Egypt recently established the Environmental and Climate Policy Committee with the aim of guiding the country toward a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. The committee, led by Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad, consists of members from various ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Planning and Economic Development, International Cooperation, Finance, Local Development, Investment, Electricity and Energy, Petroleum, and Industry.
The first meeting of the Environmental and Climate Policy Committee, chaired by Fouad on 10 August, focused on outlining the committee’s objectives and defining the roles and responsibilities of its members. Representatives from the Environmental Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Environment’s Office for Multilateral Agreements, the Ministry of Environmental Policies, and the Ministry of Local Development, as well as members from various ministries, attended the meeting.
Fouad stated that the committee’s primary function is to develop a unified strategy for a sustainable future, set clear objectives, identify key tasks, and oversee the implementation of structural reforms across political, economic, and social spheres. Emphasizing its alignment with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development’s strategy for green transition, the committee aims to promote national ownership, ensure consistency, and effectively integrate initiatives across relevant sectors through collaboration with key organizations.
Initially, the Ministry of Environment partnered with the Ministry of International Cooperation and the World Bank to address climate change. However, the ministry has expanded its efforts and is now collaborating with other governmental bodies on critical issues such as mitigation strategies, carbon reduction, and concerns within the electricity and petroleum sectors.
According to Egyptian Streets The Environment Minister stressed the importance of a cohesive stance on Egypt’s climate change strategy, national contributions, and negotiating position, noting that it could aid in securing international funding. Drawing from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) report, Green Growth Policy Review of Egypt 2024, the committee plans to develop a roadmap to address climate change and environmental issues.
Fouad commended the engaging discussions among committee members at the meeting’s end and emphasized the commitment to establishing a platform for ongoing communication. Additionally, plans were outlined to conduct a comprehensive review of all studies and projects negotiated by each represented organization, alongside an analysis of the findings from the OECD report. To progress, committee members intend to provide suggestions and feedback on the report, which will be discussed at the next meeting.
The committee’s objectives align with Egypt’s 2030 Vision, which prioritizes sustainability as a guiding principle and emphasizes an integrated and sustainable environmental system as its strategic goal, focusing on crucial issues such as climate change.
