Egypt, IEA partner to promote clean energy transition

CAIRO – 2 November 2023: Egypt and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have joined forces to combat methane emissions through a new joint work program. This marks the first collaboration between Egypt and the IEA in their efforts to address the environmental challenges associated with fossil fuel use, renewable energy deployment, and hydrogen production.

The two-year joint work program will focus on Egypt's energy priorities, both in the short and long term, with a strong emphasis on clean energy transitions, energy security, and climate resilience. Additionally, the program will aim to reduce emissions in oil and gas activities, promote the use of hydrogen and renewables, and foster collaboration on data and statistics.

The signing ceremony took place at the IEA's headquarters in Paris, where Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the IEA, met with Tarek El-Molla, Egypt's Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Alaa Youssef, Egypt's Ambassador to France.

This agreement comes in line with Egypt's commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, the country aims to decrease emissions by 33% in the electricity sector, 65% in the oil and gas sector, and 7% in the transportation sector.

Egypt has been actively engaging in global initiatives to combat methane emissions. The country recently joined the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Furthermore, Egypt has endorsed the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative, reinforcing its commitment to minimizing the wasteful practice of flaring gas during oil production.

Egypt's association with the IEA as a member country began in February 2022, making it the second country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to establish this partnership.