CO2 Emissions Rocketing In Oil Sheikdoms

By Paul Homewood

 

 

 

When we discuss CO2 emissions, we invariably gravitate to China and India, simply because they are such large emitters, and growing emissions rapidly.

But what about the Arab world?

 

Many of the Middle Eastern oil producing states are amongst the richest countries on earth, on a per capita basis. Qatar ranks 3rd richest on the IMF list, while others such as Saudi, Kuwait and the UAE are not far behind.

Yet, incredibly, none of these states were given binding targets under the Kyoto Protocol, being lumped together with poor third world countries in Africa and elsewhere as developing nations.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Kyoto_Protocol

 

In the absence of targets, CO2 emissions across the region have rocketed since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997. Bear in mind, these figures have nothing to do with the production of oil, but simply reflect consumption of energy.

 

 

http://cdiac.ornl.gov/GCP/

 

 

The two biggest emitters are Saudi and the UAE, but all of the countries included in the above graph have seen similar increases. 

 

 

And have any of these states any plans to start cutting back on CO2 any time soon? Not according to John Gummer’s Globe International.

 

http://www.globeinternational.org/studies/legislation/climate

 

 

I find it ironic that international oil companies are vilified, yet the oil sheikdoms who benefit so greatly from their oil reserves not only get off scot free, but also are allowed to carry on emitting ever increasing amounts of CO2.

They are regarded as developing countries, yet it seems the only things they are developing are hotels and golf courses!