Managing Food Waste at a Global Scale: Technologies and Strategies Transforming Organic Waste into Resources

By | | , ,
1 Comment

One-fifth of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, amounting to one billion meals a day and costing the global economy roughly US$1 trillion. These statistics give us valuable insight into the food waste crisis, demonstrating the importance of reducing waste to achieve greater sustainability and global food security.

From turning food waste to energy to implementing circular economy frameworks, there are different approaches that businesses and governments can implement to reduce dependence on landfills. Keep reading to learn about the technologies and strategies driving this change.

a bin overflowing with food scraps

Key Technologies Driving Food Waste Transformation

New technologies are constantly emerging. It should come as no surprise, then, that modern tools and solutions are transforming traditional waste management processes.

Let’s take a look at how anaerobic digestion, composting innovations, and artificial intelligence (AI) are key solutions for reducing food waste.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process in which bacteria break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment. While this process occurs naturally in environments like marshes and swamps, it can also be carried out on a large scale using enclosed vessels called anaerobic digesters.

This process produces biogas, a renewable energy source, and digestate, a nutrient-rich material that can be used as fertilizer. The environmental benefits of anaerobic digestion include diverting waste from landfills, generating renewable energy, improving soil health, and reducing methane emissions.

Composting Innovations

Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen. In addition to reducing waste, composting decreases methane emissions from landfills, improves plant health, and supports sustainable agriculture.

While traditional systems don’t require technology, innovations in composting technology help turn organic waste into compost on a much larger scale.

compost made from food waste

Automated composting systems monitor and manage factors like temperature and microbial activity to accelerate decomposition. In-vessel composting is another useful innovation, using technology and a controlled environment to enhance the composting process for commercial or community waste.

AI-Powered Technology

AI optimizes a range of processes across the supply chain, helping reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Here are 3 ways companies are using AI today:

  • Smart bins and sensors: Companies use AI-powered bins and sensors to identify patterns, gain real-time insights into how waste is generated, optimize collection schedules, and reduce sorting errors—all of which enhance overall waste management.
  • Predictive analytics: Grocery stores, restaurants, and manufacturers use predictive analytics to improve demand forecasting, optimize inventory, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
  • Computer vision for automated sorting: AI-powered image recognition systems help identify food waste, separate edible from non-edible items, and improve sorting accuracy in real time, allowing companies to recover more usable materials and reduce overall waste.

Strategic Approaches for Managing Food Waste

In addition to adopting innovative technology, there are different strategies that can be implemented on a global scale to reduce waste.

Circular Economy Frameworks

The goal of a circular economy is to keep products and materials in circulation for as long as possible. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation recognizes three key principles of a circular economy: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials at their highest value, and regenerating nature.

There are many ways a circular economy can be put into practice. For instance, a company may redesign its products using sustainable materials and implement a recycling program to increase resource efficiency. A local government, on the other hand, may invest in infrastructure to support circular activities, such as an anaerobic digestion facility.

Policy and Regulatory Initiatives

Food waste regulations play a critical role in reducing waste. Various initiatives help increase awareness and minimize waste, such as extended producer responsibility, landfill taxes, organic waste bans, incentives for food waste-to-energy initiatives, and more.

While existing regulations help raise awareness of the food waste crisis, additional initiatives are needed to drive lasting, large-scale change.

Increased Public Awareness

Unfortunately, there’s still a widespread lack of knowledge about the food waste crisis. While many people want to support sustainability initiatives, they often lack the tools or awareness needed to make meaningful changes.

Educational campaigns and local initiatives are key to increasing awareness and getting more people involved. For instance, curbside composting programs help households divert food from landfills, while an increase in local infrastructure helps companies manage waste more effectively.

Benefits of Enhanced Food Waste Management

The technologies and strategies discussed above can help countries and companies around the world reduce food waste. Why is this important?

The benefits can be broken down into three main categories:

  • Environmental: Reducing food waste has an array of environmental benefits. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to conserving natural resources and minimizing pollution, strategies like composting and adopting a circular economy contribute to a more sustainable world.
  • Economic: As mentioned, food loss and waste cost the global economy an estimated USD 1 trillion each year. These losses affect households and companies alike, meaning those that implement waste-reduction strategies can significantly minimize the financial impact. Even more, companies have the opportunity to create new revenue streams by turning waste into useful resources like energy, compost, and animal feed.
  • Social: An estimated 673 million people faced hunger in 2024. At the same time, one billion meals are wasted every single day. By reducing waste through initiatives like donation programs, you can ensure surplus food goes to those in need, supporting communities and contributing to a more sustainable food system.

Final Thoughts

Food waste is a multifaceted issue. Every country has its own challenges, infrastructure requirements, and policies leading these efforts.

When combined with the unique obstacles faced by companies across the supply chain, it becomes clear why food waste reduction remains such a complex challenge. For that reason, it’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; every government, company, and household must evaluate their specific challenges and goals and create a strategy that works for them.

Whether your household is embracing an AI-powered meal planning app to cut down on waste or your company is partnering with a waste management provider to support an anaerobic digestion project, every effort matters.

So ask yourself: Can emerging technologies help you reduce waste? How might implementing a circular economy framework benefit you?

Beyond the Surface: How Sustainable Pest Control Fits into Green Home Design

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

We talk a lot about energy bills, daylighting, and indoor air quality, but a truly green home should also keep uninvited creatures at bay. The chemicals we spray after an infestation undo many of the environmental wins we fought for. So the real trick is to plan, build, and keep homes in ways pests just can’t hang out. Down below, we’re going to dig into how smart, sustainable pest control works hand-in-hand with green design and keeping your home in good shape for the long haul.

a pest control professional making a home pest-free

Why Sustainable Pest Control Belongs in the Blueprint

Traditional pest management is reactive: see a bug, reach for a can. Forward-thinking architects flip the script by “designing pests out.” Pests are more than a nuisance; mites, cockroaches, and rodents trigger allergies, contaminate food, and damage insulation. A single gram of mattress dust can shelter thousands of mites, and recognizing dust mite bites underscores why prevention beats cure.

A growing body of integrated pest management (IPM) research shows that homes with well-sealed envelopes, balanced ventilation, and smart material choices see up to 90 percent fewer infestations over ten years compared with conventional builds. In Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City—one of the region’s flagship eco-districts—developers used airtight façades, insect-screened vents, and borate-treated cellulose insulation. 5-year follow-ups reported negligible termite activity and no need for broad-spectrum insecticides, all while the neighborhood achieved a 40 percent cut in energy demand.

(For a deeper dive into Masdar’s holistic design strategy, see EcoMENA’s primer on green building features.)

Designing a Pest-Resistant Envelope

Seal without suffocating

Continuous air-sealing around sill plates, pipe penetrations, and attic hatches blocks insects as effectively as it blocks drafts. Low-VOC, elastomeric sealants remain flexible through the Gulf’s 50 °C summers and Levantine winters, preventing hairline cracks that morph into ant highways.

Ventilate just enough

Balanced heat-recovery or energy-recovery ventilation (HRV/ERV) keeps relative humidity below the 60 percent that silverfish, mold spores, and mites adore. Crucially, these systems avoid the negative pressure that can suck pests in through gaps when exhaust fans run alone.

Choose materials that fight back

Borate-treated cellulose, recycled-plastic composite lumber, and steel mesh weep-hole inserts deter termites, carpenter ants, and rodents without compromising indoor air quality. In Jordan’s award-winning “EcoHouse,” these measures extended façade maintenance intervals from five to nine years while keeping pesticide applications at zero—a saving of roughly USD 1,400 over the life of the mortgage.

(Related reading: explore EcoMENA’s look at green building trends in the Middle East to see how such envelopes are scaling region-wide.)

Outdoor Spaces That Double as Pest Barriers

A garden can be an oasis—or a mosquito nursery. Landscape with a permaculture mind-set so the yard becomes an extension of the building’s pest shield. Native aromatic plants such as rosemary, basil, and marigold repel insects while thriving on sparse irrigation. Perimeter hardscapes should slope two percent away from walls; dry foundations are termite-unfriendly. In Riyadh’s restored Wadi Hanifa wetlands, planners added gravel “dry zones” beside paths, starving rodents of cover and cutting pesticide use in adjacent neighborhoods by a reported 60 percent.

Irrigation timing matters too. Drip systems scheduled for dawn reduce standing water by midday, thwarting mosquito larvae and curbside weed growth. Compost, an ecological win indoors, can lure flies if left uncovered; sealed bin tops and twice-monthly turning keep the microbiome aerobic and pest-averse.

Maintenance Habits That Sustain the Design

Green detailing only works if homeowners stay committed. Build these tasks into a quarterly rhythm:

  • Inspect high-risk entry points—door sweeps, window screens, weep holes—and reseal any tear or gap larger than two millimeters.
  • Manage organic waste wisely by emptying kitchen scrap buckets daily and keeping compost bins latched; pests thrive on overlooked food sources.
  • Clean with low-impact products so beneficial micro-organisms outcompete pest microbes; harsh bleach can create resistant “superbugs” and drive insects deeper into walls.

For more hands-on pointers, skim EcoMENA’s practical guide to natural pest prevention tips.

an eco-friendly home

When Chemical Intervention is Unavoidable

Even the best design occasionally meets a determined invader. The goal then is precision over volume. Gel baits for cockroaches stay confined to crevices, minimizing airborne residues. Insect growth regulators interrupt breeding cycles without harming pollinators. As the World Health Organization’s IPM framework explains, treatments should begin only when pest populations cross a documented health or structural threshold, not at the first flutter of wings. This threshold-based approach typically halves pesticide use versus calendar spraying while preserving indoor environmental quality.

Conclusion: Sustainable Pest Control is Green Design

A home’s environmental performance is measured not just in kilowatt-hours saved but in the silence of pest-free nights. By weaving sustainable pest control into every layer—from airtight envelopes to climate-wise landscaping and vigilant upkeep—residents protect their health, preserve local biodiversity, and future-proof their investment. The planet breathes easier, the toolbox stays chemical-light, and comfort is never compromised. Build it right, tend it wisely, and the pests will look elsewhere.

How Can Mediterranean Countries Resolve Energy Crisis in Europe

By | | , ,
1 Comment

Europe has been desperately trying to find alternative sources of energy to replace Russian gas. American Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports used today, is only a temporary solution and not a long-term one, due to its high costs and transport limitations. However, Algeria, Israel, Egypt, and possibly other transit nations like Libya and Turkey in the future can all contribute significantly to the continent’s increased energy demands. In the Eastern Mediterranean significant amounts of natural gas have recently been discovered recently and could increase gas collaborations with Europe.

European partnership with Mediterranean energy producers

Algeria increased its pipeline supplies to Europe by over 10% on available export routes in the first ten months of this year and is considered as a major gas supplier. Since 1996, Spain has purchased gas from Algeria through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, which passes through Morocco, and since 2011, it has done so through the undersea Medgaz pipeline. Nevertheless, the dispute between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Sahara, which Morocco claims as its territory while Algeria supports the Polisario Front calling for Sahrawi independence, has consistently impacted relations between Madrid and Algiers, especially the two nations’ energy commerce.

Tensions have progressively gotten worse over the last two years and led Algeria to end gas exports via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline and therefore cut off supplies to Morocco, planning instead to expand the capacity of the Medgaz pipeline[1].

Madrid, which had previously maintained that the UN should decide the status of the area, supported Rabat’s proposal to maintain sovereignty over the Western Sahara while providing it independence to manage its own internal affairs. The Algerian government has repeatedly warned Spain not to re-export gas it receives from Algeria to Morocco[2], which has struggled to make up for shortages caused by the termination of flows via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline and Algerian ambassador in Madrid has been withdrawn following these events.

Moreover, the agreement on gas between the EU-Israel-Egypt[3] comes as European politicians are more concerned about Egypt’s economic stability. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has severely impacted Egypt, especially in terms of food security, and the Egyptian government is working to contain what may become a growing economic disaster. While macroeconomic growth rates have been largely positive, pressure is growing due to inflation and skyrocketing food and energy costs.

Recurring political unrest in Egypt is a nightmare scenario for many European governments, who have been scarred by the experience of the unrest that engulfed the Middle East and North Africa in the wake of the Arab Uprisings in 2010 and 2011. In particular, the migration crisis that was precipitated and made worse by the violent conflicts in Syria and Lebanon.

All in all, while Europe is attempting to diversify energy imports too rapidly, new partnerships with Mediterranean Energy producers must be recognized for their geopolitical complexity and instability that could jeopardize the energy security of future strategies.

[1] https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/opinion/stability-in-the-mediterranean-region-will-bring-stability-to-europe/

[2] https://energynews.pro/en/spain-algeria-concerns-about-gas-relations/

[3] https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2022-08-12/israels-mediterranean-gas-potential-gas-export-to-europe-and

How Asia Pulp & Paper Adopts CDP Carbon Disclosure Standards

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

The pulp and paper industry is one that has been deeply impacted by the rise of the eco-conscious consumer. Whether a business produces disposable, reusable, or repurposable paper products, many pulp and paper companies continue to be placed under further scrutiny by consumers. Issues such as resource depletion and carbon emissions are common critiques of the industry, regardless of how useful or necessary their products may be.

At the same time, many pulp and paper companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas have proactively moved towards comprehensively integrating sustainability outcomes into their overall operational strategy.

Asia Pulp and Paper CDP Carbon Disclosure

Seeking out awards and standards to integrate into your company’s sustainability strategy is the first step to officiating your business’ efforts, establishing trust with the consumer base, and providing transparency to stakeholders. The inclusion of reliable third-party standards or guidelines into long-term sustainability strategies such as Asia Pulp & Paper’s Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030 not only provides an external source for validating the company’s claims, but also reassures skeptical consumers.

There is no shortage of internationally-recognised charities, non-profit organisations, and other organisations that provide strict standards that pulp and paper companies can integrate into their sustainability strategies. One such organisation is CDP, a not-for-profit charity that runs global disclosure and corporate environmental reporting systems dedicated to managing environmental impacts.

What is CDP?

Formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, CDP is an international non-profit organisation that originally focused on encouraging individual companies to disclose their environmental impact and carbon emissions.

Today the organisation helps investors, businesses, cities, and governments evaluate their environmental impact and connects them to accredited solutions providers to take immediate action and create a sustainable economy.

CDP has three key areas of focus: Water Security, Forests, and Climate Change. Each of these categories has further criteria against which participating member companies are assessed and graded. Put together, this results in an overall score that can be a measure of a company’s environmental consciousness, advanced sustainability governance, and outspoken leadership in addressing climate change.

In its annual ranking process, CDP also rewards businesses that provide high-quality disclosure with a place on the so-called “A-list”.

Why should pulp and paper companies disclose with CDP?

CDP disclosure has various benefits for companies in any industry or sector. Compared to other certifications that have a complex and costly accreditation process, CDP primarily relies on audited self-reporting in line with its goals to make risk management and corporate environmental reporting a normative part of global business culture.

Businesses can easily participate in CDP membership provided they are willing to collect their own data and present it for a report – which can be seamless for a company that has already integrated CDP standards into its sustainability reporting.

Pulp and paper companies, in particular, stand to benefit from carbon disclosure and other environmental measures due to the resource-intensive nature of their industry. Under its “Forest” area of focus, CDP specifically recognises the timber industry (including pulp and paper companies) as one of the industries that drives deforestation and forest degradation globally.

To address this, CDP has introduced various critical steps and commitments that pulp and paper companies can adopt to improve the sustainability of their supply chains. This includes public commitments to sustainable development, traceability targets related to larger environmental commitments, and enforcing monitoring systems to assess and assure the company’s compliance.

CDP disclosure can also benefit pulp and paper companies in the following ways:

1. Greater Stakeholder Transparency

Environmental disclosure is highly sought for and in constant demand in today’s eco-conscious economy. Such demands are coming not just from consumers but investors and stakeholders at all levels.

CDP themselves report that 680+ investors with over US$130 trillion in assets and 200+ large purchasers with over US$5.5 trillion in annual procurement expenditure are now looking to CPD participating businesses as a benchmark for transparency and long-term sustainability.

Today’s investors understand the strong link between longevity and environmental sustainability; they want to invest in viable long-term business which, in the context of climate change and emerging sustainability regulations, is only possible with vetted sustainable businesses.

Participating in CDP disclosure standards isn’t just a moral or ethical imperative for companies anymore, but can have a positive impact on their business by improving their standing with stakeholders.

Businesses in the pulp and paper industry will benefit from the transparency that CDP offers when it comes to selling shares and corporate investment. This grading demonstrates a business’ willingness to report data on sensitive topics, and provides a benchmark against which concerned parties can measure progress in sustainability. Asia Pulp and Paper’s Sustainability Report 2020 is an example of self-reporting that other pulp and paper companies can look towards when crafting their own disclosure processes.

2. Improved Brand Reputation and Management

Brand reputation is one of the most important factors when it comes to consumer relations. Brands that destroy trust with their customers through superficial commitments to sustainable development or quality-control shortcuts could also suffer financially as sales decrease alongside their brand reputation.

Pulp and paper companies remain vulnerable to blows to their brand reputation in the context of increased consumer scrutiny, especially as more companies specialising in sustainable alternatives emerge onto the market. The industry can overcome concerning press coverage and the public’s concern around their resource usage by taking responsibility for the environmental impact of their enterprises, choosing transparency, and committing to third-party assessment by external international authorities such as CDP.

3. Keeping Pace with Regulation Standards

Climate change, human rights, and sustainable resource management are now global concerns that businesses of all sizes will need to address in order to stay afloat. State and federal governments are under increased pressure from consumer groups to set and achieve international sustainability goals, which means increased regulations for businesses operating in areas of concern.

sustainability goals of APP Sinar Mas

In a world in which mandatory corporate environmental reporting and disclosure is gaining momentum, disclosing through CDP enables companies to meet reporting rules in multiple regions. It also provides an advantage over the local competition; by adjusting sustainability standards ahead of government regulations, pulp and paper companies following CDP’s standards have fewer adjustments to make if reporting becomes mandatory. This also allows organisations greater flexibility in redirecting their resources to more salient areas in line with larger policy changes.

4. Long-term Benchmarks of Success

Not all businesses are going to start CDP reporting with an A+ grade; sustainable businesses don’t grow overnight, and committing to a long-term sustainable development strategy takes ample time, resources, and effort at every level of an organisation.

Because progress can happen so slowly, it’s easy to lose sight of how far the business has come on a YoY basis. This is where CDP reporting can come in to offer third-party insight into a business’ sustainability progress over time, as well as accreditation in recognition of improved sustainability measures.

Asia Pulp and Paper has been transparent in its improvement in CDP grades across the years, beginning with an A- in supplier engagement and B scores in climate change and forest in 2020, and increasing to Asia Pulp & Paper receiving A- grading in CDP’s Forest category in 2021.

The organisation’s earlier efforts at implementing sustainability into its overall strategy have also been recognised. The case study attributes the organisation’s success to various mechanisms within its Forest Conservation Policy including a sustainable and responsible forestry management plan, bottom-up consultations with stakeholders, and external community-focused projects such as the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) programme.

This is an example of an organisation that has made tremendous efforts towards sustainability across multiple aspects of its organisational strategy, and is committed to finetuning its measures to improve its overall grading over time.

media and sustainable development

Pursuing Sustainable Development through CDP Disclosure

The CDP framework provides a point of reference for both businesses and consumers to assess an organisation’s environmental commitments, and can help all parties involved make better decisions about how resources are used as part of the production process.

Companies in the pulp and paper industry need to normalise corporate environmental reporting, carbon disclosure statements, and external auditing if they want to survive the new era of sustainability legislation and eco-conscious consumers and stakeholders. Businesses can also look towards projects by organisations that have already embraced CDP disclosure (such as Asia Pulp and Paper) as a blueprint for what steps to take next – whether or not these organisations have made it onto CDP’s A-List yet.

The Menace of Landfills in Kuwait

By | |
5 Comments

Kuwait, being one of the richest countries, is among the highest per capita waste generators in the world. Each year more than 2 million tons of solid waste in generated in the tiny Arab nation. High standards of living and rapid economic growth has been a major factor behind very high per capita waste generation of 1.4 to 1.5 kg per day.

The prevalent solid waste disposal method in Kuwait is landfill burial. Despite being a small country, Kuwait has astonishingly high number of landfills. There are 18 landfills, of which 14 sites are closed and 4 sites are still in operation. These landfills act as dumpsites, rather than engineered landfills. Infact, landfill sites in Kuwait are notorious for causing severe public health and environmental issues.

Besides piling up huge amounts of garbage, landfill sites generate huge amount of toxic gases (methane, carbon dioxide etc) and plagued by spontaneous fires. Due to fast paced urban development, residential areas have expanded to the edges of landfill sites thus causing grave danger to public health.

Landfills in Kuwait

The total land area of Kuwait is around 17,820 sq. km, out of which more than 18 sq. km is occupied by landfills. Area of the landfill sites ranges from tens to hundreds of hectares with waste deposition depth varying from 3 to 30 meters. All kind of wastes, including municipal wastes, food wastes, industrial wastes, construction and demolition debris etc are dumped at these sites. Infact, about 90 percent of the domestic waste is sent to landfills which imply that more landfills will be required to tackle rapidly increasing volumes of solid wastes.

Most of the landfill sites have been closed for more than 20 years due to operational problems and proximity to new residential, commercial and industrial areas. These sites include Sulaibiyah, Kabed, Al‐Qurain, Shuaiba, Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, West Yarmouk, AI Wafra among others. Migration of leachate beyond landfill site boundaries is a frequent problem noticed across Kuwait. Groundwater contamination has emerged as a serious problem because groundwater occurs at shallow depths throughout the country.

The major landfill sites operated by municipality for solid waste disposal are Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, Sulaibiyah and Al-Qurain. The Qurain landfill, with area of 1 sq. km, was used for dumping of municipal solid waste and construction materials from 1975 until 1985 with total volume of dumped waste being 5 million m3.

The Sulaibiyah landfill site received more than 500 tons of waste per day from 1980 to 2000 with area spanning 3 sq. km. Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, largest landfill site in Kuwait with area exceeding 6 sq. km, received 2500 tons per day of household and industrial waste between 1970 and 1993. Around 20 million m3 of wastes was dumped in this facility during its operational period.

Over the years, most of the dumpsites in Kuwait have been surrounded by residential and commercial areas due to urban development over the years. Uncontrolled dumpsites were managed by poorly-trained staff resulting in transformation of dumpsites in breeding grounds for pathogens, toxic gases and spontaneous fires.

Most of the landfill sites have been forced to close, much before achieving their capacities, because of improper disposal methods and concerns related to public health and environment. Due to fast-paced industrial development and urban expansion, some of the landfills are located on the edges of residential, as is the case of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Al-Qurain sites, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

PPP = Permanent Plastic Problem

By | | ,
Leave a comment

The 3P’s of plastic – PPP – first is that the item or object is plastic. The second concern is that plastic is permanent. Not permanently in use, but after is use it has a very long life-span before it breaks down totally. And that leads to the third, and ultimate issue, that plastic becomes a problem.

The issues around plastic are multi-facetted, complex and very diverse. It depends on the composition of the raw materials, how the materials are combined and made into the plastic product. Then it becomes an issue in how the product or object is disposed of. The story then becomes very long in terms of how it breaks down, where it breaks down and what is breaks down into.

permanent plastic problem

Carbon footprint is heard so frequently these days in the context of climate change and global warming. The carbon footprint associated with the production of plastic is huge. Plastic production consumes large quantities of oil, and/or natural gas and energy to power the whole series of production processes. A baseline to start with is that in the production of just 1kg of plastic produces 6kn of CO2. The plastic production process also requires a large quantity of usable, clean water.

There is copious research in plastics, microplastics, accumulation of microplastics in our food chains which translates to our ecosystems in which we live. There are tonnes and tonnes of plastics in our oceans. Figures currently estimated at 8 million tonnes of plastics end up in our oceans. This happens so simply because we are a throw-away society. Instead of disposing correctly or recycling, people literally throw their plastic waste around them. In gutters, streams, alleyways, on the road. Other plastic waste may be carried by wind or washed away by rainwater and overland flow. It may come from wash off from landfills, improper storage and illegal dumping. This can be summed up in one word: trash.

Some plastic is recycled. Although recycling plastic is not a straight-forward and easy option. Different types or composition of plastics require different recycling methods. Unfortunately, only about 9% pf the global plastics are recycled. This could be summed up as sheer apathy.

According to numerous fishery studies and research projects, more and more fish are ingesting microplastics. This means that microplastics are entering our food chains and food webs. Microplastics are minute, tiny, miniscule pieces of plastic.  Still plastic. One needs to realise that we are part of the food ecosystem, in fact we are generally placed at the top of the food web.

As the microplastics pass through the various food chains, there is a process called bioaccumulation taking place. The actual accumulation increases through the food chains. As one moves up the chain, from proto- and zoo-plankton, through the lower level consumers, with the smaller fishes consumed by the larger fishes, their predators, the level of microplastics keeps increasing. And so yes, it is a documented fact that humans are now consuming fish with significant levels of microplastics in the tissues of the fish.

plastic problem

It is estimated  that humans are consuming a rather frightening amount of microplastics in the order of 40,000 pieces of plastic per week. A crude calculation of this amount of microplastic would be equivalent to the size of a credit card. This could be summed up as unpalatable.

Why is there such a demand for plastics you may be wondering. First and foremost, liquids both drinking liquids but also cleaning and lubricant liquids are containerised in plastics.  But around 40% of plastics are used in packaging. Filler plastics, protective wrappings, individual packaging, tapes and straps. The list of uses seems endless. Is it that necessary. This could be summed up as waste.

sustainable-packaging

What are the estimates of global plastic waste per annum. Hold on to your hats, Even take a seat. People on our planet, all 8 billion of us, produce around 300 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Yes, its hard to visualize to truly appreciate these figures. Let us put into a visual context, that is like a full load of trash from a dump truck being emptied into the ocean every minute of every hour of every day for one whole year. No wonder sea level is rising!

No plastic is not the cause of sea level rise. But our plastic waste ending up in our oceans is a real and alarming fact. Everyone is responsible because we all use plastic in some form or other. Unless you are a 100 and naturalist, you are contributing to this waste accumulation on our planet, earth.

We are all accountable. So what will be your next move?

Conquer Litter for a Sustainable Future

By | | , ,
2 Comments

Littering is a common phenomenon both in urban and rural areas. Streets, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and highways are mostly covered with food wrappers, soft drink and water bottles, plastic bags, handbills, cigarette butts, tissues, papers etc.

litter on the highway

Litter has the potential to cause harm to human health, safety, public welfare as well as the environment. Littering can be a fire hazard and it attracts pests and rodents. Litter also cause accidents on roads as drivers avoid litter on road. Litter also harm plants, vegetation and natural areas. The temptation to ‘litter’ is usually motivated by disrespect to the law and its enforcement as well as ignorance and arrogance in our attitude, thinking that municipalities will clean our mess.

There are several factors that may impact on littering behaviour including inconvenience and laziness, absence of ownership or pride for the area, feeling that someone else will pick it up, number, placement and appearance of litter bins at or near the site, absence of realistic penalties, enforcement of legislation, lack of social pressure and lack of knowledge of the environmental impacts of littering.

Thus, dumping and littering whether on main roads or neighborhoods, on pavements or alleys, at beaches or wasteland should be prohibited. Also, dumping anything that may obstruct traffic or prevent people from movement should be unlawful whether it is garden waste, construction waste, furniture, vehicles or any other materials.

no littering signage

Conquering Litter

Litter can be conquered. People can make a difference. It is our responsibility to clean up the litter in an ‘earth-friendly manner.’ Clean communities have a better chance of attracting new businesses, residents and tourists. There is no reason for any of us to litter because we can always find a litter bin to throw the trash away.

Let us set an example for others, especially children, by not littering and by carrying a litter bag in our vehicle, securely covering trash containers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter, when visiting parks and recreation areas make sure to leave the area clean for the next person to enjoy and restricting the distribution and disposal of handbills.

5 Rules to Become a Zero-Waste College Student

By | | , ,
2 Comments

Are you a college student who is trying to give back to the environment by going zero? Are you looking for tips on how to go waste-free? Well, you are in the right place. We will show you some ways with the help of which you can achieve a zero-waste lifestyle and low waste living.

We begin by saying, Congratulations. It is highly appreciated that you are trying to play your part in the betterment of the world at such a tender age. Let’s look at a few ways that will help you answer the question of how to go waste-free and that you can follow to have a very low impact on the environment during your 4-year stay at college.

1. Take part in university green activities

You may not know this, but several universities and colleges have a community garden, a compost system, or both of them. All you need to do is find out where it is in your college. A few colleges also have a kitchen compost. Instead of throwing your food scraps in the trash, you can place them in the college’s compost.

Several universities have a gardening club. You can join the gardening club, and use recyclable resources as pots and decorations. You can plant seeds in eggshells, and can use various other items as pots.

If you have searched and your college doesn’t have any of this, then you can take the initiative and start one yourself.

2. Get used textbooks

Another thing that you can do when you are thinking about how to go waste-free to get old textbooks. You are going to be studying new courses every semester. This means that you will have to buy textbooks every 6 months.

Not only are they expensive, but they are also seldom worth the cost since you are hardly ever going to use once the semester is over, except in a select few cases.

textbooks-reuse

Reuse of textbooks will not only help in environmental conservation but also help in education of children in less-privileged countries.

Therefore, it is a good idea to buy used books. Contact your seniors, and see if they have the books you need. You can go to the college library and get the books issued to you for the semester. With the advent of technology, most of the textbooks are available in their soft form online.

You can buy papers online for college and download the soft form of books instead of buying physical books to adopt a zero-waste living style and start a low waste living. You can read the world news on various blogs and forums online instead of physically buying one. There are various blogs online that help college students with several study-related issues, such as how to start a research paper and where to find the best material online.

3. Use reusable things

The best way to start low waste living is to start using reusable items. You can begin by using a plastic or glass water bottle. It is a very simple yet important step. You will not only contribute to nature, but you will also be saving yourself money by not buying a water bottle whenever you feel thirsty. A pretty deal, right? Don’t buy one-time use items, even things such as disposable plates for your dorm kitchen.

4. Buy durable school supplies

It can be pretty exciting and fun to shop for new things when school starts. However, don’t let the excitement cause you to overspend. Look for more durable and sustainable things. Use your old things, such as rulers, folders, binders, scissors, to begin your zero waste living.

If you have no choice but to buy new things, make sure that you buy things that have been made out of sustainable materials or recycled materials. Moreover, you can use your laptops to take notes instead of notebooks. If you can’t entirely stop using notebooks, then reduce the number of notebooks you use at least.

When you write research papers and articles, you do a lot of research work and use up plenty of paper. Don’t waste resources and buy college papers online. To start your zero waste living, buy college paper from the best and cheap sites. Don’t buy paper for college physically.

5. Use college transport

Most colleges and universities provide transportation facilities to their students. Instead of coming to college via taxis, or on your vehicle, make use of this facility and reduce your carbon footprint. You can walk to the campus, or ride a bicycle.

Conclusion

Earth is our home, and instead of destroying it or contributing towards its destruction, we should look for ways in which we can give back to it. Adopting zero waste living not only helps you reduce your carbon footprint, but it also helps you save money, which as a college student, you are going to be short of.

You need to remember that every step counts, no matter how small it is. Minute things such as using reusable straws and turning the tap off as you brush your teeth have a bigger impact than you’d think they’d have.

Here’s to going green, people!

Lifestyle Changes That Can Protect The Future Of Our Planet

By | | ,
1 Comment

We are all more than aware of the global environmental situation that seems to be becoming increasingly worse as time goes and while many homeowners would love to advocate for the environment and work towards making a change, not everyone is entirely certain as to which lifestyle changes would make any difference at all. However, if more people were aware that they could save thousands of gallons of water per year and reduce the consumption of power, perhaps more people would be making an active effort to fight climate change and the destruction of our planet.

green-living

If you are hoping to make a difference that will positively impact the environment, you should consider the following lifestyle changes to help the environment.

1. Use Renewable Energy

The use of renewable energy is still a relatively new concept and while some consider renewable energy to be a costly investment, the initial spend will save you a significant fortune in the long run. What’s more, you will also be making a massively positive impact on the environment, which means you will be saving the planet and your pocket at the same time.

There are several ways that you can use renewable energy, such as solar panels for home, solar-powered water heaters, wind turbines for larger properties, and even hydro-power depending on your region and the location of your property. Choosing the best solar panels for harnessing renewable energy can essentially cut your power bill completely.

2. Getting Around

Even though it has been a common goal for the past several decades to purchase a car and travel in comfort, younger generations have noted just how backwards the goal is. Rather than saving to purchase a luxury vehicle, you should be considering methods of transportation that will not harm our environment. While you could consider biking to work, those who do not have to travel too far could also consider walking.

If walking or biking is simply not a realistic solution, you could consider travelling with others on your way to effectively reduce carbon emissions as there will essentially be fewer vehicles on the roads if more people travelled together when possible. Alternatively, investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle would also be a fantastic choice that will help protect the future of our planet.

3. Reduce Water Usage

From time to time, most homeowners have experienced water restrictions and cuts during maintenance and other issues. However, rather than degrading the short changes to your day, it would be wise to consider how little water your household is using during restrictions as you could ultimately continue and create a routine in which using water sparingly eventually becomes a habit.

Reducing your water consumption each day will ultimately help save thousands of gallons per year. Therefore, even small changes to your lifestyle will make an impact in a positive way.

Bottom Line

Reducing water consumption, switching to renewable energy, and changing your method of travelling can make a difference to the future of our environment and when considering that these changes will also save you a small fortune, you and the planet will benefit from your decisions. Sustainability and minimalism will save you money and save the planet at the same time.

إستخراج مياه الصرف الصحي: تغيير النظم في المدن شحيحة المياه

By | | ,
Leave a comment

في المناطق ذات النمو السكاني المتسارع، فإن الاستدامة تعتبر مُلّحة ومُهمة لإن هذه المناطق تكون أكثر عرضة لندرة المياه. يُعرّض مناخ الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا الحار والجاف هذه المدن للخطر. وبالرغم من ذلك، تنتج مدن هذه المنطقة – التي تعاني من ندرة المياه – كميات هائلة من مياه الصرف الصحي التي يمكن معالجتها لتلبية احتياجاتها المائية.

wastewater utilization

ما المقصود باستخراج (تعدين) المجاري؟

استخراج مياه الصرف الصحي (المجاري) هو عملية تجميع هذه المياه ومعالجتها لإزالة جميع الملوثات وفصل المواد الكيميائية لإعادة استخدامها. وبالعادة فإنه يتم الحصول عليها ومعالجتها محلياً. بهذا ممكن أن يقل الطلب على مياه الشرب عن طريق توفير مصدر محلي بديل للاستخدامات غير الصالحة للشرب.

يتكون نظام استخراج مياه الصرف الصحي من وحدتين رئيسيتين: مفاعل حيوي غشائي ووحدة تناضح عكسي، وهاتان الوحدتان متصلتان بنظام مدمج ليسهل نقلهما. تعمل هاتان الوحدتان معاً على تصفية مياه الصرف الصحي لجعلها آمنة للاستخدام في الزراعة، وري الحدائق، أو حتى استخدامها للشرب.

استخراج المجاري في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا

تُعدّ منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا من أكثر المناطق في العالم التي تعاني من شحّ المياه. وهي تُعدّ من أفضل الخيارات لاستخراج مياه الصرف الصحي بسبب وفرة مياه الصرف الصحي فيها والحاجة المتزايدة للمياه النظيفة، لا سيما في مدنها.

استخدام التعدين في المجاري لمواجهة ندرة المياه

تعاني منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا من شح المياه في معظم المدن، مع وجود إمكانيات غير مستغلة. وربما تقوم مياه الصرف الصحي غير المعالجة بتلويث وتسميم المياه العذبة إذا بقيت كما هي. مما يعرض الصحة العامة للخطر ويزيد من أزمة المياه. وبالرغم من ذلك، فإن النمو السكاني في هذه المناطق ينتج كميات كافية من مياه الصرف الصحي والتي اذ تم استخدامها بشكل صحيح وعولجت بصورة شاملة، فإن بإمكانها أن تساعد في مواجهة ندرة المياه، حيث تعدُّ إمكانية تحويل الماء الملوث ومعالجته سلعة ثمينة وأمراً جاذباً للباحثين والمهتمين بالأمر.

تحديات معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي

إن القوانين والتعليمات النافذة حالياً لا تفي بالغرض لإجبار هذه المدن على تحويل ومعالجة مياه الصرف الصحي، بل على العكس فإن بعض هذه القوانين يفرض قيوداً على معالجتها أو حتى الجوانب التي تعيق مثل هذه العمليات. وكذلك فإنه لا توجد أية حوافز واضحة وصريحة للقيام بمعالجة مياه الصرف الصحي، ما لم يكن هنالك أي حافز مادي، فإنه على الاغلب ألاّ تُنجز هذه المهمة.

وكذلك فإن انعدام التواصل بين الصناعات داخل هذه المدن يوضح قلة الفرص لمعالجة مياه الصرف الصحي، وإن لم تتعاون الصناعات لتقديم المساعدة في مواجهة أزمة المياه، فإن الحل سيكون أكثر صعوبة.

ربما تكون أنابيب الصرف الصحي ضعيفة أو مكسورة أو حتى قديمة، لأن بعضاً من المياه العذبة ملوث بمياه الصرف الصحي، هنا يكمن الحل في إصلاح المجاري بدون حفريات، بدلا من القيام بالحفر الذي يحتاج نصف مساحة الأرض لاصلاح هذه الانابيب. حيث يتضمن اصلاح المجاري بدون حفر إطلاق راتنج إيبوكسي في أنبوب، ويكون بداخله أنبوب مجاري جديد وتغني هذه التقنية عن اعمال الحفر والبناء الشاقة وتقلل من تلوث المياه النظيفة.

للأسف، فإن الحواجز الثقافية وانعدام الثقة في بعض هذه المدن تلعب دوراً مهماً، حيث يعتقد الكثيرون أن إعادة استخدام مياه المجاري غير صحي وربما يسبب مشاكلاً صحيةً. ولنقوم بإحداث تغيير حقيقي، فإنه من الضروري أن يفهم هؤلاء والجميع كذلك كيف يمكن لعمليات معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي أن تخلصهم من الكثير من الملوثات الضارة بصورة ناجحة وأن يكونوا مشاركين بهذه الفكرة.

الفوائد المحتملة لاستخدام مياه الصرف الصحي

بإمكان معالجة واستخدام مياه الصرف الصحي أن تزيد من كمية المياه المتوفرة لمدن الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا، التي تعاني من شُح المياه، مع التزايد السريع بعدد سكانها. وبالإمكان استخدام مياه الصرف الصحي المعالجة في المزارع لري التربة وتخصيبها، وللعلم فهي غنية بالعناصر الغذائية التي تساعد النباتات على النمو والبقاء.

تحتوي مياه الصرف الصحي على كربون وهذا يُمكن تحويله إلى ميثان، لاستخدامه بإنتاج الكهرباء لعدد كبير من المنازل التي ستستخدمها لتوليد الكهرباء، لكن يجب مراعاة الآثار البيئية لأي طريقة يتم اختيارها. والانتباه أن حلول استخدام طاقة الشمس والرياح هي خيارات أكثر استدامة.

الغابات والزراعة وتنسيق الحدائق من القطاعات الأخرى التي يمكن أن تستفيد من مياه الصرف الصحي. إن توفير مياه الصرف الصحي المعالجة لجميع هذه القطاعات يمكن أن يحد من ندرة المياه في مدن منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا، ويوفر دعمًا اقتصاديًا لصناعات هذه المدن.

خطر ندرة المياه

إن هذا الخطر ليس مقتصراً على منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا فحسب، بل هو مصدر قلق عالمي، فالتلوث بازدياد ويسمّم موارد المياه، وكذلك فإن التغير المناخي يسبب جفاف مصادر ماء أُخرى. وحيث أن العالم يشهد نمواً سكانياً متسارعا ومتزايد، فأن الحال كما هو في منطقتنا، مما يزيد ويفاقم من مشكلة ندرة المياه، فكمية المياه المتوفرة على الأرض لا تلبي حادة السكان المتزايدة.

الآثار السلبية لفقد المياه عديده وتؤدي الى عواقب بيئية واجتماعية، نذكر بعضاً منها هنا على سبيل الذكر لا الحصر:

  1. محدودية مياه الشرب
  2. تفشي الامراض والاوبئة والمخاطر صحية متعددة
  3. توقف نمو المحاصيل والنباتات
  4. اختفاء الأراضي الرطبة
  5. زيادة تركيز التلوث
  6. إضرار بالنظم البيئية
  7. صعوبات وتحديات اقتصادية
  8. صراعات بين المجتمعات والدول

إن إعادة استخدام الموارد ذات الإمكانات غير المستغلة، مثل مياه الصرف الصحي هي أساس ضروري لمستقبل أكثر استدامة. وبإمكانها ان تسهم بشكل كبير بتحسين المناطق الحضرية وخصوصاً المناطق المعرضة للجفاف.

دراسة حالات حول معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي المستدامة

وجدت التقنيات الحديثة لإزالة المواد الكيميائية الضارة واستخلاص العناصر الغذائية المفيدة من مياه الصرف الصحي. وهذه تتحقق بأعلى درجات النجاح إذا أجريت بشكل مستدام وضمن أنظمة دوائر مغلقة. في ماساتشوستس على سبيل المثال فإن بعض المرافق تستخدم نظاماً كهروضوئياً لإدارة مياه الصرف الصحي الناتجة عن المخلفات التجارية والسكنية، حيث تعمل هذه الأنظمة بالطاقة الشمسية مما يمكنها من الحد من تلوث الغلاف الجوي.

أما في كاليفورنيا، فهنالك صعوبات في تلبية احتياجات مياه الشرب بسبب الجفاف التي تعاني منه المنطقة. وهذه يؤثر على أكثر من ملياري شخص سنوياً. ولمعالجة هذه المشكلة فإن الهيئة المعنية بالمياه في مقاطعة أورانج تقوم بإنتاج ملايين الجالونات من مياه الشرب يومياً لتوفيرها للسكان.

استخدام مياه الصرف الصحي

تُعدُّ مياه الصرف الصحي مورداً غير مستغل لحدٍ كبير خاصة في مدن الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا التي تعامي من ندرة المياه. ولتحقيق استدامة أكبر، فإنه من الضروري البحث عن طرق ووسائل لإعادة استخدام النفايات حتى لا تتراكم في ظل معاناة السكان.

هنالك حاجة لوضع أنظمة وتعليمات مناسبة، وخبراء لدعم استخراج (تعدين) مياه الصرف الصحي وجعل هذا ممكناً لإعادة الاستثمار الذي وضع في هذا النظام، ويبقى العمل الجماعي، كما هو الحال في معظم القضايا البيئية، هو الحل.

ترجمة: ماجدة هلسه

أردنية متعددة الإهتمامات، لديها من الخبرة ما يقارب السبعة وعشرون عاماً في مجال المالية والإدارة في المؤسسات المحلية والدولية، وتعمل ماجدة حالياً مع التعاون الدولي الالماني كموظفة مالية. ومع ذلك كله وعلى الصعيد التطوعي، فإن لديها شغفاً كبيراً بالترجمة في كافة المواضيع والمجالات، وقد بُني هذا الشغف بالخبرة الشخصية والعملية على مدى هذه السنين.

Note: The original English version of the article is available here.

Scaling Sustainable Agri-Tech in MENA: Policy, Finance and the Roadblocks Ahead

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a turning point. It’s well known that the area is short on fertile land. What’s newsworthy is that agri-tech solutions are being mobilized quickly to address this long-standing issue and how policy, capital and old-school obstacles shape the path ahead. Here’s a clear view of what’s happening, how it works and why it matters.

modern agricultural technology

The State of Agri-Tech in MENA

The hunger risk in MENA is serious. In 2023, 66.1 million people in Arab regions faced starvation. Wars are driving several countries toward famine, while water scarcity and limited arable land continue to shrink the agricultural output that so many depend on. Due to these limited resources, most countries heavily rely on imports to meet their demand. For instance, even the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — among the most food-secure zones — import roughly 85% of their supply to feed their growing population.

Here is where agricultural innovations make the most difference. Tractors, drones and biotechnology all make farming more efficient and allow for higher yields even with less water and land and a lighter labor load.

The investment wave is already rolling, and these countries are leveraging their capital toward these sustainable systems:

  • Controlled environment agriculture (CEA): CEA is a primary focus to grow crops year-round in enclosed, even soilless environments. Vertical farming and high-tech greenhouses make this a reality.
  • Water management solutions: Given the region’s extreme aridity, technologies that drastically reduce water consumption are widely adopted. Many producers extensively use drip irrigation, hydroponics and desalination plants.
  • Precision agriculture: Sensors, satellite data, AI and drones make food production a precise science that helps ensure crops thrive with the least amount of resources through scheduled irrigation and efficient fertilizer use.
  • Agri-fintech and farmer support: In countries with many small-scale farmers, like Egypt, startups are utilizing smartphone apps to provide access to crop insights, microfinance and market information so that they can make more informed operational decisions.
  • Alternative proteins and biotechnology: The region has welcomed meat and dairy alternatives to ensure food security. Supermarket shelves are now stocked with plant-based nuggets, burgers and milk, even integrating well into restaurant menus.

The Policy Landscape

Government initiatives are driving much of the change in agritech. Economic efforts include grants and subsidies to private investments. As early as 2015, the UAE introduced the Green Agenda to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions to under 100 kilowatt-hours, which laid the groundwork for startups and sustainable farming projects to expand.

The governments also roll out programs supporting ventures in new international technologies. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office, in particular, has partnered with two global protein companies to establish a four-million-liter fermentation facility in the emirate.

However, fragmented and inconsistent regulations persist, especially in countries with weak agro-input policies. The pesticide sector in the MENA area remains one of the least regulated, mainly due to poor coordination among authorities, importers and sellers. At the same time, many countries lag behind international standards in food safety and traceability, which may slow the adoption of agritech that relies heavily on data, traceability and digital systems.

Water use is already regulated in the region, but implementation struggles arise. Countries have different approaches to regulating groundwater, with some requiring permits for well drilling and limiting the volume of extraction.

Morocco’s national water savings program is converting 550,000 hectares of land to drip irrigation. The program has progressed modernization but has caveats, particularly in how it overlooks on-farm water efficiency losses compared to the broader river basin scale.

digital tech in agriculture

Financing Sustainable Agri-Tech in MENA

Innovation needs money. While capital exists, it’s unevenly spread across the region. Strong assistance flows from sovereign wealth funds, private equity, family offices and governments in the Gulf. In contrast, North Africa experiences fewer and different forms of financing, constrained by limited venture aid and higher perceived risk.

Even within the Gulf, funding gaps persist. Arab countries require around USD 230 billion annually to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

Across the Near East and North Africa (NENA), over 80% of agricultural production originates from small-scale farms, with the average size typically being less than two hectares. These producers often lack access to credit and financial services, limiting their ability to adopt costly machinery innovations that reduce manual labor and improve efficiency. Maintenance can be a heavy burden, too — around 80% of costs stem from just 20% of machine problems — making support crucial for smaller growers.

Roadblocks to Scaling

The shift to sustainable agri-tech faces several barriers that slow its implementation. This is where most countries encounter challenges.

  • High up-front costs: Advanced systems save water and land, but the initial setup is expensive. For smaller farmers, the math doesn’t always add up without subsidies or technical assistance.
  • Fragmented capital and mandates: Investors have different financial priorities. Some development aid prefers to support North Africa, while Gulf-based resources focus on projects inside the Arab world. This fragmentation turns into uneven pan-MENA fund structures.
  • Climate, geography and infrastructure: Approximately 60% of the MENA population resides in areas that fall within arid or semi-arid rainfall zones. It is also among the most water-stressed regions in the world. These challenges hinder logistics, water and energy supply, making resilient infrastructure all the more foundational.
  • Small-farm exclusion: Many agri-tech solutions usually target bigger operations, leaving small-scale growers excluded from the development. Their participation is critical, particularly in the NENA, as they are often the ones who lack access to data, capital and training.
  • Regulatory uncertainty: Even when the policy framework is established, regular changes, a lack of local expertise and limited digital infrastructure can slow the rollout of precision farming, IoT, AI and other connected systems.

The Pathways Forward for Scaling Sustainably in Agri-Tech

Efforts in the region need tightening. Because countries have different laws and regulations governing the adoption of farming technology, fragmentation remains a significant barrier. Still, some solutions can be applied on a pan-MENA level.

digital agriculture

First, policies should offer financial incentives to develop and implement technology-driven solutions that help farming conserve limited resources while strengthening food security.

Public-private partnerships can also help close the funding gap for high-cost technologies, drive innovation and reduce risks for both sides. The focus should be on pesticide, seed and food safety standards, as these remain some of the biggest challenges across the region.

Finally, harmonization offers another path forward. Since many MENA countries face similar climate pressures, water scarcity and agricultural constraints, they could benefit from shared standards, data systems and coordinated technology deployment. Aligned regulations lower compliance costs, accelerate adoption and allow agritech companies to scale across borders rather than remain confined to individual markets.

Addressing MENA’s Climate Realities With Sustainable Agri-Tech

The ecosystem that drives the adoption of production technology relies on collaboration among all players, from smallholder farmers to influential government entities. To achieve food security in a water-stressed region, these stakeholders must collaborate to serve the broader population and ensure a future where food is produced sustainably with minimal environmental impact.

Green Growth in Jordan: Prospects and Challenges

By | | , ,
2 Comments

The global financial recession triggered serious debate among many countries in revealing the causes behind failures and in innovating affordable solutions. Seeking “transformational” economic growth is very fashionable nowadays bringing to the front-line clean energy and green investments as keys for a better future. And for those countries at the heart of change in the Arab World, the famous “Spring” is bringing a different flavor to the aspired change and reform.

Ways to Make Your Business Eco-Friendly

In Jordan, attention to sustainability (whether environmental or social) is a need as well as a strategic choice. For a country with very limited natural resources and increasingly growing demand, attending for people and environment is not only a political obligation but an under-exploited differentiator that would place Jordan as a regional platform for community-oriented development and sustainable investments.

The known argument of “environment versus investment” should not stay within our dictionary. Both are converging to support development goals especially within a vulnerable environment like ours. The magnified energy crisis that recently hit Jordanians has initiated a paradigm shift in perception and practice. We have never been more aware of the energy cost and the tough budgetary constraints like we are today. I wish I could claim the same for water, another upcoming reality that Jordanians are hardly ready to face.

Learning it the hard way, Jordan is recognizing with no doubt that sustainable development and effective linkages between economic, social and environmental goals, are not attainable without targeting development sectors and mainstreaming sustainability within their plans and operations. The standalone green approach in decision-making is no longer viable as it encapsulates environment away from other development policies and reforms.

gogreen-new-year

The demand for reforms that ensure long-term benefits to the community is dictating an integrated development approach. People need to be conscious about trade-offs and at the heart of the decision-making process. While calling for more jobs and social welfare; Jordanians are becoming more aware of the pressures caused by economic growth on the country’s natural resources. The business and investment climate has its requirements to give back with value added economy. Land, water, energy, infrastructure and good governance are all inputs in the development process; thus, if Jordan is to compete in the market, we should find the right recipe.

Recognizing its untapped resources, Jordan has identified clean energy and green investments as new clusters to boost economic development, provide green jobs, and sustain natural resources. As the first country in the MENA region to conduct a national green economy scoping study, Jordan has identified several opportunities to kick off the green clusters including renewable energy and energy efficiency, water and waste-water management, solid waste, green buildings, ecotourism, transportation etc. However, mainstreaming the green economy potential into those sectors is still limited.

The cost of imported energy amounted to 20% of the GDP (2006). Total imported energy amounted to 96% of Jordan’s total energy needs. The estimated investment made in the renewable energy sector in 2023 was about 4 billion USD.

In 20222, the installed wind power capacity across Jordan was around 600 MW while the installed solar energy capacity was approximately 2 GW in 2022.

A major achievement was made recently with the first patch of agreements signed between the government and renewable energy developers to start the first solar and wind power generation projects enabled by the recently issued comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework for renewable energy.

electric cars market in jordan

Such investments are expected to contribute to the energy security goals, create green jobs for Jordanians, alleviate burden off the government budget and position Jordan on the clean energy map. As promising as this truly is, Jordan needs to proactively pursue the other elements of the value chain, namely; education, innovation & technology, training, and entrepreneurship.

With over 70% of its population under 30 years of age, Jordan’s big investment needs to be in its talent. Mainstreaming the green economy market needs into the education and vocational training systems will enhance the green clusters competitiveness and ensure socioeconomic benefits.

Through building an effective regulatory and governance framework and bringing together public and private sectors as well as civil society organizations; Jordan will establish its competitive edge in the green economy world while striving to meet its people’s development aspirations.