Fadi Al-Shihabi, partner, sustainability solutions leader, KPMG Middle East. (Image source: KPMC Middle East.)

Fadi Al-Shihabi, partner, sustainability solutions leader, KPMG Middle East discusses how the Gulf states are turning the fossil fuel legacy into a blueprint for a circular economy

The World Meteorological Association has predicted that global temperature is likely to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels temporarily in the next five years. Amid rising global investments in renewable energy, governments are strengthening their climate action plans as they target urgent implementation over the next few years.

In the GCC region, Gulf nations are embracing a forward-thinking policy to address environmental challenges, setting a global benchmark for how circular economy practices can drive sustainable economic growth. Their National Visions – including Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Green Agenda 2030, Oman Vision 2040 and Qatar National Vision 2030 – all envisage advancing sustainable industrial development, emphasising energy efficiency, waste reduction and renewable resources.

Transforming manufacturing is the key to reducing waste and energy consumption, promoting responsible consumption and reducing environmental impact. In this context, the evolution of the Gulf's manufacturing sector is a testament to the region's adaptability and foresight. We are also seeing the enhancement of value chains in the region through the production of more raw materials locally, fostering cross-sector synergies to boost industrial localisation efforts. By leveraging their expertise in energy production and their significant financial resources, GCC nations are not only keeping pace with global sustainability trends but are setting new standards in socio-economic development.

Making the circular economy a reality in the GCC

The GCC is steering toward zero landfill as part of its ambitious net-zero targets. Key efforts include waste-to-energy projects and increased recycling, both of which are reshaping the manufacturing sector, by promoting green, circular economy practices and advancing sustainable development across the region.

Additionally, research continues to drive innovation, particularly in advanced waste conversion technologies. The UAE introduced a circular economy policy in 2021, which implements resource efficiency, minimises waste, and fosters economic value from materials traditionally considered waste. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's bold recycling initiative aims to recycle 95% of its waste, contributing US$31.99bn to GDP, creating 100,000 jobs, and positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in sustainability by 2040 through advanced waste management strategies. While Qatar's Ministry of Municipality plans to build an engineered landfill in Al Khor, adhering to the highest international standards, and operating a plant for recycling materials.

In Saudi Arabia, Clorox's Dammam and Jeddah plants have already achieved 100% zero waste to landfill. Additionally, KAUST startup Edama Organic Solutions has opened the Kingdom's first organic waste recycling facility at the KAUST Research. Oman too is launching its first Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project, which is expected to cut landfill carbon emissions by 50 million tons over 35 years.

Each of these projects exemplify the shift to a circular economy, with resource efficiency principles woven into national economic and environmental strategies. The approach goes beyond just waste reduction, aiming to extract value from it instead. An example is the ambitious e-waste recycling project in Salalah, the largest in Oman. This initiative tackles the rising issue of electronic waste while creating new economic opportunities, solidifying Oman’s position as a leader in sustainable waste management and resource efficiency.

Overcoming obstacles

There is no doubt that the shift towards sustainability is opening new markets and driving demand for eco-friendly products and services. Companies that prioritise sustainability are finding themselves at a competitive advantage, fostering both environmentally conscious consumers and investors.

Despite notable progress, several hurdles still impede the full implementation of effective waste management systems. With robust regulations still being in the works, and high initial costs, particularly for advanced technologies, remain a significant barrier. Additionally, on a wider scale, limited recycling infrastructure restricts broader adoption.

Additionally, greater public awareness and engagement are needed to drive meaningful behavioral change. These challenges also offer opportunities for innovation, investment, and policy reform. By addressing these issues, the region could unlock more cost-effective solutions, foster new partnerships, and pave the way for sustainable and efficient waste management practices.

Gulf nations are also tapping into their energy production expertise to drive waste-to-energy initiatives, marking a decisive move toward sustainable development. This niche area of expertise that had traditionally been utilised in oil wealthy nations but has been rare to find globally, is an essential piece of the puzzle to extend the reach of renewable energy and its accessibility.

The road ahead

The road to a circular economy and waste reduction is set to positively impact the employment market, as the Middle East invests around US$1 trillion in clean energy over the next decade, marking a transformative shift in the region’s economic landscape. This substantial investment is projected to generate around 300,000 new jobs by 2030 and inject an additional US$100bn into the regional economy, underscoring the Gulf's growing commitment to sustainable growth and energy diversification.

As we look to the future, the Gulf region's journey from oil dependency to green innovation offers valuable lessons for other resource-dependent economies within the region. It demonstrates that with vision, commitment, and strategic investment, it's possible to turn the legacy of fossil fuels into a blueprint for a sustainable, diversified economy.

The sands are shifting in the Gulf, and as they do, they are revealing a green oasis of opportunity – one that promises a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region and the world.
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Hydrogen is widely regarded as a critical enabler of net-zero ambitions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

At StocExpo 2025, industry leaders and energy transition experts assessed the future for hydrogen, addressing both its promise and the obstacles hindering widespread adoption

Hydrogen has long been a staple of industrial processes, but its potential as a decarbonisation tool remains the subject of intense debate. While its role in refining, steel production, and heavy transport is increasingly recognised, fundamental challenges persist – chief among them cost, infrastructure, and investment uncertainty.

Low-carbon hydrogen is widely viewed as a critical enabler of net-zero ambitions, particularly in sectors where direct electrification is impractical. Eugenia Belloni Pocorob, lead H2 and CC(U)S for the Netherlands at BP, highlighted its importance in reducing refinery emissions.

“Decarbonising refinery fuel is essential, and low-carbon hydrogen provides a clear pathway,” she said. However, she acknowledged the formidable hurdles. “The technical and financial challenges remain substantial, but the opportunity for emissions reduction is undeniable.”

The transport sector is also exploring hydrogen’s potential. Amit Rao, principal consultant at S&P Global, noted its long-standing use in industrial applications but pointed to new areas of demand. “We are seeing airline manufacturers investigating pure hydrogen solutions beyond sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It may seem far-fetched now, but technological advances happen rapidly,” he observed.

Investment and policy uncertainty

Despite its promise, the high cost of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen projects remains a significant barrier. “The scale of capital required for CCS projects is enormous,” said Rao. “We have already seen major industry players reconsider their green commitments. The question is: where will the funding come from, and who will drive the transition?”

Investor hesitation is another factor slowing progress. Belloni Pocorob pointed out that traditional investors are reluctant to engage in projects with long payback periods. “The appetite for quick returns does not align with the realities of hydrogen investment. We need a different type of investor – one willing to take a long-term view.”

Government intervention has played a decisive role in advancing early-stage projects. Matt Wilson, head of New Energy Markets at Navigator Terminals, cited the UK’s approach, where government-backed competition frameworks have helped de-risk investments. “By aligning the entire value chain, these initiatives have made projects more viable,” he explained. “Future developments will build on this foundation.”

Geopolitical headwinds and the US factor

The trajectory of hydrogen investment is increasingly being shaped by global political dynamics. Rao warned that shifts in US policy could have far-reaching consequences. “We need to wait out the Trump presidency to gain clarity on the long-term outlook. Over the next four years, we are likely to see renewed trade conflicts – not just with China, but across the board. The US is moving towards decoupling from global markets, which will have profound implications for European industry,” he said.

Rising defence spending in Europe could also reshape energy transition priorities. “If governments allocate 3% or more of GDP to defence, other sectors will inevitably face budgetary constraints,” Rao cautioned.

Cautious optimism amid market adjustments

Despite these challenges, the panel remained cautiously optimistic. Belloni Pocorob noted that while the number of hydrogen projects has declined, awareness and momentum have grown. “We may have gone from 30 projects to fewer than five, but the fact that some are now moving into construction is significant. The energy transition is not just theoretical – we are starting to see real implementation,” she said.

Wilson echoed this sentiment. “The projects we have in place are gaining traction. The policy framework is set, and the risk profile has improved. This momentum will carry through to SAF and other hydrogen-linked sectors,” he concluded.

Hydrogen may not yet be the silver bullet for industrial decarbonisation, but its role in the energy transition is becoming clearer. Whether it can fully deliver on its promise will depend on sustained investment, policy support, and the resolution of geopolitical uncertainties.

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Dr Fatih Birol highlighted the growth of electrification at IE Week. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

Giving a keynote address on 25 February at International Energy Week in London, hosted by the Energy Institute, Dr Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlighted the soaring growth in electricity demand and its implications

“We are entering an important new chapter in the history of energy, where electricity is going to be even more important,” he said. “When we look at the numbers, we see the age of electricity is coming.”

Dr Birol pointed out that in the last 10 years global energy demand has increased – but global electricity demand has increased two and a half times higher. In the next 10 years, global electricity demand will increase six times more than global energy demand.

The biggest driver of this demand growth is the increase in air conditioning, set to increase further as incomes and temperatures rise. Growth is also coming from manufacturing, with processes becoming more electrified, and electric vehicles, with one in five cars globally being electric in 2024 compared with one in 25 five years ago. AI and data centres are also a major source of demand, with one medium-sized data centre consuming as much electricity as 100,000 homes.

“This is why we see the age of electricity coming – and it has many implications,” he said.

Constraints to growth

Addressing the constraints, Dr Birol said grids are a major bottleneck, with permitting and licensing processing being an issue. “Last year we saw 7 GB of renewables added to the global power system, the biggest in history, but 1,600 GW in renewables waiting in the queue to be connected. This is economically a criminal story.”

He also noted the bottleneck in terms of manufacturing capacity of electrical components. “If you want to buy a cable, especially a DC cable, you have to wait four years, for transformers, five years,” he noted.  

A second issue is electricity pricing, “very important for the competitiveness of any economy. It’s crucial that governments have the right pricing system. Having the right taxes and subsidies is extremely important. In Europe, electricity prices today are two times higher than before the energy crisis. We need the right diagnosis and the right cure so that economies and citizens are not hit by high electricity prices, a key indicator of whether a country can be economically competitive in the future.”

Another issue is the skyrocketing demand for copper, with a major supply deficit predicted by 2035. “The availability and affordability of copper can be a serious issue in the age of electricity.”

Fourthly, nuclear power is making a strong comeback around the world, driven by energy security concerns. “By 2025 we expect global nuclear electricity generation to be the highest in history,” Dr Birol said, noting that 70 GB of nuclear power plants are under construction, the highest amount in the last three decades, with more than 40 countries having firm plans to expand their nuclear capacity. “By around 2030 we may see commercial SMRs hitting the market,” he added.

Concluding, Dr Birol said, “We are seeing the global economy is being electrified in a rapid sense, mainly driven by emerging countries, but advanced economies are also part of it, driven by traditional as well as new sectors such as AI and electric vehicles. It will not be easy to address all the challenges that the new age will bring. Countries and companies who read what is happening and develop policies and strategies to make the most out of the age of electricity, will have a significant advantage over others in the race of global economic competition.”

Natural gas, particularly LNG, will be critical in the shift to a lower-carbon future. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

A new Horizons report from Wood Mackenzie highlights the role of gas in the energy transition, supporting renewables and accelerating the shift away from coal

The report, titled "The bridge: Natural gas's crucial role as a transitional energy source" argues that despite the growth of renewable energy, natural gas remains fundamental to meeting global energy needs and reducing emissions in the medium term.

"Gas demand has surged by 80% over the past 25 years, now meeting almost a quarter of the world's energy needs," said Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president of gas and LNG research at Wood Mackenzie. "Its success lies in the scale of global resources, low production costs, ease of storage and dispatch, and comparative environmental advantages."

Despite growing electrification, increasingly delivered by renewable power sources, and the adoption of emerging low-carbon technologies, progress is currently too slow to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. With coal still accounting for 30% of the world’s energy needs, shifting to gas as a transition fuel is a compelling option.

Key findings

Key findings from the report include:
• Gas produces only half the carbon dioxide of coal and 70% of oil when burned, and generates considerably less pollution, making it the cleanest fossil fuel option.
• Replacing coal with natural gas has already helped deliver substantial CO2 reduction and can help decarbonise markets across Asia which remain dependent on coal.
• Gas-fired plants are key to provide reliable and flexible supply supporting the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.
• Natural gas can act as a catalyst for advancing other lower-carbon technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and low-carbon hydrogen.

Challenges 

The report also highlights challenges facing the gas industry, such as high LNG prices acting as a brake on adoption in Asia.

“In China and India, where gas usage is mainly used for peak shaving, gas demand is still expected to grow by almost 100 bcm through to 2050 in the power sector, offering the most practical option for ensuring flexibility as renewable investments surge,” said Di Odoardo. “Without a carbon price of around US$100/tonne, reducing China’s and India’s dependency on baseload coal looks like a massive ask. But the prize could be a reduction of more than 300 Mt of CO2 by 2035.”

Its CO2 and methane emissions also need to be addressed to ensure it remains attractive as a bridging fuels, although the reports points out that LNG has around 60% lower GHG intensity than coal.

The report concludes that natural gas, particularly LNG, will be critical in the shift to a lower-carbon future, bridging the gap as emerging low-carbon technologies strive to reach critical mass.