Middle East
Iran blames ‘unjust sanctions’ for climate policy failure
NEWS: Oil producing state targets 4-12% cut in emissions from business as usual by 2030, stresses need for international support
Super-rich Qatar delivers target-free UN climate pledge
NEWS: Qataris average earnings top US$140,000 a year but country wants free solar technology if it is make any carbon cuts at all
Saudi Arabia launches climate change PR drive
NEWS: New COP21 website and emails highlighting commitment stress Riyadh is taking this year’s climate summit seriously – but doubts persist over Kingdom’s low carbon ambitions
What can OPEC bring to a Paris climate deal?
ANALYSIS: Countries forming oil cartel have their cards close to their chest in build-up to UN summit. We asked six experts what to expect
Persian Gulf faces ‘intolerable’ heat on current emissions trends
NEWS: It is in the interests of oil-rich Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to back global action on climate change, study shows
United Arab Emirates submits renewables goal to UN
NEWS: Middle Eastern petropower aims for 24% clean energy by 2021, but sets no emissions target in climate pledge
Saudis to deliver climate plan by Paris, says Tubiana
NEWS: Oil-exporting kingdom will respect UN process and submit by December summit, says French climate change ambassador
Hall of shame: Who hasn’t pledged yet to UN climate pact?
ANALYSIS: Nearly 50 countries missed the UN deadline for carbon-cutting plans. Whether due to limited means, sloth or belligerence, here are the big ones not playing ball
Lebanon posts climate pledge amid Syria crisis pressures
NEWS: Beirut lays out green plan ahead of Paris summit as it grapples with an overwhelming refugee inflows and wobbling finances
Middle East faces ‘extreme’ water stress by 2040
NEWS: Shifting rainfall patterns and rising populations could drive conflict in many countries, warns World Resources Institute
Could the Middle East face further unrest without a green revolution?
NEWS: Gulf Research Center expert tells RTCC social injustice linked to fossil fuel heavy economy is driving regional anger
Desertec’s collapse unlikely to affect EU energy plans
Collapse of €400 billion plan will not affect Brussels energy strategy, but it does highlight the growing cost effectiveness of solar photo voltaic panels
Desertec in trouble as founders quit €400 billion solar project
Morning Briefing: ambition to power Europe using solar panels in North African deserts thrown into disarray after split between leading planners
Is it time to rethink water and energy links in Middle East?
Writing for RTCC, Holger Hoff from the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that it’s time countries in the MENA region develop joint energy and water strategies
80% of Iranians are concerned about climate change
New survey shows species loss and sea level rise among the largest causes for concern on climate change in Iran
Masdar sustainability chief says Middle East at green energy “tipping point”
Nawal Al-Hosany tells RTCC the Gulf region’s huge oil and gas reserves hide an even greater interest in renewable and energy efficiency investment
World Bank: Arab nations must face climate change realities
COP18: New report finds the Arab region especially vulnerable to climate change, with five countries setting new temperature records in 2010.
Plans for sustainable Abu Dhabi eco-Mosque get approval
Building designed by architecture student includes state of the art heat-blocking structure, water capture, roof gardens and solar panels.
Figueres: Doha talks open door to Gulf-funded climate change technology
UN climate change chief calls selection of Qatar as host of next UN climate change summit, a “great opportunity”.
Analysis: Drought-hit Middle East ripe for conflict
What role could drought, rising food prices and extreme poverty play in exacerbating tensions in the MENA region?