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ecoming a must in 2016 in light of gradual lifting of subsidies on energy, particularly the electrical
energy tariffs.
The new electrical energy consumption tariffs announced on August 8, 2016 by the Minister of
Electricity and Renewable Energy (MoERE) will make this strategic goal more vital to be implemented
than ever.
The highlighted terms of challenges and solutions can assist in and be good ingredients for the SEAPs
(SECAPs). Therefore, governorates can play a major role in addressing these main issues with the
concerned stakeholders when the preparation of SEAPs (SECAPs) commences.
Programmes and Plans
According to the Second National Communication (SNC), the aim of many national plans across sectors
is to “create a national greenhouse gas mitigation portfolio to support the process of sustainable
development in Egypt”. The SNC stressed that reducing GHGs by promoting sustainable energy (RE and
EE) is consistent with the country’s long-term socio-economic development goals.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MoWRI), the Ministry of Agriculture and Land
Reclamation (MoALR), MoERE and NREA are also involved in streaming climate change goals with the
country’s national action plans. Both MoWRI and MoALR have ministerial committees for climate
change within their respective ministries. In 2009, the MoERE hosted RCREEE to promote renewables
and demand response within MENA countries.
Initiatives
According to the UNEP report, an initiative on the Red Sea Sustainable Tourism Initiative (RESTI) was
highlighted. This initiative mainly addresses the application of zoning, using extensive data gathering
and GIS mapping techniques in the Red Sea area. It provides a clear example of dividing a coastal area
into five zone types, primarily based on natural resources 64 .
The classification of zones stretches from zero use (strict reserves), through use for ecotourism, to
areas for moderate intensity development. Such classification has led to a considerable amount of
scaling down of development previously proposed for certain areas, and the issuing of regulations that
achieved agreement by both the tourism and environment ministries 59 . Also, in the course of the
government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Egypt, the MoEnv and the MoTm have signed
a cooperation agreement to transform the city of Sharm El Sheikh to be a green city 134 .
In 2010, the MoTm has established a Green Tourism Unit (GTU) with a mandate to focus on fostering
good practice in green tourism within the sector. This establishment has been created in light of the
increasing awareness of tourists travelling to Egypt with the importance of environmental protection
and staying in green facilities in mind. This has become a mounting factor influencing the selection of
tourism destinations as a way of life 134 .
In early 2014, the Ministry started revamping efforts in this area and prepared a roadmap to move
Egypt up on the sustainability ladder. The roadmap adopts the concept of having the Green Tourism
Unit play its role as a market enabler while promoting new activities, linking existing efforts and
providing support to relevant market forces to advance greener practice. This will be accomplished
through a green growth-oriented framework, managed by a team of professionals and through
effective coordination with a variety of stakeholders within and outside the tourism sector 135 .
An initiative was developed “Green Star Hotel” in the form of a public and private partnership (PPP).
This initiative was established as a joint effort between Orascom Hotels, AGEG Consultants and GIZ. In
addition, Eco-label initiative (voluntary) was launched to issue hotels with “Green Stars” award
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