Egypt Boosts Climate Action Efforts Ahead of COP30 in Brazil: What You Need to Know

Egypt is gearing up for the COP30 climate summit in Brazil next year. Manal Awad, the Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, recently held a vital meeting with senior officials to assess the country’s climate initiatives.

During this meet-up, Awad made it clear that the Central Department for Climate Change is essential for boosting Egypt’s climate efforts and working with both local and international partners. She stressed the need to train climate units in various government ministries. This training aims to speed up the implementation of climate strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

The Ministry of Environment shared a report that reviews how different ministries are tackling climate change. This report also provided a framework to ensure that institutions align their plans with Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy 2050. Additionally, the ministry is collaborating with Germany’s GIZ to create an adaptation framework for the governorates of Qena and Kafr El-Sheikh.

Ali Abu Senna, the head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, pointed out that the ministry is working on digitizing its monitoring system. This new system will track greenhouse gas emissions across sectors like energy, agriculture, and waste management. It’s also set to monitor climate events, such as heatwaves and unseasonal rainfall, that impact vulnerable areas, especially agriculture.

Sharif Abdel Rahim, focusing on climate policy, highlighted an interactive climate risk map that identifies regions most at risk. This tool is crucial for development planning and showcases Egypt’s dedication to meeting its international climate commitments.

Soha Taher, who leads the Central Department for Climate Change, mentioned several initiatives backed by donors. These include the EU-funded “EU Green” program and a project to transform financial systems for climate change, supported by the French Development Agency. Egypt is also preparing its first Biennial Transparency Report and Fifth National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change with help from the Global Environment Facility.

Historically, Egypt has submitted three National Communications since 1999 and a Biennial Update Report in 2019. Currently, a fourth National Communication is in the works. In June 2023, Egypt updated its targets, aiming for 42% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.

These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the urgent need for climate action. According to a recent survey from the Climate Change and Health Centre, 74% of Egyptians believe climate change is a major threat to their country. With climate challenges on the rise, Egypt is taking serious steps to adapt and mitigate these risks—proactive moves that are critical for the country’s future.

For more detailed information, refer to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

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