Sustainability in the Middle East and Africa

Delivery

This report comes in PPT.

Key Findings

Fossil fuels dominate MEA energy generation

The majority of electricity output in MEA came from fossil fuels in 2020, with only a few countries stepping up to join a pledge to reduce this dependency. African countries are seeking to increase their electrification rates by investing in inexpensive greener energy alternatives, such as mini-grids.

Pollution remains a serious issue in the Middle East

The Middle East ranked low in the overall Pollution pillar in 2020, owing to poor air and water quality, as well as poor municipal waste management. While several countries within the region, including Saudi Arabia, have ratified the Paris Agreement, the Middle East remained one of the largest polluters globally in terms of CO2 emissions in 2020.

Weak security of Africa’s marine and terrestrial areas threatens its rich biodiversity

Despite large protected areas and a high number of protected species in the region, biodiversity loss continues at alarming rates. The pandemic has created further threats to the security of Africa’s national parks, with law enforcement being unable to tackle an increase in illegal wildlife poaching.

Malnutrition set to worsen in Africa

African countries continued to have the highest poverty rates globally in 2020, with malnutrition remaining a prevalent issue. Amid rapidly growing populations, rising food prices and political uncertainty in several African countries, the number of undernourished people is expected to rise further.

Temperatures continue to rise, with natural disasters intensifying

Africa remains the most vulnerable continent to climate change induced crop loss. Being the poorest region in the world, Africa continued to lack adaptive and coping capacities, with most of the climate-coping resources coming from international aid.