As the world gears up for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) on climate change in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), it becomes increasingly evident that Arab countries are grappling with the complexities of crafting effective climate change policies.
While Arab countries may not be the primary contributors to atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, the region remains highly susceptible to a range of natural and human-induced disasters, necessitating proactive mitigation efforts as part of the global response to climate change. However, despite the urgent imperative to address the global climate crisis, their efforts to reduce its impacts have encountered numerous challenges, resulting in a lack of clear and consistent results. The distinctive position of Arab countries in addressing climate change provides valuable insights into the urgent steps they must take to assume a more substantial role in mitigating the global impacts of climate change. (1)
Policymakers and the public in the Arab world have traditionally exhibited a sense of apathy toward climate change issues, which urgently demand attention. This indifference has come to the forefront, particularly following the recent devastating flooding in Libya. This event has underscored a significant lack of preparedness to confront such climate-related challenges and their far-reaching consequences on both the population and the economy. As a result, if Arab policymakers intend to effectively tackle these pressing challenges and vulnerabilities while proactively preparing for potential adverse climate impacts, there is a critical need for comprehensive plans that cover three key areas. First, increasing awareness through investment in education. Second, collecting and evaluating data. And third, enhancing their disaster risk management strategies in accordance with their available resources and policies. Such plans should be complemented by the formulation of policies designed to identify priority areas that are most vulnerable. This strategic approach should serve as the cornerstone for Arab governments to embark on a wide array of mitigation efforts in the years ahead.
Increasing Public Awareness Among Arab Citizens:
The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) recently conducted a survey to gauge the level of climate change awareness among the Arab public. The objective was to assess whether climate change holds significance in their lives and whether they are willing to contribute personally to climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The survey results revealed an encouraging increase in climate change awareness. Notably, 98% of respondents acknowledged that the climate is changing, with 89% attributing this change to human activities. Furthermore, 51% believed that governments were not taking adequate measures to address the problem, while 84% recognized that climate change poses a serious challenge to their countries. A remarkable 94% expressed a belief that their countries would benefit from participating in global efforts to combat climate change, and 93% pledged to take personal actions to reduce their contribution to the problem.
Nevertheless, despite the commendable level of awareness among the Arab public, there remains a noticeable disparity between the Arab region and other parts of the world concerning environmental education and awareness. This discrepancy can be attributed to a combination of factors. On one hand, the persistent unrest and conflicts in certain Arab countries have hindered the development of environmental education programs and the dissemination of awareness campaigns. On the other hand, the limited availability of resources and funding poses a challenge for Arab governments in effectively addressing climate change issues. Moreover, it is only in recent years that Arab policymakers have begun to receive attention and acknowledge that environmental issues are equally problematic when compared to other pressing concerns.
In light of these identified shortcomings that underscore a gap in the education system across the Arab world, the tragic flooding in Libya serves as an undeniable wake-up call for Arab leaders. The floods, which have claimed the lives of more than 5300 individuals, with thousands still missing, highlight the urgency of initiating a comprehensive policy debate on climate change hazards. This crisis should prompt Arab leaders to prioritize climate change as an area requiring immediate attention. Equally crucial is the necessity to educate the public and increase awareness regarding the importance of adaptation strategies. These measures should be developed to empower both individuals and policymakers in the Arab world, enabling them to bolster their preparedness for mitigating the effects of potential future disasters that could impact their nations. (2)
While the AFED survey reflects a growing awareness of climate change among the Arab public, it also highlights the challenges that persist in the realm of environmental education. To bridge this awareness gap and address the environmental vulnerabilities of the region, it is imperative for Arab leaders to make climate change a top priority. Furthermore, investing in public education and awareness campaigns will be essential in fostering a more resilient and prepared Arab world to confront the challenges posed by climate change and associated disasters. (3)
Lack of Detailed Data Disaggregation:
Arab countries have grappled with a substantial data deficit, particularly in the context of assessing climate change impacts. This data gap is particularly pronounced when it comes to disaggregated data, which is instrumental in mapping climate change risks and identifying the specific groups affected by these challenges. Consequently, Arab nations are compelled to prioritize efforts aimed at improving risk literacy across all sectors and among all stakeholders, regardless of the scale of their involvement. In particular, it is imperative for Arab countries to strengthen their capacities to quantify risk-related information. This involves the collection, disaggregation, and analysis of data pertaining to exposure, vulnerability, and losses resulting from disasters. These measures are essential to inform and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the region.
Furthermore, disaggregated data provides a detailed perspective on how climate change impacts specific regions, communities, and sectors. It is instrumental in revealing the disproportionate effects on different groups, thus enabling the identification and rectification of environmental injustices. These data shed light on the vulnerabilities of populations, particularly marginalized communities, and offer insights into the socio-economic challenges they face.
Additionally, disaggregated data plays a pivotal role in assessing the risks associated with climate change, which, in turn, facilitates improved preparedness and resilience-building efforts. This approach leads to more inclusive decision-making, ensuring alignment with sustainable development policies, climate change adaptation strategies, and conflict mitigation. Furthermore, disaggregated data paves the way for the development of targeted and customized actions that can address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of various communities and regions. Without the insights offered by such data, efforts to combat climate change may come up short, ultimately failing to achieve the required impact.
Crafting an Effective Disaster Risk Management Strategy:
Despite significant advancements in disaster risk management in Arab countries, the challenge of improving disaster preparedness remains a barrier to formulating effective adaptation policies in the Arab world. This challenge is further exacerbated by the prevailing instability in the region, which undermines the overall effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation policies and hinders the transition from reactive responses to proactive prevention and preparedness.
Furthermore, the economic consequences of disasters in Arab countries are compounded by factors such as economic downturns, infrastructure damage, business closures, reduced tax revenues, and increased poverty levels. These additional burdens amplify the costs of response and reconstruction.
It is important to note that disasters and conflict are interlinked. Arab countries grappling with fragility, conflict, and violence are particularly susceptible to the impacts of disasters due to weakened government capacity. In turn, disasters can exacerbate existing tensions, further increasing the risk of violence and conflict in the region. The interplay between disasters and conflict presents a formidable challenge that must be addressed to ensure the resilience and stability of Arab nations. Moreover, considering the climate-related challenges and the rapid pace of urbanization in the region, it is imperative that ongoing efforts focus on enhancing preparedness, strengthening early warning systems, and building resilience within communities. This should be coupled with the continuous improvement of disaster risk management policies to promote resilient development and expedite recovery processes. (4)
Conclusion:
In summary, Arab countries can only make significant progress in developing and implementing effective policies if they recognize that climate change is a global challenge requiring collaboration at local, regional, and international levels for a sustainable future. Keeping this in mind, the consequences of inaction extend far beyond environmental concerns, posing significant economic risks. Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge that, despite significant wealth concentration in the Arab world, it paradoxically exhibits the highest income inequality on a global scale. This income disparity frequently leads to the inequitable distribution of the associated risks and benefits stemming from resource utilization.
Looking ahead, climate change offers a unique opportunity to address these disparities by leveraging the economic potential of the region. Therefore, it is challenging for Arab countries to fulfill their international commitments unless they align their policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals provide a comprehensive framework that encompasses climate action, clean energy, economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection, emphasizing the urgent requirement for determined climate action within the Arab world.