Mobilizing for Sustainability

Environmental crises are destroying lives and roiling economies in the Middle East and North Africa. Yet, most MENA governments lack comprehensive strategies to address these challenges, and the region consistently receives less international climate finance than any other region in the world. 

In a new report, Will Todman argues that international actors should view environmental civil society as a strategic partner in their efforts to stabilize the MENA region. Too often, donor support skews the civil society ecosystem and undermines its ability to drive change. Unlocking citizen groups’ potential would not require more money, but a narrower focus on sustainability. Based on over 130 interviews with government officials, international donor representatives, and civil society actors, Will assesses the potential of civil society to accelerate environmental action in Iraq, Oman, and Tunisia, while Martin Pimentel assesses Morocco. 

This report is part of the Middle East Transformation Initiative, which is possible due to generous support from Bahaa Rafic Hariri.