Sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa region - statistics & facts

Sustainability has emerged as a pressing concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where rapid urbanization, population growth, and environmental degradation pose significant challenges. With MENA’s growing population of about 570 million in 2024, there is an increasing recognition of the need to transition towards more sustainable practices to ensure the long-term well-being of both people and the planet.

Sustainability awareness in MENA

Public awareness campaigns are crucial in shaping attitudes and behaviors towards sustainability in the MENA region. Currently, 65 percent of MENA’s consumers are concerned about climate change being a global threat. There is a large gap between the perceived and actual rank of actions with the most impact on sustainability by the public in MENA. For example, while having less children has the highest impact on sustainability, it was perceived tenth among the public’s perception of effective sustainability measures. Therefore, educational initiatives and campaigns are crucial to raise awareness about environmental issues and conservation to empower individuals to make informed choices for a sustainable future.

Sustainability innovations in MENA

Many initiatives in the MENA region are addressing sustainability challenges, covering sustainable consumption, corporate responsibility, and public education. One example is Dubai’s sustainability initiative, the Demand Side Management program (DSM), which has exceeded its electricity-saving targets over the past decade. Enforcing standards and labels saved the largest share of water among DSM’s water-saving programs. Green ammonia production, powered by renewable sources, also offers a promising opportunity for cutting carbon emissions and encouraging energy self-sufficiency. Revenue of the green ammonia market in the MENA region was expected to surpass 128 million U.S. dollars by 2030. Despite these innovations, there is still room for growth, particularly in terms of corporate sustainability. According to a survey, up to 80 percent of consumers in some MENA countries believe that there is a lack of corporate sustainability ethics in the region. Increased public pressure could accelerate progress and increase corporate accountability.

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Country with happiest and most sustainable lives 2021: Costa Rica

Top company worldwide in environmental, social, and governance score in 2023: Microsoft

Market size of green technology and sustainability worldwide 2030: 61.92bn USD

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Share of public applying sustainability actions in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, by measure

Energy & Environment

Share of public taking sustainability actions UAE 2023, by action

Share of public applying sustainability actions in Saudi Arabia 2023, by measure

Energy & Environment

Share of public taking sustainability actions Saudi Arabia 2023, by action

Share of public applying sustainability actions in Qatar in 2023, by measure

Energy & Environment

Share of public taking sustainability actions Qatar 2023, by action

Recommended statistics

Overview

Premium Statistic GSR scores worldwide 2023, by region
GSR scores worldwide 2023, by region
Global governance, sustainability and resilience (GSR) scores in 2023, by region
Premium Statistic Distribution of emissions MENA 2023, by country
Distribution of emissions MENA 2023, by country
Distribution of emissions of select countries in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Sufficiency of emission reduction targets MENA 2030, by country
Sufficiency of emission reduction targets MENA 2030, by country
Sufficiency of 2030 emission targets in the Middle East and North Africa region as of 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Share of target emissions compared to business as usual MENA 2023, by country
Share of target emissions compared to business as usual MENA 2023, by country
Share of target emissions compared to business as usual in the Middle East and North Africa in 2030, by country
Premium Statistic Distribution of GSS bonds issuance worldwide 2019-H1 2023, by region
Distribution of GSS bonds issuance worldwide 2019-H1 2023, by region
Distribution of green, social, and sustainability (GSS) bonds issuance worldwide 2019-H1 2023, by region
Premium Statistic Food sustainability and adaptation score MENA 2022, by country
Food sustainability and adaptation score MENA 2022, by country
Food sustainability and adaptation score in the Middle East and North Africa in 2022, by country*

Corporate sustainability

Premium Statistic Public perception on lack of corporate sustainability ethics MENA 2023, by country
Public perception on lack of corporate sustainability ethics MENA 2023, by country
Public perception of insufficient corporate accountability for sustainability and ethical practices in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Share of companies disclosing their climate impact MENA 2023, by country
Share of companies disclosing their climate impact MENA 2023, by country
Share of companies disclosing their climate impact in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Share of respondents favoring economy over environment MENA 2023, by country
Share of respondents favoring economy over environment MENA 2023, by country
Share of respondents favoring the economy over the environment in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Public perception of sustainable industries MENA 2023, by industry
Public perception of sustainable industries MENA 2023, by industry
Public perception of sectors most active on sustainability practices in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by industry
Premium Statistic Share of opinion on bearing costs sustainability practices MENA 2023, by party
Share of opinion on bearing costs sustainability practices MENA 2023, by party
Share of opinion on bearing the cost of sustainability practices in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by party
Premium Statistic Issuers of green and sustainability sukuk in the GCC 2019-2022, by value
Issuers of green and sustainability sukuk in the GCC 2019-2022, by value
Issuers of green and sustainability sukuk in the Gulf Cooperation Council between 2019 and 2022, by value ( in million U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Total value of green and sustainability sukuk issuance in GCC 2018-2022, by country
Total value of green and sustainability sukuk issuance in GCC 2018-2022, by country
Cumulated value of green and sustainability sukuk issuance in the Gulf Cooperation Council between 2018 and H1 2022, by country ( in million U.S. dollars)

Public awareness

Premium Statistic Share of public awareness of sustainability topics MENA 2023, by topic
Share of public awareness of sustainability topics MENA 2023, by topic
Share of public awareness of sustainability topics in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by topic
Premium Statistic Perceived top sustainability measures MENA 2023, by action
Perceived top sustainability measures MENA 2023, by action
Perceived and actual rank of actions with most impact on sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by measure
Premium Statistic Share of opinion on motivators of sustainable living MENA 2023, by driver
Share of opinion on motivators of sustainable living MENA 2023, by driver
Share of opinion on the motivators for sustainable living in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by driver
Premium Statistic Consumer concern towards climate change being a global threat MENA 2023
Consumer concern towards climate change being a global threat MENA 2023
Consumer attitudes towards climate change as a global threat in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023
Premium Statistic Consumer concern towards climate change being a threat to their family MENA 2023
Consumer concern towards climate change being a threat to their family MENA 2023
Consumer concern towards climate change being a threat to their family in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023
Premium Statistic Share of consumer concern on regional vulnerability to climate change MENA 2023
Share of consumer concern on regional vulnerability to climate change MENA 2023
Share of consumer concern on the vulnerability of the Middle East and North Africa region to climate change in 2023
Premium Statistic Public skepticism over severity of climate change MENA 2023, by country
Public skepticism over severity of climate change MENA 2023, by country
Share of public skepticism over seriousness of climate change in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by country

Sustainable consumption practices

Premium Statistic Share of public prioritizing sustainable brands MENA 2023, by country
Share of public prioritizing sustainable brands MENA 2023, by country
Share of public prioritizing brands with sustainable practices in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by country
Premium Statistic Share of public taking sustainability actions MENA 2023, by action
Share of public taking sustainability actions MENA 2023, by action
Share of public applying sustainability actions in the Middle East and North Africa region 2023, by measure
Premium Statistic Share of household electricity Saudi Arabia 2022, by type of sources
Share of household electricity Saudi Arabia 2022, by type of sources
Share of household electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia in 2022, by source
Premium Statistic Willingness to use solar energy in households Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Willingness to use solar energy in households Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Share of households willing to use solar energy at their home in Saudi Arabia in 2022, by region
Premium Statistic Share of interest in rationalizing electricity usage Saudi Arabia 2022
Share of interest in rationalizing electricity usage Saudi Arabia 2022
Household opinion on rationalizing electricity usage in Saudi Arabia 2022
Premium Statistic Share of households rationalizing electricity usage Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Share of households rationalizing electricity usage Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Share of households who apply electricity rationalizing instructions in Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Premium Statistic Willingness to spend on energy efficient appliances Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Willingness to spend on energy efficient appliances Saudi Arabia 2022, by region
Share of households willing to spend on upgrading to energy efficient appliances in Saudi Arabia in 2022, by region

Green ammonia

Premium Statistic Green ammonia market revenue MEA 2019-2030
Green ammonia market revenue MEA 2019-2030
Total revenue of the green ammonia market in the Middle East and Africa region from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts to 2030 (in million U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Green ammonia market volume MEA 2019-2030, by use
Green ammonia market volume MEA 2019-2030, by use
Total volume of the green ammonia market in the Middle East and Africa region from 2019 to 2021 with forecasts to 2030, by use (in tons)
Premium Statistic Green ammonia market revenue UAE 2019-2030
Green ammonia market revenue UAE 2019-2030
Total revenue of the green ammonia market in the United Arab Emirates from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts to 2030 (in million U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Green ammonia market volume UAE 2019-2030
Green ammonia market volume UAE 2019-2030
Total volume of the green ammonia market in the United Arab Emirates from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts to 2030 (in tons)
Premium Statistic Green ammonia market revenue Saudi Arabia 2019-2030
Green ammonia market revenue Saudi Arabia 2019-2030
Total revenue of the green ammonia market in Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts to 2030 (in million U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Green ammonia market volume Saudi Arabia 2019-2030
Green ammonia market volume Saudi Arabia 2019-2030
Total volume of the green ammonia market in Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts to 2030 (in tons)

Spotlight: Saudi Electricity Co.

Premium Statistic Primary energy savings energy efficiency initiatives Saudi Arabia 2021, by sector
Primary energy savings energy efficiency initiatives Saudi Arabia 2021, by sector
Primary energy savings from energy efficiency initiatives in Saudi Arabia in 2021, by sector (in1,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day)
Premium Statistic Expected reduction in carbon dioxide emissions Saudi Arabia 2024, by project
Expected reduction in carbon dioxide emissions Saudi Arabia 2024, by project
Projected reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Saudi Arabia in 2024, by project (in 1,000 metric tons per year)
Premium Statistic Planned reduction in fossil fuel consumption in Saudi Arabia 2024, by project
Planned reduction in fossil fuel consumption in Saudi Arabia 2024, by project
Planned reduction in fossil fuel consumption in Saudi Arabia in 2024, by project (in million barrels per day)
Premium Statistic GHG emission intensity of Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
GHG emission intensity of Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
GHG emission intensity of Saudi Electricity Company from 2018 to 2022 (in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per megawatt hour production)
Premium Statistic Saudi Electricity Company's total GHG emissions 2018-2021
Saudi Electricity Company's total GHG emissions 2018-2021
Saudi Electricity Company's total GHG emissions from 2018 to 2021 (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)
Premium Statistic Saudi Electricity Company's total water consumption 2018-2022
Saudi Electricity Company's total water consumption 2018-2022
Saudi Electricity Company's total water consumption from 2018 to 2022 (in million cubic meters)
Premium Statistic Share of water recycled or reused at the Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
Share of water recycled or reused at the Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
Share of total water recycled or reused at the Saudi Electricity Company from 2018 to 2022
Premium Statistic Self-consumed energy from rooftop solar panels at Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
Self-consumed energy from rooftop solar panels at Saudi Electricity Company 2018-2022
Self-consumed renewable energy from rooftop solar panels at Saudi Electricity Company buildings from 2018 to 2022 (in megawatt hours)

Spotlight: Dubai's Demand Side Management program

Premium Statistic DSM target and actual electricity savings Dubai 2013-2030
DSM target and actual electricity savings Dubai 2013-2030
Annual electricity saving targets and actual electricity savings from Dubai's Demand Side Management program from 2013 to 2030 (in terawatt hours)
Premium Statistic Actual and target electricity saving Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Actual and target electricity saving Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Actual and target electricity saving through Dubai's Demand Side Management program in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by program (in gigawatt hours)
Premium Statistic Water saving targets and actual water savings Dubai 2013-2030
Water saving targets and actual water savings Dubai 2013-2030
Annual water saving targets and actual water savings from Dubai's Demand Side Management program from 2013 to 2030 (in billion imperial gallons)
Premium Statistic Actual and target water saving Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Actual and target water saving Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Actual and target water saving through Dubai's Demand Side Management (DSM) program in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by program (in million imperial gallons)
Premium Statistic Share of total water saved Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Share of total water saved Dubai UAE 2022, by program
Share of total water saved through Dubai's Demand Side Management program in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, by program

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