Middle East
Battle lines drawn in talks on new plastics treaty
US and Saudi Arabia want a bottom-up deal focused on recycling, while a “high ambition coalition” wants top-down curbs on plastic production
Deadly flash floods in UAE highlight need for resilience investment
The Middle East has not been used to planning for intense rainfall but the region must learn the lessons of recent flooding which killed Asian migrants, experts warn
Europe must set robust clean hydrogen standards to mobilise MENA investment
Europe needs low-carbon hydrogen and the Middle-East and North Africa can produce it
Saudi Arabia’s senior negotiator Ayman Shasly steps back from climate talks
Chair of the Arab group for a decade, Shasly is absent from interim climate talks in Bonn and is being replaced by Albara Tawfiq
German minister backs Middle East ‘peace through water’ plan
The proposals aim to harness solar power to bring drinking water to Palestinian territories but Israel’s support is needed
Saudi energy minister touts pink hydrogen made by “emancipated young ladies”
Saudi Arabia wants to become a leading exporter of hydrogen from both clean and dirty sources as part of an economic diversification plan
Egypt names foreign minister Sameh Shoukry to lead Cop27 climate talks
Cairo gave a junior role to environment minister Yasmine Fouad and the top job to a career diplomat with no significant climate experience
Qatar misleads with claim gas exports make it a climate action “pioneer”
The world’s largest supplier of LNG also has the highest per-capita emissions, yet is not committing to absolute carbon cuts in its latest UN submission
Oil-producing Oman pledges 7% emissions reduction from business as usual by 2030
Struggling to balance its budget as the coronavirus pandemic hits oil revenues, Oman is looking to diversify the economy and cut electricity subsidies
Drought and water mismanagement spark deadly protests in Iran
The driest conditions in 53 years have brought chronic mismanagement of water resources to crisis point, with at least eight people killed in protests against the regime
Saudi Arabia aims for 50% renewable energy by 2030, backs huge tree planting initiative
The target will require huge investments in solar technologies, experts warn, as less than 1% of the oil producing nation’s energy comes from renewables
Covid-hit hajj guts Saudi plans to reduce reliance on oil revenues
Only a few thousand Muslims are attending this year’s pilgrimage, not the millions Riyadh needs for its ‘Vision 2030’ economic diversification plan
Saudi Arabia censors fossil fuel subsidy discussion as G20 host
Riyadh is scrubbing the word “subsidy” from expert briefings, despite a commitment from G20 countries to phase out “inefficient” support to coal, oil and gas
‘This is bigger’: Palestinian and Israeli teens strike together for the climate
At a climate march in Jerusalem, students put hatred aside to tell the government that nothing matters more than a safe climate
Saudi Aramco says climate lawsuits ‘could result in substantial costs’
The world’s largest oil producer made more money than Apple and Alphabet combined last year, but the company sees litigation and clean tech as threats
Empty car shows and stalled solar as sanctions keep Iran dirty
Innovation flees after Trump reimposes sanctions, environmentalists and government say that puts the country on a dangerous path
Saudi version of climate justice rejected by developing countries
Oil-rich country’s resistance to welcoming findings of science report on 1.5C warming has marked it out from poorer countries
Saudi Arabia eyes Ethiopian hydropower link to cut reliance on oil and gas
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s grid operator is studying the feasibility of a cable to Ethiopia, which would run through currently war-torn Yemen
UN issues warning of climate instability across Arab region
Development agency says dry countries face ‘famine and food insecurity, loss of livelihoods and life, and the displacement of millions’
EU energy chief flies to Tehran to talk gas supply, as US sanctions loom
As companies withdraw from deals involving Iran, fearing US sanctions, the EU scrambles to preserve growing energy cooperation