It is now less than six months until COP28 is hosted in the UAE. As a global community we want the public and private sector to be focused on The Paris Agreement’s central aim of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change. The common goal is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees celsius.
Recently however, the World Meteorological organisation issued a warning that there is now a 66 percent chance we will surpass the 1.5°C global warming threshold by 2027. This announcement is one of many highlighting the urgent need for progress, if not at least roadmaps and commitments for sustainable practices towards net zero emissions.
Here in the Middle East region, there are strong, positive indicators that we are moving in the right direction on the journey towards net zero owing to the ambitious plans and vision of governments, coupled with the strength, expertise and best practice of the private sector.
The unique environmental challenges of the Middle East
Recognising the unique environmental challenges in the Middle East, such as water scarcity, land degradation and the environmental impacts of a growing population, governments in the region are already focusing on a sustainable future.
In the UAE, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to generate 75 percent of energy from clean sources, with the National Climate Change Plan looking to manage carbon emissions whilst sustaining economic growth. Water conservation is also a priority factored into government plans, the Water Security Strategy 2036 seeks to ensure continued and sustainable access to water and there is a drive to reduce potable (safe for humans to drink) water consumption by 20 percent and increase the reuse of treated water to 95 percent.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 has sustainability at its heart – from policy development through to infrastructure, it aims to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels – with the goal of achieving net zero by 2060. While the Saudi Green Initiative and the Green Middle East Initiative both promote renewable energy and tree planting.
Both countries also invest in renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar and wind power plants and prioritising sustainable urban developments with projects like Masdar City and NEOM.
We can’t talk about challenges without mentioning the unique opportunities of the Middle East – many of the projects here are unprecedented, and impressive in scale. Developing cities and destinations from scratch gives public and private sector the opportunity to work together to imbed sustainable practices from the outset, using the latest in technology to plan, implement, measure and tweak as time goes on.
Advisory as a service is an area where there has been a rising demand from multiple sectors in recent years and shows no sign of abating. A strong leadership-down approach to building companies led by purpose has become a priority for organisations of all sizes, from scaling SMEs through to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s giga cities.
Collaboration for impact
A holistic and collaborative approach is needed from all stakeholders. Embracing sustainability is not just a moral imperative but essential for protecting livelihoods, biodiversity and ensuring long-term regional growth and prosperity.
Achieving our mutual environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals is an ambitious task. Whilst these goals are a key element of regional governments’ national visions, it is the private sector organisations, as key drivers of economic growth and innovation, that have a pivotal role to play in supporting governments in driving meaningful change and accelerating progress towards a more sustainable future for the region.
Governments might provide the necessary policy frameworks, regulatory incentives and investment support, but the private sector’s expertise, resources, innovation and international experience are crucial. Collaboration between the public and private sector offers the best possible chance of addressing our complex climate and environmental challenges and increasing the chances of achieving our ESG goals and indeed those of The Paris Agreement.
Empowering the workforce
To achieve net zero goals, we also need a skilled workforce equipped with the knowledge and expertise to implement and maintain sustainable practices. Nationalisation efforts therefore also have a role to play in ensuring ESG goals are met. Through investing in relevant training programmes and initiatives the private sector plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of sustainability among employees and stakeholders.
Empowering the workforce with the skills needed for best practices allows for the creation of a resilient ecosystem capable of driving change from within. Whilst establishing knowledge sharing platforms allows for the exchange of ideas and best practices, facilitating the spread of sustainability expertise across various industries. This strategic approach, that requires both short-term actions and longer-term visions, ensures that nationals are at the forefront of sustainability efforts, leading the way towards a greener future for the country.
Technological expertise
Another way that the private sector can contribute to sustainability is through technological innovation. Clean energy technologies are one obvious example but others, especially those relevant to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their giga city projects, include innovations in waste management, managing light pollution to preserve and enhance natural light visibility,providing high speed internet access, water conservation and building sustainable infrastructures that conserve and maintain natural habitats through regeneration activities, while also sustainably growing for expanding populations.
Through collaborative initiatives such as this, we can leverage differences in perspectives and expertise to develop innovative solutions. The advancements, innovation and technology being implemented in our region today, such as at the Red Sea development in Saudi, which aims to achieve the highest levels of sustainability and Al-Ula where there has been great efforts to ensure the area’s natural beauty is not compromised by local developments, means we are confident it will only be a few short years until we are taking the practises of the GCC and using them to help other countries achieve their own net zero goals.
Today, the region stands at a crucial juncture, poised to pioneer innovative practices and set an inspiring example for the world. Governments and the private sector must work hand in hand to forge a sustainable path forward that makes the most efficient use of resources and works towards environmental harmony for future generations to enjoy.
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