H.E. Ambassador Badr Abdel Aty
Assistant to the Minister of Foreign affairs for European Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Email: tahasara2014@yahoo.com
Members of National Coordination Group (NCG)
Electricity Sector of Luxor
Ministry of Agriculture
Director of Environmental Affairs
Governorate of Luxor
Population (2017 census): 94.8 million
Population (2006 census): 72.7 million
Largest cities (2017 census, Wikipedia)
Annual population growth (2017): 1.9% (World Bank)
Annual population growth (2009): 1.9%
Annual population growth (2000): 1.9%
Data from Wikipedia, annual population growth calculated based on data by worldbank
Egypt’s economy is one of the most developed and diversified in the Middle East. Agriculture (cotton, corn, sugarcane, fruit and vegetables, fodder, and rice), industry (textiles and clothing, chemicals, steel, consumer electronics and home appliances) and services (tourism) represent almost equal rates in national production.
99.4% of the population has access to proper water sources and 94.7% to proper sanitation (Worldbank, 2015). In 2012 Egypt generated 21 million tons of municipal solid waste (per person 0.67 kg/day on average, 0.7 – 1.0 kg/day in urban areas and 0.4 – 0.5 kg/day in rural areas) (Worldbank, 2018). The amount of waste is growing by 2% annually. Waste collection coverage in urban areas varies from 50 to 65%, while in rural areas this figure is between 0% and 30%. The final destination of collected waste is generally open-dumping (80-88%) and landfilling (7%), while around 10-15% is being recycled (GIZ, 2014 – Country report on Solid Waste Management in Egypt).
Egypt’s energy consumption in the road transport sector amounted to 32% of its final energy consumption in 2016 (IEA Atlas of Energy) (2013: 31%; 2000: 30%), whereas energy consumption per capita amounted to 900 kg of oil equivalent in 2016 (IEA Atlas of Energy), against 835 kg in 2013 (in 2000: 580.6 kg). Electricity consumption amounted to 1,700 kWh per capita in 2016, against 1,697.5 kWh in 2013 and 984.1 kWh in 2000 (IEA Atlas of Energy). After a period of decline between 2004 and 2007, according to IEA Atlas of Energy, the contribution of the residential sector in the total energy consumption is increasing (2000: 21%, 2004: 22%, 2007: 19%, 2010:21%, 2016: 24%). In line with the same database, the share of renewables in the overall electricity generation is in the range of 8-10% after 2010.
According to IEA Atlas of Energy, figures of CO2 emissions in Egypt were 2.14 metric tons per capita in 2016 against 2.13 metric tons in 2011 and 1.43 metric tons in 2000. Like in other countries, CO2 emissions in Egypt mainly stem from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of cement, including those produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels and gas flaring.
Key Data
Total GHG emissions: 204.8 MtCO2 (IEA, 2016)
Per capita CO2 emissions: 2.1 t CO2 /capita (IEA, 2016)
Carbon intensity of the economy: 0.8 kgCO2 /2010 USD (IEA, 2016)
Carbon intensity of the economy (PPP): 0.2 kgCO2 /2010 USD (IEA, 2016)
Carbon intensity of the energy sector: 2.4 t CO2/toe (IEA, 2016)
Share of renewable energy: 8% (IEA, 2016)
National Climate Change Policy
| Milestones in Egypt’s Climate Policy | Year |
| Ratification of the Framework Convention on Climate Change | 1994 |
| Submission of the initial National Communication | 1999 |
| Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol | 2005 |
| Establishment of the CDM –DNA | 2006 |
| Submission of the Second National Communication | 2010 |
| Submission of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) | 2015 |
| Submission of the Third National Communication | 2016 |
| Paris Agreement (signature) | 2016 |
A very interesting report, underlining key facts for the agriculture sector in Egypt, is available for download here.
The NDC Report includes the following elements:
1. National circumstances that address general economic conditions, including economic and population growth rates, major sustainable development goals, and political circumstances.
2. National efforts implemented to combat climate change in Egypt, in terms of treating impacts in different sectors (agriculture, water resources, coastal zones, etc.) or efforts made to reduce GHGs emissions in different sectors (energy, transportation, industry, etc.).
3. Required implementation mechanisms to achieve the objectives of the plan (funding, capacity building, and technology transfer).
No specific GHG emission targets have been set so far.
Egypt has a strong policy framework, based on the 2011 National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) and high-level political institutions consisting of line ministries which have the mandate to implement it. The strategy focuses on increasing the flexibility of Egypt to tackle the risks and negative impacts of climate change in various sectors. The country has also developed a ‘Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) — Egypt’s Vision 2030’.
The Strategy evaluates the current situation and risks across key sectors, in particular the intersection of coastal zones with water resources and irrigation, agriculture, health, urban areas, housing, roads, and tourism. It recommends (i) the integration of sector specific adaptation plans with each five-year plan and national development programmes; (ii) enhancing community participation and building a “Safety First” culture; (iii) promoting regional and international co-operation; and (iv) engaging in continuous monitoring of progress.
Finally, the following adaptation action areas are identified in Egypt’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to the UNFCCC in 2015:
