Climate change and the energy transition in the MENA region

The urgent need to decrease carbon emissions as part of climate change mitigation renders energy transition inevitable. Identified as one of the most affected regions by global warming, the achievement of emission reduction targets in MENA entails a fundamental transformation of the energy sector from fossil based to zero carbon systems. This chapter discusses required policy and governance frameworks for advancing the decarbonization and energy transition agenda across the MENA Region. Evaluating policy barriers and challenges which hinder progress in decarbonization, the study provides recommendations, and concludes that in adopting a comprehensive approach to the notion of energy transition, MENA governments can further focus on sustainable cities with efficiency measures and digitalization, can encourage indigenous talents and innovations through creating a green entrepreneurship environment, enhance regional cooperation, and invest in human capital with sustainable development education so as to change mind sets and consumption habits to transform the sustainability culture across generations.