Carboun, an organisation which promotes sustainability in the Middle East, has produced its first infographic which does a great job of mapping out the region’s carbon emissions
I am huge fan of infographics – information as graphics – for the simple reason that they are a great way to get a handle on lots of complex information by just looking. Rather than reeling off lots of statistics and figures, graphics are used to give you a better understanding of the issue and allow you to make comparisons and reach conclusions. Carboun, an online sustainability advocacy group led by Karim Elgendy, has recently released a clear and easy-to-understand infographic on the carbon emissions of Middle Eastern residents.
The main finds are that whilst some residents in the oil-exporting nations of the Middle East are producing a lot of carbon, the majority are reflecting their developing nation status and producing limited amounts. Unsurprisingly, the oil-exporting nations such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the highest carbon producing nations per capita although Qatar topped the charts.
Indeed, Qatar is number one in world rankings when it comes to carbon emissions per capita. Libya also stood out as 39th highest nation in the world in terms of its per capita carbon emissions. Oman was 19th whilst Saudi, another oil-exporting nation, came in at 14.
Middle Eastern residents producing the least amount of C02 included Yemenis, Palestinians, Egyptians, Moroccans and Tunisians. Strangely, there were no statistics included on nations such as Iran and Israel although others such as Algeria, Egypt and Libya (which are technically outside the Middle East region) were included. This may be due to the limited amount of comparable data available but even so, it would be great to see an increase in the amount and quality of infographics on the Middle East and other green issues.
Carboun is an advocacy initiative promoting sustainability and environmental protection in the Middle East. It aims to increase awareness of the importance of environmentally responsive design and development as a major tool in reducing the environmental impact of development on energy and resource use.
To find out more on Carboun see their website or follow them on twitter.
For more on the carbon emissions of the Middle East see:
Israel Prepares To Combat Greenhouse Gases
Despite Best Intentions, Gulf Countries Can’t Quit C02
UAE To Cut Electricity Output, C02 Emissions
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
I’m perplexed why Algerians and Iraqis were lumped with us resource-poor countries. These two are rich in resources, specifically in energetic resources, so it seems absurd to me.
It would have made sense if it were a GDP per capita division, both would belong in the second pile, but that’s not what resource-rich/poor mean!
Very good article.
It is fascinating to see the comparisons and the rankings!!
Thank you Arwa
Dimitris
Israel is part of europe why would they want to be part of the middle east, they may look like arabs but they have nothing in common. Culturally Israel is Europe! Long live Israel!!!
If you look at a map Israel is nowhere near Europe. It shares more environmental issues with its Middle East neighbors than it does with Norway or Poland.
Iran is doing remarkably with its carbon capture mission, recently they are developing many new urban forests around the cities especially in the north of the country to counter the pollution. Another benefit at present is Iran’s car production meeting new european standards, which in the long run will help clear the smog from cities like Tehran. Not to mention all the other amazing projects on the go at the moment.
I’ve heard the opposite. That Iranian cities are the most polluted in the world.
Another Mid East country is not on this list, although Palestine is.
Well technically Palestine is not a country, yet.
This is fascinating. I’m surprised to see Egypt so far down on the list, and it’s a pity that Iran and Israel were both excluded from the study. I’m guessing that’s because of lack of access. It’s also interesting that they lumped all of the Emirates together. I’d be curious to know what the difference is between Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates. No doubt quite significant. Thanks Arwa!
Lack of access or political reasons, I’d guess.