Middle East and North Africa and the Circular Carbon Economy: Seizing the Potential for Action

Amid rapid economic growth and rising energy needs, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces mounting challenges in managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this insightful new paper, Laura El-Katiri (member of the Arab Energy Club), along with Fatih Yilmaz and Mari Luomi explore MENA’s progress toward a circular carbon economy (CCE), using the 2023 Circular Carbon Economy Index from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) as a foundation for analysis. Covering 14 MENA nations, the paper breaks down their performance across key CCE dimensions: total index score, CCE enablers, and the oil producers’ perspective. This analysis highlights both achievements and areas for policy innovation, offering a crucial perspective on MENA’s potential pathway to carbon neutrality by mid-century.