20
Carbon dioxide emissions are those resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and
include gasses produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels and the
manufacture of cement. Since the discovery of oil in the Arabian Peninsula more than 30
years ago, many states have undergone a profound transformation from impoverished
small desert principalities to modern states with high standards of living and rapid
development of infrastructure and commerce. Rapid economic and population growth
and high energy consumption have led to per capita carbon emissions at levels many
times that of the world average.
All seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula
are signatories to the Kyoto Climate Protocol, a
protocol to the UNFCCC, aimed at addressing
climate change. Signatory parties are directed
to ensure that National Communication reports
submitted to the UNFCCC include descriptions of
planned mitigation measures.
Many states throughout the region are pursuing a
range of options to mitigate their GHG emissions,
including solar power, carbon capture and storage
and other innovative technologies.
As the Arabian Peninsula contains no major
terrestrial forests, Blue Carbon may provide
options for carbon sequestration and storage in
natural coastal ecosystems.
WHY BLUE CARBON IN THE
ARABIAN PENINSULA?
