Navigating Energy Transitions in the MENA region:

Insights from ARI’s Panel at Beirut Energy Week.

On September 20, the Arab Reform Initiative participated in the 2023 Beirut Energy Week, organised by The Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) and 1618 Energy. ARI's panel, titled; 'Equity & Justice Based Policies, Towards a Just Energy Transition', focused on the intricate dynamics of energy transitions in the MENA region. The panel, moderated by ARI's environmental politics program director, Sarine Karajerjian , featured insights from Laury Haytayan , an energy policy and geopolitics expert, and environmental activist and renewable energy engineer Abdallah Alshamali .

Energy Transition and Justice in MENA:

Abdullah Al-Shamali emphasised the potential of Lebanon as a model for renewable energy utilisation, highlighting the importance of transitioning from fossil-dependent nations to ones reliant on renewables. He noted, “In the Arab context, we are engaging with the energy transition based on market shifts, not necessarily on just transition strategies.” He stressed the importance of energy security and access as priorities for Arab governments, emphasising the need for planning and legislation to balance new energy regimes.

Lebanon’s Energy Prospects:

Laury Haytayan discussed the ongoing exploratory drilling in Lebanon, emphasising the uncertainty surrounding the feasibility of hydrocarbon reserves. She warned against relying on oil and gas after 2030 due to the global shift to greener economies and questioned Lebanon’s ability to attract external investment amidst internal turmoil. “Is Lebanon still able to bring in external investment so long as internally it is a mess without any signs of national strategies and policy reforms?” she queried.

Regional Energy Dynamics:

Haytayan also highlighted the diverse energy landscapes within the MENA region, with Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading new economic visions, while Levant countries approach energy transition more opportunistically. She remarked, “In energy shifts, we are touching on the very nature of the social contracts of the countries in the region. The energy transition in our region would also need a political transition.”

Jordan’s Renewable Energy Policies:

Abdullah Al-Shamali shared that 27% of all energy produced in Jordan comes from renewable sources. However, he pointed out the challenges posed by unemployment due to the absence of economic and market vision and a lack of strategic studies on renewable technologies. “We shouldn’t just look at what was, but see what is possible for the future,” he advised.

External Funding and Green Hydrogen:

Laury Haytayan criticised the influence of external funding interests, particularly from Europe, on the region’s energy strategies, calling it an “opportunistic grab” exploiting the economic crisis and political instability in countries like Lebanon. Both panellists expressed concerns over the focus on green hydrogen, emphasising the extensive resources it requires and the potential loss of local use and access to energy.

Audience Queries:

Audience questions revolved around the societal benefits of green hydrogen and the guarantees from oil and gas companies for infrastructure and the environment. The exploitation of hydrogen technology in MENA by Europe due to the low cost of generation was also discussed.

The Arab Reform Initiative continues to advocate for equitable and sustainable energy policies in the MENA region.?ARI’s Environmental Politics Program seeks to place the environment at the heart of research, policy, and activism in MENA. We approach the environment not simply as a set of natural resources, but also as a shared public space, a domain of public health, and an arena of political economy. For us, environmentalism is not a “technical” issue, but rather inseparable from MENA’s broader political and economic discussions, requiring regular and engaged dialogue between different constituencies and disciplines and an amplification of the voices of those most affected by environmental damage.

This action is part of the 'Just Transition Green Bridge Project' generously co-funded by the European Union through its ‘Civil Society Facility for the Mediterranean’ and the Kingdom of Sweden through its Development Cooperation with Middle East and Northern Africa The Embassy of Sweden Amman – Regional Development Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa , this collaborative project aims to amplify the voices of climate change affected communities, democratise environmental policymaking, and promote an inclusive and egalitarian environmental transition.