The Failures that Define Us – Addressing Climate Disaster in the MENA Region

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From 31 October to 13 November 2021, world leaders met in Glasgow for the 26th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26). The meeting’s agenda included discussions on climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as on climate finance and global collaboration.[1] Perhaps most importantly, COP26 set out to build on the 2015 landmark commitments of the COP21 Paris Agreement to limit the global-means temperature ideally under 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and saw commitments to end deforestation and slash methane emissions.[2] Widely perceived as one of humanity’s last chances to prevent climate disaster, COP26 largely failed to meet the demands of the moment, with states remaining well off course from committing to effective, structural changes.[3] COP26 came at an unprecedented moment in which the global climate emergency requires swift and effective action towards net-zero carbon emissions, and the adoption of measures to address climate vulnerability and ensure the resilience of the world’s vulnerable regions.

The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change, with effects already being felt across communities. With the negative effects of climate change already impacting much of the region – and set to get worse in the years to come – efforts should focus not only on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) worldwide, but on ensuring adequate climate adaptation to mitigate the impacts across MENA societies.

[2] The Paris Agreement, UN Climate Change, last accessed December 8 2021, at: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

[3] Fiona Harvey, “Ratchets, phase downs and a fragile agreement: how COP26 played out”, The Guardian, November 15 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/15/ratchets-phase-downs-and-a-fragile-agreement-how-cop26-played-out