Proceedings of the Second International Energy 2030 Conference,
November 4-5, 2008, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Potential for Carbon Management in Reducing CO₂ Emissions in the Middle East

Mahmut Sengul
Schlumberger Carbon Services, UAE

Colin Francis
The Petroleum Institute, UAE

Mirella Elkadi
The Petroleum Institute, UAE

Avin Pillay
The Petroleum Institute, UAE

Abstract
In its Fourth Assessment Report [1], the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that “warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level”. The IPCC has also stated that most of the observed increase in temperature in the second half of the 20^th century can be directly attributed to the increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations; notably those of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Translating these conclusions into predictions of how climate change is likely to affect the Middle East is difficult. However, there is increasing concern in many countries in the region that climate change will pose serious threats to their environments and their economies. In the U.A.E., for example, increasing global sea level could have a serious impact on the country, with a large fraction of the population, infrastructure and industry being located in coastal areas [2]. Also, in what has been referred to as “one of the world’s most water-stressed regions” [3], any changes in temperature and rainfall patterns that lead to a decrease in the availability of freshwater will result in an even greater need for desalination, requiring additional energy and leading to higher CO₂ emissions and costs.

This study looks at current environmental stress in the Middle East using several sustainability and environmental indicators, before focusing on the contribution by countries of the Middle East to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. A breakdown of the origins of these emissions points to ways to address CO₂ emissions reduction in the region through Carbon Management. We then consider some of the steps that the U.A.E. is currently taking to mitigate climate change by controlling its CO₂ emissions.