Countries across the MENA region have set ambitious net zero targets—with the UAE aiming for 2050, and Saudi Arabia and Oman targeting 2060. These commitments align with the Paris Agreement and the global push to limit warming to 1.5°C, but reaching these goals requires clear climate targets, strong regulatory frameworks, and effective decarbonization strategies.
As Alicia Mansour, Innovation & Decarbonization Director at Veolia Africa & Near Middle East, explained in a recent episode of Let’s Turn the Tide podcast by Veolia Near and Middle East, decarbonization is the key enabler for achieving net zero.
In this conversation, she breaks down four essential strategies that businesses can adopt to reduce emissions and drive ecological transformation in the region.
These strategies provide a roadmap for organizations looking to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions:
1. Reducing Energy Needs: The First Step Towards Net Zero
The most sustainable energy is the energy we don’t use. The first step in decarbonization is optimizing energy consumption and reducing overall energy demand. This involves:
- Enhancing energy efficiency through real-time monitoring and smart management systems.
- Implementing energy-saving technologies across industrial and commercial operations.
- Investing in digital solutions that track and optimize energy use, ensuring minimal waste.
In the MENA region, Veolia’s partnership with Majid Al Futtaim through Enova has demonstrated the impact of energy efficiency in reducing emissions. Their programs have resulted in the elimination of approximately half a million tons of CO₂ emissions—proving that reducing energy consumption is not only achievable but also highly impactful.
2. Transitioning to Renewable Energy
Even with optimized energy consumption, businesses still require power to operate. The next step is ensuring that this energy comes from renewable and low-carbon sources, including:
- Solar and wind power generation.
- Green hydrogen production for clean energy and industrial use.
- Biogas production from organic waste and landfills.
- Utilizing biofuels from used cooking oil and other waste-derived sources.
One successful case study is Veolia’s Al Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant in Jordan, which generates 87% of its energy needs from biogas and hydro energy—an approach that significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
3. Carbon Capture & Utilization: Addressing Unavoidable Emissions
Certain industrial processes will always produce CO₂ emissions. The challenge, therefore, is how to capture and repurpose these emissions rather than releasing them into the atmosphere. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) solutions focus on:
- Capturing CO₂ at the source before it enters the atmosphere.
- Finding innovative ways to repurpose captured CO₂ in industrial processes.
- Exploring regulatory frameworks that incentivize carbon capture initiatives.
While the technology is still maturing, some promising developments include direct air capture technologies and the growing number of climate tech startups working to scale these solutions. However, the success of CCU depends heavily on policy support and market incentives, which are still evolving in the MENA region.
4. Offsetting Residual Emissions
Even after optimizing energy use, transitioning to renewables, and implementing carbon capture solutions, some emissions will remain. This is where carbon offsetting comes in.
Businesses can:
- Invest in reforestation and afforestation projects to absorb CO₂ naturally.
- Support verified carbon offset programs, such as renewable energy projects in developing regions.
- Purchase carbon credits to balance out unavoidable emissions.
Carbon markets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are still developing, but initiatives launched in 2023 indicate a growing recognition of the need for structured carbon offsetting mechanisms.
However, it’s crucial to remember that offsetting should be the last step in a decarbonization strategy—not a substitute for direct emission reductions.
The Future of Decarbonization in MENA
Achieving net zero is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity. As Alicia Mansour emphasized, no single entity can tackle this alone. Strong partnerships between public and private sectors are critical for advancing decarbonization efforts.
For companies in the MENA region, taking action today—whether through energy efficiency, renewables, carbon capture, or offsetting—is no longer an option but a necessity. The journey to net zero starts with informed, strategic choices.
You can now watch the full episode of Let’s Turn the Tide podcast on YouTube, with Arabic and English subtitles available. The conversation dives deep into:
- What decarbonization really means & why it’s urgent for businesses
- The 4 key strategies to cut emissions & transition to net zero
- The role of AI, business model innovation, and policy in driving change
- How companies can overcome the biggest decarbonization challenges
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