Matching ambition to delivery to help scale climate innovation across MENA

Countries across the MENA region have made a range of climate pledges in recent years, reflecting both the scale of their sustainability ambitions and also the challenges and complexities of transitioning from what have historically been fossil fuel-dependent economies.

The UAE was the first MENA country to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 and has developed a national pathway to achieve this goal, with an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 47% by 2035 compared to 2019 levels. The country has already invested over $50bn in clean energy projects and plans to invest an additional $50bn over the next decade. Like many countries, the UAE has also signed clean energy cooperation agreements, such as the one with Italy and Albania to produce renewable energy in Albania.

Saudi Arabia has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. The kingdom aims to generate 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and has announced plans to invest $50bn in renewable energy projects. Saudi Arabia is also signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Egypt has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), setting specific goals for reducing emissions by 2030, conditional on receiving $246bn in international support. The country has signed agreements for green hydrogen and ammonia projects and is developing a 10GW wind farm in collaboration with the UAE.

Kuwait aims to become carbon neutral in the oil and gas sector by 2050 and achieve nationwide carbon neutrality by 2060. The country plans to reduce its emissions by 7.4% by 2035 and has set a goal for 15% of total energy production to come from renewable sources by 2030. Kuwait is also a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge.

Jordan's National Climate Change Policy outlines its goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The country aims to improve water availability and quality through its 2023-2040 National Water Strategy, focusing on wastewater treatment and reducing water usage in agriculture.

Across the region, countries including Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have all pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Saudi Arabia has committed $2.5bn over the next ten years to support the Middle East Green Initiative, which aims to combat climate change in the region.

While all these pledges signify a growing commitment to addressing climate change, the region faces significant challenges in balancing its historic economic reliance on fossil fuels with the transition to renewable energy sources. Continued investment, international cooperation and policy implementation will be crucial in achieving these climate goals.

Many of the challenges of scaling low-carbon infrastructure are common to all countries as they undertake their journeys to a net zero future. These include high upfront capital costs, grid and energy system limitations, regulatory and policy barriers, supply chain and resource constraints, workforce and skills gaps, land use and public opposition and technology integration and interoperability to name but a few. Given the commonality of the net zero challenges facing countries in the MENA region and the pan-regional approach that is already been taken to addressing them, there are real opportunities for cooperation across MENA in the areas of climate tech, policy development and financing which will need to be grasped if the region’s ambitious climate targets are to be met.

All this bodes well for Innovation Zero’s MENA Congress in Riyadh on 14-15 October 2025 to connect the leaders of the future economy across all the region’s countries and explore decarbonisation across the key

multiple sectors including environment, energy and industry, circular carbon economy, finance, advanced technologies and cities and infrastructure. The congress will provide a unique opportunity for solution providers and stakeholders across the MENA region to engage positively and proactively with a rapidly evolving market and drive real impact on a global scale.

Matching ambition to delivery across the many MENA countries will be key to scaling up climate innovation across the region.

Innovation Zero MENA Congress takes place on 14-15 October 2025 in Misk City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Find out more at www.innovationzero.com