The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is an emerging center of energy demand. Economic and population growth, increasing industrialization as well as rising living standards are all expected to contribute to a continued increase in the region’s energy consumption over the coming decades. Given that hydrocarbons continue to dominate the region’s energy mix, its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are also expected to keep growing in the absence of further policy measures. In this context, increased focus will be needed on emission reductions and energy sector management. This KAPSARC Discussion Paper presents an analysis of where the MENA region stands on the road to circular carbon economies (CCEs) and its potential to move toward carbon neutrality by mid-century. The analysis is based on the 2023 edition of KAPSARC’s CCE Index, which benchmarks 64 major economies from all world regions, including 14 MENA countries. The paper is structured along the main components of the CCE Index: total score, CCE Performance, CCE Enablers and Oil Producers Lens.
