MENA Climate Week notes blockchain’s potential for climate action

Panelists at the recent MENA Climate Week 2022 examined how blockchain technology can contribute to green initiatives.

Hosted by Dubai’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and the World Green Economy Organization along with various institutions under the United Nations Environment Programme and in partnership with renewable energy groups, the event explored how to promote climate action using digital innovations.

In one session, a hybrid panel made up of experts in blockchain and climate action discussed how blockchain use cases can contribute to a greener future in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and globally during the event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The session, titled “Transformative Climate Action through Digitalization: Blockchain Technologies,” grabbed insights from prominent blockchain figures Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni of the Dubai Blockchain Centre, Dr. Jane Thomason, Frontier Technology Leader and Cointelegraph’s own editor-in-cheif Kristina Lucrezia Cornèr.

The blockchain figures are joined by climate advocates Sami Dimassi of the UN Environment Programme, Dr. Miroslav Polzer of the IAAI, Tia Kansara of Replenish Earth, Her Royal Highness Princess Abze Djigma of Burkina Faso, who is also a member of the African Union and European Union Digital Economy Task Force, Dr. Massamba Thioye of the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub and Youth Climate Action Leader Ameera Al Haranki. Each shared their perspectives and knowledge on how they can see blockchain being connected to climate action initiatives.

In his opening remarks, Sami Dimassi, Regional Director and Representative of the UN Environment Programme for West Asia highlighted several actions that can be done to “tap into blockchain use” in contributing to climate actions. He noted promoting shifts in policies, bringing technological evolution to the climate sector and increasing awareness and collaboration between communities.

During today’s event on Transformative Climate Action through Digitalization at #MenaClimateWeek @samidimassi_UN highlighted the importance of Blockchain technology and their potential in relation to transparency, clean energy attribute, carbon markets and climate finance. pic.twitter.com/pj8JcLwUfc

— UN Environment Programme West Asia (@UNEP_WestAsia) March 29, 2022

Promoting shifts in policies and government regulations

According to Dimassi, because there are many growing climate issues in the world today, it’s necessary to promote government regulations and policies that enable people to adopt digital innovations such as blockchain technology. The UN director noted that blockchain is itself just a neutral technology and that it’s up to the users what they do with it:

“Blockchain can improve efficiency and transparency in climate actions if it’s used in the right manner. Blockchain in itself is neither good nor bad for achieving climate targets. It depends on what we make of it.”

He said that the case for digital transformation is very “compelling,” and that solutions like blockchain can be a great asset to support transformative climate action because of their inherent abilities.

Apart from Dimassi, Al Zarouni also highlighted efforts within the UAE government to support the adoption of blockchain technology. Al Zarouni noted the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, a government-backed effort to push blockchain adoption in the region.

He also stated that his organization, the Dubai Blockchain Centre, is focused on helping the ecosystem within the UAE understand blockchain technology and focus on discussions that bring together regulators, educators and community members to get to know the technologies behind blockchain.

Bringing ‘technological evolution’ to climate…