National Climate Change Policy

Milestones in Egypt’s Climate Policy	Date
Ratification of the Framework Convention on Climate Change	05 December 1994
Submission of the initial National Communication	19 June 1999
Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol	12 January 2005
Establishment of the CDM –DNA	06 February 2006
Submission of the Second National Communication	07 June 2010
Submission of Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)	16 November 2015
Paris Agreement (Signature)	22 April 2016

The national climate change policy stresses the importance of adaptation with a possibility of contributing to the international community’s efforts towards the mitigation of GHGs. Egypt is one of the most vulnerable countries to the potential impacts and risks of climate change, even though it produces less than 1% of the world total emissions of GHG, with a vulnerability of all sectors of development and a low resilience of the majority of stakeholders. The sectors of water resources, agricultural resources and food security, coastal resources, tourism, and health are all particularly vulnerable with serious socioeconomic implications. For each of these sectors, detailed analyses of adaptation measures have been carried out and specific policies have been developed.

The Low Carbon Development context

Key data

Total GHG emissions: 193 MtCO2e
Per capita GHG emissions: 2.3 metric tons per capita (2007)
Carbon intensity of the economy: 0.5 kg of CO2e per PPP $ of GDP (2006)
Carbon intensity of the energy sector: 0.54 kg of CO2e /KWH
Share of renewable energy: 9%

In October 2007, the Supreme Council for Energy adopted a strategy for energy supply and use, which comprehensively integrates the main policies and measures that could meet the longer term challenges facing the national energy industry. The strategy confirms the ongoing activities, adding to them nuclear power generation, carbon capture and storage, the reduction of electricity losses through transmission and distribution systems and demand-side management.

Over the years, a series of policies and measures have been adopted to result in a general decrease in GHG emissions per unit of product in industrial processes and product use (excluding those related to energy). Accelerated developments are taking place for introducing renewables, fuel switching in industry and transport, domestic and industrial efficiency programs, energy-efficient buildings, agriculture and plantation schemes to enable establishment of an economic structure that prioritizes energy efficiency. This reflects Egypt’s basic policy direction and measures for greenhouse gas reductions to contribute to the global efforts to mitigate climate change, though not legally required to do so.

Adaptation/resilience

Egypt is one of the most vulnerable countries to the potential impacts and risks of climate change, even though it produces less than 1% of the world total emissions of GHG, with a vulnerability of all sectors of development and a low resilience of the majority of stakeholders. The sectors of water resources, agricultural resources and food security, coastal resources, tourism, and health are all highly vulnerable with serious socioeconomic implications (cf. INC, 1999). Detailed analysis of adaptation policy and measures has been carried out. Vulnerabilities, socioeconomic implications and suggested adaptation policies and measures for each sector are outlined.

Key documents

Climate Change Risk Management Program (CCRM) report (2013)
Egyptian portfolio of CDM projects updated and issued by DNA (2013)
Study of Climate Change Impacts on Egyptian Economy, Report (2013)
Enabling activities for the preparation of Egypt’s 3rdNC to the UNFCCC, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Project Document Format (2011)
Second National Communication (SNC) to UNFCCC (2010)

Key links

Ministry of State For Environmental Affairs