“It is time to end fossil fuel subsidies and stop expanding oil and gas exploration; we are in a race against time, and our addiction to fossil fuels is killing us.”
With this urgent message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on world leaders to halt the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources, which are safer and more environmentally friendly, to safeguard the future of coming generations.
The Gulf countries rank among the largest suppliers of fossil fuels globally and are also among the highest emitters of carbon emissions. A recent study published in Energy magazine in July revealed that Arab countries contain 66 of the world’s 195 “carbon bombs,” with the Gulf states alone accounting for 60 of these, responsible for a total of 221 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
The term “carbon bombs” has gained prominence in climate discussions in recent years. It refers to large fossil fuel projects that are projected to emit at least one billion tons of carbon dioxide over their lifetimes.
There is a direct link between fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and the climate crisis we are currently facing; fossil fuels are the largest contributors to this phenomenon, responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and around 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions, according to United Nations statistics. These emissions trap the sun’s heat within the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a rise in global average temperatures—a phenomenon known as global warming. This, in turn, causes disruptions in weather patterns and disturbs the natural balance, posing significant risks to humans and all forms of life on Earth.
Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally, Qatar Fourth
A recent study assessing the size and number of carbon bombs in the Arab world revealed that six Gulf countries account for 60 carbon bombs, with Saudi Arabia leading the region and ranking second globally with 24 bombs, responsible for approximately 108 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Qatar follows with 13 bombs, Iraq with 11 bombs, the UAE with seven bombs, Kuwait with four bombs, and Bahrain in last place with one bomb, emitting an estimated 1.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
Kel Quinn, a researcher at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and the study’s lead author highlighted that Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in terms of the number of carbon bombs, with Qatar and Iraq holding the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. This underscores the significant contribution of the fossil fuel industry in the Gulf countries to global carbon emissions.
Qatar and Kuwait Show No Signs of Slowing Down
Keil Quinn, the study’s lead author, told Muwatin that some Gulf countries are attempting to improve their environmental image by announcing reductions in carbon emissions and developing plans to decrease reliance on the oil economy. However, these declarations are not reflected in their policies, as these countries continue investing heavily in the fossil oil and gas sectors. Qatar’s northern gas fields, for instance, have been identified as the largest new carbon bomb in the world, with more than half of its recent developments. According to Quinn, these new projects account for 80% of Qatar’s total carbon emissions.
Quinn also confirmed that half of Kuwait’s carbon bombs are new projects, as is the single carbon bomb in Bahrain. In Saudi Arabia, modern carbon bombs constitute a quarter of the total. He emphasized that 40% of fossil fuel projects that have not yet begun production should be halted, warning that the continued consumption of fossil fuels will drive human civilization toward catastrophe. Fossil fuel-producing countries must recognize the immense losses people worldwide endure due to ongoing investments in this industry.
The Middle East’s Temperature Rising Twice the Global Average
Due to the significant volume of carbon emissions in the Middle East, its inhabitants are experiencing the effects of the climate crisis more intensely than others worldwide. The region’s average temperature is rising at more than twice the global rate, according to a research study published by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the Cyprus Institute in September. This rapid increase in temperature threatens over 400 million people with various climate-related disasters, including higher rates of drought, threats to food security, widespread floods and fires, and increased mortality rates due to rising temperatures. Additionally, some cities in the region face the risk of being submerged.
The study revealed that, based on data collected between 1981 and 2019, the average temperature in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean basin has increased by 0.45 degrees Celsius per decade, compared to the global average increase of 0.27 degrees per decade. The study further projected that the region’s average temperature could rise by 5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century unless significant changes are made. Such an increase would surpass critical thresholds for human adaptation, leading to severe health and livelihood challenges for the region’s population.
The Gulf Climate: Most Sensitive to Rising Temperatures
Regarding the direct risks of the global warming crisis on Arab populations, Ahmed Adel (a pseudonym), a Qatari PhD student at an environmental research center at a British university, explains that the geography of the Arab Gulf states makes them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These states are more sensitive than others due to their continental desert climate, characterized by drought and high temperatures. The crisis is exacerbated during the summer when temperatures soar to extreme levels, potentially rendering cooling systems less effective over time. Additionally, the rising sea levels pose significant risks for countries with industrial facilities located along their coastlines or where a large portion of the population lives near the sea.
Adel told Muwatin that the resulting risks would be unavoidable if global average temperatures continue to rise. Many industrial facilities in the Gulf states are situated along the coastline and are crucial sources of national income. The threat to these facilities could hinder economic growth, reduce the output of their products, and necessitate a range of adaptation measures to mitigate the risks.
He also highlighted that climate change carries a significant economic burden for Gulf countries. This burden includes the costs of preparing the necessary infrastructure to cope with rising temperatures and sea levels, which will, in turn, impact citizens’ social and psychological well-being. These challenges are extensions of the economic realities most Gulf countries face.
A Large Economic, Health, and Social Bill
Fatima Yassin, a PhD student in biomaterials and polymers at the Lebanese University, emphasizes that global warming directly and indirectly affects virtually every aspect of our lives, including clothing, food, and housing. She explains that it poses a significant threat to food security in the Middle East due to the decline in agricultural crop production caused by rising temperatures and fluctuating rainfall patterns. As a result, land becomes increasingly desertified, and the areas cultivated with crops that ensure food security diminish, especially those reliant on rain and semi-arid conditions. Additionally, the scarcity of fresh water suitable for drinking is exacerbated by the evaporation of surface freshwater resources.
Yassin told Muwatin that, unlike natural disasters, the residents of the region often do not fully grasp the multiple dangers of climate change and its impact on their lives. She explains that reduced rainfall leads to drought and famine, while excessive rainfall causes floods that devastate crops and infrastructure.
She also points out that the Gulf countries have recently experienced dust storms and thunderstorms accompanied by heavy floods and the recurrence of tropical cyclones, all of which result in significant human, material, and economic losses. These events cast a negative shadow over the region’s people and governments. Matters are further complicated by warnings that temperatures in some Gulf countries could exceed 60 degrees Celsius by the middle of this century.
Some Gulf countries are attempting to improve their environmental reputation by announcing reductions in carbon emissions and developing plans to decrease dependence on the oil economy. However, these declarations are not always reflected in their actual policies.
A research study published in mBio magazine 2019 revealed that rising temperatures can harm human health in various ways. There are indirect effects beyond the direct impacts, such as heart attacks, sunstroke, or high blood pressure. Mammals, including humans, maintain a body temperature higher than the ambient environment to defend against pathogens. Normally, pathogens cannot survive in the warm bodies of mammals, which typically reach 37 degrees Celsius. However, the gradual rise in environmental temperatures provides pathogens with additional opportunities to adapt and overcome the natural heat defenses of the human body.
People, Government, and Companies: A Shared Responsibility
When discussing Gulf inhabitants’ role in addressing the climate crisis, Adel emphasizes that farmers and environmental pioneers are crucial in adapting to climate change. He suggests that nature-based solutions tailored to specific geographical areas offer the best approach to managing the impacts of climate change. Regarding reducing carbon emissions, Adel advocates for project owners to adopt frameworks to achieve carbon neutrality, similar to what Qatar implemented during its bid to host the 2022 World Cup. For every emission, compensation programs were in place.
As for the role of governments and oil companies in reducing carbon emissions, Adel told Muwatin that governments must establish environmental legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and implement policies that ensure reductions across all sectors. He notes that the historical responsibility of oil companies varies and is governed by a global system. With the application of the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), it is essential for major and longstanding oil companies to take a leading role in assuming responsibility. In contrast, newer oil companies should be more conscientious than their predecessors.
Khaled Suleiman, an Iraqi environmental expert, offers a different perspective, arguing that it is challenging to discuss abandoning fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy, particularly in the current context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The global economy, industries, and human consumption patterns rely heavily on fossil energy sources. Therefore, it is difficult to envision global and national oil companies, particularly those in the oil-rich Gulf countries, transitioning from production to clean energy.
At the latest, the only solution is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Suleiman further told Muwatin that achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is the only viable solution. He explains that the vast amount of carbon already in the atmosphere is driving the Earth’s temperature up by 1.5 degrees Celsius, even if the world were to start reducing carbon emissions to zero today. He highlights the lack of a clear plan for oil companies to contribute to climate solutions, noting that much of the discourse is dominated by a media lobby rather than actionable strategies.
Suleiman also stresses that the issue extends beyond the Gulf countries’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It requires a global commitment, mandating all industrialized nations and major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions to adhere to the principles of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Moreover, there must be a global agreement with a definitive timeline for achieving zero carbon emissions.
Fossil Fuel Addiction is Killing the Planet
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged world leaders to take immediate and decisive action to phase out coal entirely and halt the expansion of oil and gas exploration. These measures are essential to keeping the global average temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Guterres stated, “We need to stop killing our planet, killing each other, and killing countries’ chances of recovery. Let us unite behind what can transform our world for the better and preserve world peace.” He called for a swift transition to renewable energy sources, green economies, job support, and a complete shift away from fossil fuels. Guterres emphasized that our addiction to fossil fuels is leading to the slow destruction of life and the planet.
