Climate change

is one of the most dangerous global phenomena. Moreover, the Global Climate Risk Index 2021 has ranked it among the most extreme threats to the world.

Although the world was alerted early to the seriousness of the consequences of the climate change phenomenon, the current reality in 2021 clearly indicates an exacerbation, not a decline, of this phenomenon and its negative repercussions on the situation of sustainable development in the countries of the world.

The United Nations (UN) had previously launched the Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, signed by 191 countries, which Egypt signed in 1992 to enter into force in 1994. Furthermore, the UN added it to the Kyoto Protocol annex in 1997, and Egypt signed it in 1999, and it came into effect in 2004.

As well, the UN sponsored The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which began to be implemented in 2016, and was ratified by Egypt at the UN Headquarters among 171 countries, in April of the same year. The agreement included specific commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and financially and technically assist developed countries in reducing the effects of climate change and enhancing the efficiency of climate action.

On top of that, the international efforts in this regard succeeded in the inclusion of climate change within the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Where SDGs' goal No. 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as well, emphasizing the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on climate change by the countries of the world. Moreover, SDGs' goal No. 13 spotlights the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

Despite the aforementioned strenuous international efforts, the report of the World Meteorological Organization - WMO in April 2021 on climate change confirms that 2020, along with 2016 and 2019 are the warmest years in the history of the world. Hence, great challenges and pitfalls are facing global and national climate change plans alike.

Commenting on WMO report, the Secretary-General of the United Nations appealed to the countries of the world to make 2021 the year of addressing the risks of climate change and its severe effects on sustainable development in the world, especially in developing countries.

As well, the Virtual Leaders' Summit on Climate on 22-23 April 2021 that it had invited 40 world leaders, emphasized these challenges. Furthermore, the leaders' summit has emphasized on green paths and clean energy to support sustainability, and the responsibility of industrialized countries to reduce emissions.

All these events confirm that getting out of the captivity of global warming will only be through accelerating the steps of the transition to green societies and economies with lower carbon. This conversion requires investments estimated by the United Nations at about 90 trillion dollars until 2030. Moreover, this transformation includes the development of clean and renewable energy stations -especially solar and wind-, as well closing some coal mines, and supporting climate-adapted agricultural and industrial activities. In the same vein, this transition requires promoting smart cities, green buildings, energy storage technology (lithium batteries - photovoltaic storage systems), green bonds and green financing, green growth, and new types of green jobs.

These global challenges extend to the regional level, as the Arab region faces real challenges to achieve sustainable development, as a result of the scarcity of renewable water resources in light of the continuous increase in the population. In addition, international studies also predict fast rates of depletion in groundwater resources as a result of increasing demand on these limited resources. These groundwater resources are expected to be exhausted within about 30 years, with a significant negative impact on Arab economic, social and environmental development. Over and above that, agricultural production is expected to decrease in some Arab countries by almost 60%, accompanied with the increase in unemployment in the agricultural labor force, which represents about 30% of the total labor force in some agricultural countries in the Arab region.

Egypt actively participates in the Arab efforts concerned with climate change, especially with the establishment of the Arab Center for Climate Change Polices (ACCCP), in 2018. A well, Egypt participates in the African efforts in this regard, especially, since the African continent remains the most affected by the repercussions of climate change in the world.

As the previous facts showed, Egypt was an active partner in all global efforts concerned with the issue of climate change. Moreover, these global participations of Egypt were accompanied by parallel efforts at the national level. Along with it, the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt’s Vision 2030 and its updates have adopted directions to combat climate change, confront its effects, and enhance the ability of ecosystems to adapt risks and cope with natural disasters.

Likewise, the government's work program 18/2019-21/2022 adopted a major program for environmental improvement, in addition to supportive programs in other fields such as energy, industry, agriculture and water resources.

In the same context, the National Council for Climate Change has been restructured, in addition to a strategy for climate change until 2050 is being prepared, with the development of financing incentives for green projects that take into account climate change, in addition to several other national initiatives are in place.

Finally, the issue of climate change nationally, regionally, and globally encounters many challenges. Hence, the importance of this conference comes from all which have been mentioned above.