are the USA and China. The survey... [read more]

EU will revamp its aid to Arab World to Focus on Environment and Energy

Mon, 26 May 2008 01:02:57 GMT

As an indicator of the EU's disappointment with the slow rate of economic integration and reform resulting from its current aid programme to MENA countries, a new aid plan will be developed that will focus on environment and energy. In a press release by the EU published by the Associated Press last week, the Union proposed a revamp of its multibillion-euro aid program toArab countries and Israel,... [read more]

WEF 2008 Scenarios: Fuelling the Future

Tue, 20 May 2008 23:56:52 GMT

This is the summary of the scenario session on energy perspective in WEF MENA 2008 as posted on the WEF website. Juan G. Aguiriano• Connie Hedegaard • Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber • Sauat Mynbayev Scenario Champion: • Tony Hayward Moderator: • Nic Frances The world faces a huge challenge to satisfy the ever-rising global demand for energy and also cut emissions of greenhouse gases... [read more]

Doha Bank to trade carbon emission, the Islamic Way!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:29:27 GMT

The relationship between the banking sector and environmental protection is really vague. In fact, for a lot of environmentalists and bankers these are two completely isolated worlds. However, thanks to the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) banks have became real pioneers in financing carbon trading deals. A senior executive of Doha Bank, a major Qatari private commercial bank, sought... [read more]

The Arab World gets Serious about Climate Change

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:47:18 GMT

By: Batir Wardam Few Arab cities, including Amman and Dubai took part in the symbolic initiative done two weeks ago to turn off lights in cities for one hour in an activity called Earth Hour advocated by the World Wide Fund (WWF). For many of the still evolving species of Arab environmentalists, this was a much celebrated step. All Arab environmentalists know for certain that when it came... [read more]

Three Gulf states target gas flaring to combat climate change

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:22 GMT

Three Gulf states - Qatar, Kuwait and Oman - are expected to sign up soon to a World Bank programme aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions by finding commercial uses for natural gas that is still burned, or flared, as a by-product of oil production. Amid growing awareness of climate change and the need to conserve resources for their expanding water and power needs, the Gulf states are seeking... [read more]

EU: Climate Change poses security risks in the Middle East

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:58:29 GMT

A recent report published by the High Representative and the European Commission to the European Council stated that climate change poses a real security threat for the EU and international stability. This report focuses on the impact of climate change on international security and considers the impact of these international security consequences for Europe's own security, and how the EU should respond... [read more]

Time: Renewable energy aspirations in the Arab World

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:20:07 GMT

This is a comprehensive article that was published in Time magazine describing the current wave of renewable energy innovations coming out of the UAE. Again the focus here is Masdar city but with more investigative reporting than public relations By: Bryan Walsh If you want to see the future of sustainable design, drive southwest from Abu Dhabi's international airport, stop when you... [read more]

Renewable sources pose as sole answer to cut power bill in Jordan

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:08:00 GMT

Source: the Jordan Times By Taylor Luck With soaring global oil prices, the Kingdom is pinning hopes on attempts to utilise its potential of renewable and alternative energy sources. “The energy sector is in a dangerous situation and we need rapid change in the way we approach energy,” National Energy Research Centre (NERC) President Malek Kabariti told The Jordan Times recently. According... [read more]

DESERTEC: Solar Energy from MENA to Europe

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:56:27 GMT

This is one of the most promising and exciting project proposals to emerge for years. In fact, the idea to energize Europe with renewable energy from the Middle East could be one of the milestones of future energy security plans linking Europe with the Middle East. The proposal is entitled DESERTEC and developed by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC). The detailed proposal... [read more]

Work starts on $22bn carbon-neutral city in Abu Dhabi

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:40:00 GMT

Source: Financial Times By Simeon Kerr in Dubai Published: February 10 2008 Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy initiative, Masdar, has laid the cornerstone of its carbon-neutral, waste-free city, saying it will invest $22bn in the hope that the project becomes a blueprint for sustainable development around the world. Oil-rich Abu Dhabi said it was committing $15bn (€10... [read more]

NGOs to push Arab League for a uniform policy on Climate Change

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:26:12 GMT

A much welcomed concerted efforts by NGOs to exert pressure on Arab "leaders" for a uniform position on Climate Change, the Daily Star reports By Michael Bluhm Daily Star staff Tuesday, February 12, 2008 BEIRUT: The Arab Climate Network will take its first step this week in creating a united Arab policy on climate change, as network co-founder Wael Hmaidan leaves for Jordan to talk... [read more]

Aramex first Jordanian Company to commit to reducing carbon emissions

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:14:00 GMT

Aramex became the first Jordanian company that declares commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The commitments were displayed in Aramex's "Sustainability report" that was published as an indication of its Social and Environmental Corporate Responsibility package. Aramex has previously announced its participation in the United Nations ‘Global Compact' initiative, a platform created to engage... [read more]

Climate Change: Another security threat in the Middle East

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:21:00 GMT

A recent report by Friends of the Earth Middle East (a regional environmental watchdog composed of Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli researchers) has warned that climate change is proving to be a new security threat facing the Middle East. The report states that extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, and less precipitation caused by climate change will contribute to even greater water... [read more]

Egypt's Looming Climate Change Nightmare

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:49:09 GMT

By: Mohammad Yahia Published by: Islam Online Every summer, over one million tourists flock to Alexandria, Egypt, to enjoy the sun and the beaches. The historic city, with its magical charm, is also home to four million people. But the beautiful fragile coastal city of the Mediterranean Sea stands to lose much from the imminent danger of climate change, and it may not even be Egypt's... [read more]

Climate Change to cause wars in North Africa

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:22:00 GMT

As if the Arab World does not have more than its fair share of catastrophies in the form of occupation, drought, civil wars, terrorism and oppression it is expected that Climate Change will add more mayhem, especially in North Africa. According to a new report published by UNEP, Climate change is likely to aggravate old conflicts and could even turn into wars or violence in many parts of the... [read more]

Historical Action Day against Climate Change across the Arab World

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:00:20 GMT

Press release from IndyAct Beirut; 9 Dec 2007 – Today and yesterday, six Arab countries participated for the first time in the ‘International Day of Action against Climate Change’ to demand Arab countries to take stronger action against this global problem. NGOs, governmental institutes and individuals from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and UAE joined citizens from more than 80... [read more]

Environmental dimensions in Jordan's energy shift

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:36:40 GMT

This is my weekly article published in The Star newspaper for today. A paradigm shift is being developed in energy management at the national level. The previous dependence on foreign oil imports is coming to an end with a new package of legislative, administrative and technological innovations aiming to steer the country into more reliable, sustainable and even environmentally friendly... [read more]

Jordan and Climate Change

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:10:00 GMT

This is my weekly article publsihed in the Star newspaper today. I also would like to invite you for the first public event on climate change in Jordan organized by the Arab Climate Action Network in partnership with Greenpeace and United Nations University at 5:00 p.m on Saturday 8 December 2007 at the premises of the United Nations University Check the facebook event here http://www.facebook... [read more]

US$750 million for new Arab climate change fund

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:49:13 GMT

At last the Arab oil producing countries have got serious about the need to mitigate climate change. In the last OPEC summit held in Saudi Arabia, the Arab Gulf countries have decided to develop a US $ 750 million research fund for Climate Change. I only hope this vast amount of money will be used for a comprehensive package of introducing environmentally friendly technologies in the Arab World and... [read more]

Climate Change Alert in Bahrain

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:33:00 GMT

Any activity that focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is always worth highlighting. Such activities can have a synergistic and cumulative effect to create a "social critical mass" to advocate for more climate friendly policies in such countries. In bahrain, a recent UNDP activity warned that Bahrain will have a lot to lose in case of... [read more]

Bahrain World Trade Center shortlisted for international environmental excellence award

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:09:24 GMT

The impressive World Trade Center in Manama, Bahrain has just been shortlisted for the EDIE Award for Environmental Excellence. This is another documentation of the increasing popularity and appreciation of the sustainable building designs in some of the Gulf Countries. This is the report from AME Info The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) designed by Atkins, has been short listed for the... [read more]

Launching of the Arab Climate Change Campaign by IndyACT

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:15:48 GMT

For the first time in the Arab world, a civil campaign has been developed and launched with a very strong message for pan-Arab coordination for action against the threat of climate change. This is the press release by IndyAct, the organization that has spearheaded the campaign: Beirut:18 Oct 2007 – ‘Climate change is the biggest threat to our livelihood and our Arab governments are not taking... [read more]

The World's first zero carbon and zero waset city to be established in Dubai

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:09:00 GMT

It is not news anymore that the first global zero carbon and zero waste city will be established in Dubai, but I liked this article by gizmag blog as it includes a lot of technical details and some smashing prototypes. Enjoy the reading, and the photos The sleek, modern capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, will be host to what is planned as the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste... [read more]

Morocco cooperate with Brazil in Wind Energy Generation

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:30:49 GMT

South-South environmental cooperation is still way below the real potential that it has in delivering experiences between developing countries and sharing resources and expertise. Any bilateral or inter-regional programmes will always be of great benefits provided a balanced set up is reached in the design of cooperation programmes. This is a very good example of cooperation between Morocco and Brazil... [read more]

Biofuels may bring more harm than good

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:11:44 GMT

In the last couple of months there has been a lot of global hype about biofuels being the magic bullet that will save humanity from the disasterous impacts of climate change by providing alternative and clean energy. However, skepticism is increasing with the potential side-effects of biofuels ranging from threatening agriculture and supply of food crops like corn, to the expected control of biofuels... [read more]

Solar Island in the UAE is not a solution to any problem

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:08:00 GMT

Fellow Tunisian blogger Subzero blue has published the story of another invention from the UAE. This time it is a floating solar island, conceptualised by the Swiss Firm CSEM and to be built with UAE money. For once I do not see this as a useful and strategic environmental innovation. Building Islands is a strange trend in the Gulf countries, and it causes a drastic impact on the marine environment... [read more]

Arabs go Nuclear to Desalinate Water

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:12:00 GMT

It has spread like a contagious disease in the last few months, where many Arab countries are planning to introduce nuclear energy to drive the ever increasing thurst for water by desalination. Many oil producing and energy poor countries alike are putting together ambitious plan to go to the nuclear alternative either to produce enough electricity or water. This report from United Press International... [read more]

Bin Laden on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:02:00 GMT

Thanks to my fellow Jordanian blogger Naseem Tarawnah I was facing the shock of my life. In his blog he teased his readers to guess who actually was saying the following sentences last week: "In fact, the life of all of mankind is in danger because of the global warming resulting to a large degree from the emissions of the factories of the major corporations, yet despite that, the representative... [read more]