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Arab News
9 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
GCC exceeds global average in 2024 Carbon Circular Economy Index
RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council countries have outperformed the global average in the 2024 Carbon Circular Economy Index, scoring 41.5 points, latest data showed. Released by the Gulf Statistical Center, the index serves as an assessment tool to evaluate the progress of 125 nations toward achieving net-zero emissions through a balanced approach that incorporates mitigation technologies and enabling tools. It also measures their transition to a carbon-neutral future based on circular economy principles, the Oman News Agency reported. The GCC's performance highlights its growing commitment to sustainable energy and carbon reduction strategies. Its push toward a circular carbon economy aligns with broader economic diversification goals, as the region seeks to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons while tackling environmental challenges. 'The contribution of the design capacity of renewable energy plants in the GCC countries to the total design capacity of renewable energy plants worldwide also increased, reaching 0.43 percent in 2024, compared to 0.03 percent in 2015,' the ONA report stated. This expansion reflects increased investments in solar, wind, and other clean energy projects across the region. With some member states ranking among the world's highest per capita emitters, the shift to sustainable practices — such as waste recycling, renewable energy development, and carbon capture — aims to balance continued energy leadership with climate commitments. According to the Jeddah-based Gulf Research Center, rapid urbanization and resource-intensive consumption patterns have further driven the need for circular solutions, particularly in water and waste management, as the GCC works to mitigate its ecological footprint while fostering green investment and job creation. Currently, the GCC operates three commercial carbon capture and storage facilities, with a combined capacity of 3.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year. These facilities play a crucial role in reducing industrial emissions, the ONA report noted. Looking ahead, the region is projected to capture and store up to 65 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2035. CCS technology is a key component of the GCC's strategy to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. GCC's leadership During its G20 presidency in 2020, Saudi Arabia introduced the Circular Carbon Economy Framework, which was endorsed by G20 leaders as a sustainable and cost-effective approach to tackling climate change while ensuring energy security. Building on this momentum, the Kingdom launched its CCE National Program in 2021, focusing on emissions reduction through four key strategies: reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove. Saudi Arabia has since implemented over 30 CCE initiatives across its energy sector, aligning with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 2021 pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The UAE has also emerged as a regional leader in circular economy policy. Its Circular Economy Agenda 2031 serves as a national blueprint, outlining 22 policies across four key sectors — manufacturing, food, infrastructure, and transportation — to drive advanced recycling, economic growth, job creation, and resource efficiency. As host of COP28, the UAE reaffirmed its global sustainability commitment, leveraging its strengths in green finance, clean energy, and climate innovation.
Kuwait Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
GCC countries surpass global health targets
KUWAIT: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have made significant strides in advancing public health and well-being, surpassing several global health targets, the Gulf Statistical Center (GCC-Stat) reported on Sunday. In its latest report, the center highlighted remarkable progress in key health indicators, particularly in maternal and child health. The GCC states collectively outperformed the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for maternal mortality, which aims to limit maternal deaths to no more than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. The highest recorded maternal mortality rate in the region was just 17.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022. Medical supervision of childbirth remains near-universal across the GCC, with over 98 percent of births attended by healthcare professionals, according to 2022 data. The report also noted that the under-five mortality rate across the GCC remains significantly below the global target of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030, reaching a maximum of 10.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Similarly, the neonatal mortality rate has met the global benchmark of fewer than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births. HIV infections across the region remain minimal and below global averages, with the worldwide rate standing at 0.17 per 1,000 uninfected individuals. In terms of road safety, death rates from traffic accidents in the GCC ranged from 3 to 14.1 per 100,000 population in 2022—lower than the global average of 15 per 100,000. Meanwhile, deaths attributed to air pollution were also below international levels, ranging from 16 to 45 per 100,000 population, compared to the global average of 93 per 100,000. Deaths due to unsafe water, sanitation, or hygiene were nearly negligible in the region, with the highest recorded rate not exceeding 0.1 per 100,000 population. Vaccination coverage across GCC member states has reached near-universal levels, with rates exceeding 97 percent—well above the global average of 84 percent. The Gulf Statistical Center, based in the Sultanate of Oman, serves as the official body for data, statistics, and information pertaining to the GCC. It supports the efforts of national statistical authorities and planning institutions across member states, reinforcing regional cooperation in the field of statistical development. — KUNA
Arab Times
17-03-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
GCC Expats Sent Less Money Home - What's Behind the Decline?
MUSCAT, March 17: According to a recent report from the Gulf Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), total remittances from workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached USD 131.5 billion by the end of 2023. This marked a slight decline of 0.4 percent compared to 2022, following substantial increases in 2021 (9.2 percent) and 2022 (3.8 percent). Despite this minor dip of approximately $500 million, the GCC remains the largest global source of worker remittances, ahead of the United States. The report also highlighted that the share of remittances in the GCC's gross domestic product (GDP) has been declining in recent years, dropping from 8.1 percent in 2020 to 6 percent in 2022. However, in 2023, this percentage slightly increased to 6.2 percent. Remittances continue to play a critical role as a major source of income for many developing countries, particularly in South Asia and the Philippines, where millions of expatriates contribute across various sectors such as construction, retail, and domestic services. In addition to remittance data, the report revealed key insights into the labor force across GCC countries. The total labor force in the region reached 31.8 million, comprising 54.2 percent of the total population. Male workers made up 78.7 percent of the labor force, while female workers represented 17.6 percent. The number of working citizens in the GCC stood at 5.6 million, accounting for 23.4 percent of the total labor force, with 60 percent male and 40 percent female. The report also highlighted a notable increase in the number of working women in the region, with a 600,000 rise since 2011. The government sector remains the largest employer of Gulf workers, with 83.5 percent of employed citizens working in the public sector, compared to just 14.2 percent in the private sector. Most citizens employed in the GCC work in the services sector, especially in public administration roles. The data further emphasized the ongoing efforts by GCC countries to localize the workforce and address labor market imbalances. Policies such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy aim to increase the contribution of the national workforce to the industrial sector and improve the overall distribution of labor. Additionally, the report noted that GCC countries are placing a strong emphasis on gender equality and youth employment. Initiatives are being taken to enhance the role of women in development, balance population and workforce structures, and improve national workforce training programs. The region continues to prioritize young workers, promote economic diversification, and invest in the creation of green and environmentally friendly jobs. These comprehensive workforce policies are designed to ensure long-term sustainability and address the evolving needs of the region's labor market while supporting economic and social development.
