06-08-08 It is clear that compared to the rest of the world, CO2 emissions in the Middle East are comparatively high, especially when compared to many northern European countries. However, light exists at the end of the tunnel.
Even though countries such as the UAE, which is one of the highest per capita CO2 emitters on the planet, the news is that as a region, the levels are falling.

Quoting the 2007-2008 Human Development Report, Dr Hasan Al Mohndi, Assistant Professor Water Resources, Qatar University, said the US is the biggest CO2 emitter in the world with an annual emission of total 6,046 tons. During the 1990-2004 period it has registered a 25 % increase in the emission of the toxic gas. During the period, China and India registered a quantum jump in the emission.
While China registered a 109 % increase, India recorded 97 %. Russia, which had an emission of 1,984 tons in 1990, witnessed a lesser emission rate in 2004 -- 1,524 tons.

The paper, which discusses the grave environmental effects on marine life, CO2 effluents and oil-related earthquakes in the GCC region, stresses the need for the countries to look for the alternative energies including nuclear power, renewable energy and biofuel. It said the US and Russia have offered to develop the Gulf nuclear programme for peaceful purpose.
On the renewable energy, Dr Mohndi said, as many as 114 energy generation projects of more than $ 160 bn are currently operational in the GCC Sates. Solar energy is used to desalinate 44 cm daily in Qatar.

The GRC document attributes the Gulf environmental pollution largely to oil drilling and transport, which lie heavy on every inch of the local environment. Gulf water, renewed slowly due to its narrow basin, has been subject to contamination due to the 1980s and early Gulf wars where millions of barrels of oil leaked into Gulf waters and many maritime systems were damaged.
Tanker spills, exploration activities and illegal cleaning and discharging into Gulf waterways are also to blame.

Ina bid to prepare a road map for a comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan for the whole GCC, the GRC is working on a "Green Gulf 2020 Study" project. Its aims include raising awareness about the environmental issues in the region; create networking among experts, governmental and non-governmental bodies and highlight the need for more in-depth research.
The study will be led by six different expert teams; each focusing on resource-specific issues and concerns such as biodiversity issues, land degradation, coastal environment, water, air pollution and solid waste management.