Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries - (IPCC) - Working ...

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CHAPTER 2 13 GHG Emissions: Mitigation Efforts in the Arab Countries IBRAHIM ABDEL GELIL
14 CHAPTER 2 GHG EMISSIONS: MITIGATION EFFORTS IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES TABLE 1 I. INTRODUCTION The ultimate objective <strong>of</strong> the United Nations Framework Convention on <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong> (UNFCCC) is the stabilization <strong>of</strong> greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Accordingly, under Article 4.1(b) <strong>of</strong> the Convention, all Parties, including the Arab countries, are required to undertake efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and or enhance GHG sinks (UNFCCC, 1992). As climate change is a global problem, it calls for a global solution taking into consideration the principle agreed upon in the Rio declaration in 1992, namely the principle <strong>of</strong> “common but differentiated responsibilities.” This implies that developed countries, which are historically responsible for the largest part <strong>of</strong> the accumulated GHGs in the atmosphere, should take the lead in reducing GHG emissions given their higher technological and financial capabilities. Developing countries, including the Arab countries, are requested to do their best to adopt development activities utilizing less energy, less water, and fewer raw materials, and to produce less waste. FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ARAB COUNTRIES First national Communication Country 2001 Algeria 2005 Bahrain 2003 Comoros 2002 Djibouti 1999 Egypt 1997 Jordan 1999 Lebanon 2002 Mauritania 2001 Morocco 2005 Saudi Arabia 2003 Sudan 2001 Tunisia 2007 United Arab Emirates 2001 Yemen Source: http://unfccc.int/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/items/2979.php Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to capture greenhouse gases through land use changes such as forestation or carbon capture and storage in deep geological formations. Policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include improving energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption per unit <strong>of</strong> economic output, switching to low or zero carbon fuels such as switching from oil to natural gas, and using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy. This chapter discusses the efforts undertaken by Arab countries to mitigate GHG emissions. It should be noted that such mitigation efforts are not necessarily undertaken within national climate change policies; rather, in most instances they have been adopted to achieve certain economic, social, or environmental objectives. This chapter draws mainly on two sources <strong>of</strong> information, national communications <strong>of</strong> some Arab countries submitted as part <strong>of</strong> their obligations within the UNFCCC and information available in the public domain. At present, 14 Arab countries have submitted their initial national communications; none has submitted their second communications yet. Initial national communications are meant to be the major source <strong>of</strong> information on the steps taken to mitigate climate change. So far, however, they rarely include detailed assessments <strong>of</strong> past and/or ongoing mitigation projects or activities; they focus instead on projects, activities or programs and measures that are envisaged for the future. Among the 14 initial national communications investigated, only Saudi Arabia’s report does not contain a section on mitigation. Most <strong>of</strong> the initial national communications have become outdated as some date back to as early as 1997 (Jordan), while the most recent one is that <strong>of</strong> the UAE (2007) (Table 1). Apart from the initial national communications, documentations <strong>of</strong> Arab efforts to reduce GHG emissions are very scarce. Thus, it is likely that some <strong>of</strong> the ongoing or planned activities have been overlooked due to a lack <strong>of</strong> information. On the other hand, whenever enough data was available, various Arab experiences on specific mitigation areas are highlighted. The Council <strong>of</strong> Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) at its 19 th session in 2007 adopted the Arab Ministerial
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156 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS CNA
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158 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS MENA
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