Egypt and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have joined forces to tackle methane emissions through a new joint work programme. This is 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 programme will focus on Egypt's short- and long-term energy priorities, with a strong emphasis on clean energy transitions, energy security and climate resilience. In addition, the programme will aim to reduce emissions from oil and gas activities, promote the use of hydrogen and renewable energy, and foster collaboration on data and statistics.
The signing ceremony took place at the IEA headquarters in Paris, where Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, met Tarek El-Molla, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Alaa Youssef, Egyptian Ambassador to France.
This agreement is in line with Egypt's commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, the country aims to reduce emissions by 33% in the electricity sector, 65% in the oil and gas sector and 7% in the transport sector.
Egypt is actively involved 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. In addition, Egypt has approved the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative, reinforcing its commitment to minimising the waste of gas flared 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.