The master plan is designated to serve both Jewish settlements and the Palestinians, but the PA’s opposition might prevent its implementation in the Palestinian territories Hagar Shezaf | Feb. 20, 2020 The Palestinian Authority’s Energy Authority has condemned an Israeli master plan for the development of an electricity grid in the West Bank, saying that […]

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By Maram Kayed – Feb 18,2020 AMMAN — The distribution of climate financing among countries in the Arab region is “highly uneven”, with 94 per cent of bilateral flows reported in 2016 reaching only five countries, namely Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Morocco and Tunisia, according to a report recently released by the United Nations Economic and […]

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Local expert calls for further action to meet climate-related goals By Maram Kayed – Feb 19,2020 AMMAN — Jordan is one of nine countries worldwide on course to beat CO2 emissions per capita targets by 2030, according to a report by a commission of over 40 child and adolescent health experts from around the world. […]

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Feb 21 Lebanon is expected to start drilling offshore for oil and gas on February 27, Culture and Agriculture Minister Abbas Mortada told VDL (93.3) radio station on Friday. During its meeting yesterday, “not only did the Cabinet approve the Kuwaiti housing loan bill, but it also discussed and gave the green light for drilling […]

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By Maram Kayed – Feb 20,2020 AMMAN — Jordan was ranked third after Egypt and Morocco in the MENA region in terms of wind energy production during the year 2019, according to a report recently published by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). According to the annual report, Jordan’s total wind energy production amounted to […]

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By JT – Feb 19,2020 AMMAN — Director General of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) Amjad Rawashdeh on Wednesday confirmed the resumption of pumping Egyptian natural gas to the Kingdom, according to the quantities and contractual terms agreed upon between Jordan and Egypt. Regarding the reason for the disruption during the past few days, […]

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Energy, environment ministries say they won’t extend oil-shale extraction license in Negev’s Rotem industrial zone Zafrir Rinat | Feb. 19, 2020 The government will no longer grant licenses for exploration or extraction of oil shale, the energy and environmental protection ministries announced on Tuesday, and will not extend the license to extract oil shale in […]

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By JT – Feb 16,2020 AMMAN — In its session on Sunday headed by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, the Cabinet approved a draft law amending the Law on Restructuring Governmental Institutions and Departments for the year 2020. The amendment aims to merge the Water Authority of Jordan and transfer its functions to the Ministry of […]

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A local water company will start selling a bottle made from plant-based materials to reduce the amount of plastic it produces. Al Ain water launched its “plant bottle”, which will be available at food service providers by May, at Gulfood in Dubai on Monday. The new bottle, including the cap, is made from 100 per […]

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By Maria Weldali – Feb 19,2020 AMMAN — A controversial move to replace steel gas cylinders with plastic ones continues to garner scepticism from gas sector stakeholders over safety concerns, with the Gas Station Owners Association (GSOA) rejecting the new concept completely. While the GSOA endorses innovation in the sector, it “refuses any scheme” that […]

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The UAE is to create the world’s largest artificial reef off the east coast of Fujairah. Conservationists from the Florida Keys in the United States will join marine biologists in the Emirates to establish the 300,000 square metre project. Last week, two scientists from the Florida Keys National Sanctuary toured the Fujairah coastline, diving at […]

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By JT – Feb 18,2020 AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday said that the state of alert related to the control of locusts has been raised from medium to high. According to a ministry statement, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Shahahdeh called for raising the state of alert […]

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Ajloun Forest Reserve, Azraq Wetland Reserve included on list By Johanna Montanari AMMAN — Two Jordanian nature reserves are listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas as the best-managed protected areas in the world, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) noted […]

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By JT – Feb 19,2020 AMMAN — The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) recently launched a new concept in environmental tourism called “experiential tourism”, through which visitors can experience the customs and traditions of local communities and savour their cuisine. This type of tourism aims to extend visitors’ stays and familiarise them […]

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February 19, 2020 Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda said on Wednesday that the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh is now a “green city.” Fouda said that a factory will be established to manufacture environmentally-friendly paper bags, which will coincide with a ban on shipping plastic bags into the […]

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By Maram Kayed – Feb 16,2020 AMMAN — The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan has completed a draft guide for marine fishing in Aqaba as part of a project aimed at strengthening the legislative framework for Aqaba’s fishing sector. The project is being implemented with the support of the German Hanns Seidel Foundation, according […]

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Nocturnal mammal may soon become a fond and furry memory as human presence continues to bite off large chunks of its natural habitats; animal’s slow puberty process makes every death impactful Ilan Curiel | Published: 02.11.20 The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has recently released an annual report on the country’s otter population, which revealed […]

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UAE to release 60 Arabian Oryx in Jordan wildlife reserve 14/2/2020 Arabian Oryx are to be released in Shumari Wildlife Reserve in Jordan, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced on Wednesday. The EAD and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) have signed an agreement to work together on the project. […]

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Humans are at fault for the habitat loss, pesticide use and artificial light that threaten this popular insect population in Israel and around the world Zafrir Rinat | Feb. 12, 2020 The light of firefly beetles is in danger of dimming, according to an extensive new survey published in the journal Bioscience. These insects, known […]

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Here are the climate change stories our science editor didn’t report on this week – but thought you should be reading Ruth Schuster | Feb. 17, 2020 Antarctica warmer than Tel Aviv’s average on February 6 Temperature in the northern Antarctic peninsula hit an all-time high of 18.3 degrees Celsius (64.9 degrees Fahrenheit) on February […]

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