Author Archives: Rafael Widmer

About Rafael Widmer

Rafael Widmer is Project Associate at the World Resources Forum, a Multi-Stakeholder Platform for knowledge exchange on resources efficiency, circular economy and recycling. He is a graduate student at Sciences Po Paris and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) majoring in Environmental Policy and International Affairs & Governance with a regional concentration on the Middle East. Rafael is currently writing his thesis about eco-entrepreneurship in MENA countries. He is passionate about developing solutions to fulfill sustainability potential in the Middle East.

إعادة تدوير النفايات اإلكترونية في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي

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تزايد كمية النفايات الإلكترونية يثير مزيدا من الاهتمام على جدول الأعمال العالمي .في عام 2017، يتوقع أن يصل إنتاج النفايات الإلكترونية إلى 48 مليون طن في جميع أنحاء العالم. أكبر المساهمين في هذا الحجم هي دول متقدمة للغاية، مع المراكز الثلاثة الأولى من هذا الترتيب غير المشرف من نصيب النرويج وسويسرا وأيسلندا. ففي النرويج، ينتج كل ساكن 28.3 كيلوغراما من النفايات الإلكترونية كل عام. أما دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي في هذا الترتيب فهي ليست بعيدة عن الدول العشر الأولى، حيث تنتج كل من الكويت والإمارات العربية المتحدة 17.2 كيلوغرام من النفايات الإلكترونية للفرد سنويا. وتنتج المملكة العربية السعودية ،بتعدادها السكاني … Continue reading →

The Power of Cities to Shape a Greener Future

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The current rate of urbanization is one of the global megatrends, which will manifest itself in many of the challenges faced in the upcoming decades. UN reports estimate that nearly 70% of the world’s population will be urban by 2050. The way in which cities deal with this rapid rate of urbanization will determine whether international objectives such as Sustainable Development Goal 11, aimed at making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, will be achieved. Urbanization has further impacts on many more of the goals defined in the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Achieving these goals … Continue reading →

Circular Economy in GCC: Potential, Prospects and Challenges

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The concept of a circular economy has been gaining a lot of momentum on the agenda of many countries in recent years. In its core, it describes an economic model which opposes the current so-called linear economy, where output is produced, used and disposed at the end of its lifespan. In contrast, circular economy advocates suggest a model in which raw materials used during the life cycle of a good are completely reintegrated into the production process. Circular economy, therefore, means more than just to recycle your old appliances, but includes considerations about how to redefine products and services in … Continue reading →

Recycling of E-Waste in GCC: Challenges and Opportunities

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The growing amount of e-waste is gaining more and more attention on the global agenda. In 2017, e-waste production is expected to reach up to 48 million metric tons worldwide. The biggest contributors to this volume are highly developed nations, with the top three places of this inglorious ranking going to Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. In Norway, each inhabitant produces a massive 28.3 kg of e-waste every year. Not far behind the top ten of this ranking lie GCC member states, with both Kuwait and UAE producing each 17.2 kg e-waste per capita per year. Saudi Arabia with its many … Continue reading →