Energy Systems
After reviewing socio-economic and technological trends in energy systems of EMME, the report of the Energy Systems TF highlights gaps in knowledge and policy that hinder decarbonisation. It identifies three pillars that need immediate attention by governments in the region: Improving the knowledge base; mitigating growth in energy demand; and ensuring that energy needs are met with low-carbon technologies. Coordination actions like sharing and co-developing energy infrastructures and networks, facilitating technical exchanges and capacity-building activities, and conducting regional integrated assessments are essential elements towards decarbonisation. The European Union’s model, although not fully transferable to EMME countries, can serve as a good example of a determined and consistent approach towards global climate stabilization.
Considering that regional cooperation is essential, the report provides a policy toolkit for decarbonising energy systems, with a variety of options so that each country may choose the most relevant and most efficient for its own resources, conditions, and needs. The toolkit comprises more than thirty possible interventions across the entire spectrum of public policies: regulations, institutional reforms, removal of investment barriers, green fiscal measures, infrastructure investments, and information initiatives. Although some tools are more relevant for some countries while other policy instruments may be more suitable for others, common features apply: Satisfying a large portion of energy needs with zero-carbon electricity and heat; utilizing the region’s natural resources to provide low- and zero-carbon fuels like synthetic hydrocarbons and hydrogen; improving energy efficiency in industry, buildings, and transport; and aligning the economic and research priorities of the countries with the strategic vision to a low-carbon future.
The successful energy transition requires a holistic framework that addresses the systemic changes needed in our socio-economic structures. Such a framework would encompass enabling actions in a wide range of industrial, education, labour, social and financial policies.
Shifting global energy trends, geography and climate make it imperative for EMME countries to address their common future in a coordinated manner. Policymakers can combine the available international knowledge with regional resources to facilitate the transition to climate neutrality, which will improve the sustainability and resilience of all societies in the region.
(Click here to download the report in .pdf format)
Abstract from the Report of the Task Force on Energy Systems
Task Force
Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region are far off the trajectory required to stabilise the global climate. Being responsible for about threequarters of greenhouse gas emissions, the energy system has to bear most of the burden of the decarbonisation effort. In such a context, this report identifies three pillars that need immediate and simultaneous attention from governments of the region: improving the knowledge base, mitigating growth in energy demand and ensuring that energy needs are met with low-carbon technologies. Considering that regional cooperation is essential, the report provides a policy toolkit for decarbonising energy systems, with a menu of options from which each country can choose the most relevant for its own resources, conditions and needs. The toolkit includes policy instruments that will enable satisfying energy needs with zero-carbon electricity and heat, utilising the region’s resources to provide clean fuels like synthetic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, and improving energy efficiency.
With a vision of a low-carbon future, the successful energy transition requires a holistic framework that addresses the systemic changes needed in our socio-economic structures. Such a framework would encompass enabling actions under a wide range of industrial, education, labour, social and financial policies.
Energy Systems Task Force Management Board
Prof. Theodoros Zachariadis, The Cyprus Institute
Prof. Kamal Araj, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission
Dr. Rabia Ferroukhi, International Renewable Energy Agency
Cyprus Institute Liaison Scientist
Dr. Nestor Fylaktos
Members of the Task Force
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, Arava Institute, Israel
Dr. Mohammad A. Al-Ramadhan, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences,
Kuwait
Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies,
Bahrain
Prof. Derek Baker, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Prof. Manuel J Blanco, The Cyprus Institute, Cyprus
Prof. Steven Griffiths, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab
Emirates
Prof. Sameh Nada, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology
Prof. Holger Rogner, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria
Dr. Jan Steckel, Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change,
Germany
Dr. Christos Tourkolias, Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, Greece
Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, SVB Energy International, Washington, DC
Dr. Eric Williams, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia
Editorial Review and Assistance
Dr. Constantinos Taliotis (lead), Dr. Marios Karmellos, The Cyprus Institute
Bahjat Aulimat, Jordan Nuclear Power Company
Dr. Arslan Khalid, Gerardo Escamilla,Diala Hawila, Costanza Strinati,International
Renewable Energy Agency
József Kádár, Arava Institute, Israel
