Egypt Launches National Strategy for Climate Change 2050

On Thursday, Egypt launched the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050, five months ahead of the country hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27) in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The announcement was made during a ceremony attended by a handful of high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, in addition to a number of United Nations officials, ambassadors and representatives of international missions and organisations.

The strategy is based on five main pillars, with each one containing several sub-goals, the environment minister said while presenting the general outline of the project.

The project aims to effectively address the repercussions of climate change in a way that contributes to improving the quality of life for Egyptians, achieving sustainable development, sustainable economic growth and preserving natural resources and ecosystems.

It also aims to enhance Egypt’s climate change leadership internationally, the minister indicated.

The strategy's first pillar is to achieve sustainable economic growth and low-emissions development in various sectors, the minister noted.

This goal can be achieved by expanding reliance on renewable energy sources, reducing fossil fuel emissions, and adopting sustainable consumption and production models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from other non-energy-based activities, Fouad explained.

The second pillar aims to build resilience and adaptability to climate change, with a focus on mitigating the negative effects of the global phenomenon.

This goal aims to protect citizens from the negative health effects posed by climate change, and preserve the country's ecosystems and green spaces, the minister noted.

Fouad said the strategy's third objective seeks to improve governance and management in fields related to climate change, with the aim of achieving the country's strategic goals and luring more investments and opportunities for climate finance.

The fourth pillar aims to improve infrastructure for financing climate activities and promoting domestic green banking and green credit lines, the environment minister pointed out.

It also aims to foster innovative financing mechanisms that prioritise adaptation measures, such as green bonds, in addition to enhancing private sector participation in climate finance and promoting green jobs, she said.

The strategy's last pillar focuses on enhancing scientific research, technology transfer, knowledge management and awareness to combat, alleviate and adapt to climate change.

It also targets facilitating the dissemination of climate information and knowledge management between government and citizens, in addition to raising awareness about climate change among policy and decision makers, citizens and students.