Climate change is real and human activities are the main cause, according to the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere has been rising steadily. The most abundant greenhouse gas, accounting for about two-thirds of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), is largely the product of burning fossil fuels.
Climate change is a uniquely challenging issue in the West Asia region. Due to its arid and limited natural resource base, the region is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, especially water resources, biodiversity, and health. Therefore, adaptation is a priority for the region. Home to a significant concentration of the world’s current oil and gas production and proven reserves, many countries in the region have built their economies, infrastructure, and human development plans on these resources, and most regard fossil fuels as a mainstay of their futures for years to come. However, the region holds significant potential for emission reduction through the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
The Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) is supporting countries in the region with regards to regular reporting to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement, enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and transparency, developing strategies towards achieving low carbon and net zero development, implementing the NDCs and advancing the national planning for adaptation. The regional office provides support in the form of policy advise, technical assistance, capacity building, facilitating access to climate financing, promoting regional and global networking for knowledge and experience sharing.
Initiatives, Projects and Activities
- Enhancing Climate Resilience of the Water Sector in Bahrain
The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and aims to support Bahrain’s Water Resources Council address the climate change impact of substantial reductions in the Kingdom’s freshwater reserves, through establishing and operating a knowledge platform on climate-resilient integrated water resources management framework across different sectors.
- National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
UNEP, with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is executing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project in Iraq and preparing the NAP project proposal for Syria under the GCF’s Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. The aim of these projects is to strengthen institutional, technical, and financial capacities to ensure that medium to long-term climate adaptation needs are integrated into national development planning in the country.
- Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI)
UNEP is supporting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) in Dubai on the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI), through identifying and closing gaps in existing adaptation knowledge that act as a barrier to successful actions on adaptation.
- Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Action Project
In West Asia, UNEP/ UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre is supporting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in translating its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) into concrete strategies and actions ready for financing and implementation, developing plans, enhancing enabling environments, and attracting public and private sector financing for two priority sectors: water for agriculture and solid waste management.
- Net Zero Strategy for the State of Kuwait
UNEP is supporting the Government of Kuwait in developing a net zero carbon strategy 2060 by providing policy makers with a guiding document, based on solid analysis and transparent methodologies, which sets out the path towards a zero-greenhouse gas (GHG) emission future across the economy. The Strategy will also assist current and future efforts to ‘build back better in a post-COVID-19 world.
- National Communication report (NC) and the Biennial Update Report (BUR)
UNEP with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is supporting West Asia countries to build technical capacity to meet the enhanced transparency requirements. UNEP is supporting Iraq in developing the Second National Communication report (SNC) and the Biennial Update Report (BUR), Qatar with their SNC and their first BUR and Kuwait with their Third NC and their second BUR.
Publications
Jointly produced by UNEP and the Islamic Development Bank, the report relies on a scenario modelling approach to show that countries in West Asia can collectively achieve net-zero emissions in the energy sector along with the diversification of their economies. This will lead to more sustainable and low-carbon economies in the region.
