Middle Eastern governments must do more to tackle air pollution, experts say, with fuel subsidies and poor public transport the cause of poor air quality in many major cities.
Air pollution is a major health hazard across the globe, with the World Health Organisation stating that in 2019, 99 per cent of the world’s population lived in places where the institution’s air quality guidelines were not met.
An estimated 4.2 million people die each year from conditions links to outdoor air pollution, according to figures published by the WHO, with much of the problem caused by traffic emissions.
Alongside East and South-East Asia, the Middle East is one of the most acutely affected regions, with levels of pollutants such as particulate matter among the highest in the world.
A 2018 WHO report with data from major Middle Eastern cities reported that average levels of PM10s (particulate matter up to 10 microns in diameter) in major cities ranged from just over 50 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre) in Tehran to more than 250 µg/m3 in greater Cairo.
Many, many more people die from air pollution than from violence in the Middle East … Air pollution is on a par with tobacco in terms of public health problems
Prof Jos Lelieveld,
researcher
This compares with the WHO’s recommended maximum yearly average, based on updated guidelines published in September, of 15 µg/m3, down from the previous recommendation of 20 µg/m3.
The Middle East has levels of particulate matter up to 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) that are similarly well above the WHO’s new recommended maximum yearly average of 5 µg/m3. The previous recommended figure was 10 µg/m3.
Health consequences
According to WHO figures for 2016, the Eastern Mediterranean region, which the organisation defines as including the Middle East and much of North Africa, has average PM2.5 levels of just over 51 µg/m3 — more than 10 times the new recommended limit. Potential effects on residents are significant and include an increased risk of lung cancer.
“Particle pollution has a strong impact on human health, and PM2.5 pose the greatest risk,” says Salman Zafar, founder of EcoMena, an environmental consultancy in Qatar.
“Particulate matter can move into the lungs and may also enter into the bloodstream, affecting both the lungs and heart. The potential human health risks of PM2.5 include heart attacks, asthma attacks and bronchitis.”
In Egypt, health problems caused by poor air quality lead two million people each year to seek medical treatment, according to government figures cited by the World Bank.
Traffic problems in the greater Cairo area, home to more than 19 million people, are acute even by regional standards, partly because fuel subsidies and poor public transport have encouraged car use.
Vehicles and dust major sources of pollution
As is the case elsewhere in the Gulf, road vehicles remain a significant source of pollution in the UAE, with more than three million vehicles using the country’s roads despite heavy investments in public transport, such as the Dubai Metro.
Aside from vehicle emissions, other major sources of PM2.5 in the Middle East include power plants, various industrial facilities and sand storms, the last of which may be affected by climate change, although current evidence is unclear.
Dr Diana Francis, a senior research scientist and head of the Environmental and Geophysical Sciences laboratory at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, says that from between about 2000 and 2010, dust emissions increased, but then fell back the following decade.
“Dust emissions are very sensitive to climate change but we still need to understand the degree of contribution and the weight of each factor in order to be able to predict their behaviour in the future,” she says.
The region’s governments can take measures such as increasing the green cover by planting trees to mitigate the effects of dust storms and other emissions, according to Dr Francis.
“This acts on both dust emissions, by cutting the available erodible surface, and on climate change itself by increasing the uptake of CO2 by plants, and decreasing the temperature due to vegetation’s cooling effects,” she says.
The 'black cloud'
Burning rice straw has made a significant contribution to Cairo’s pollution, creating what is called the “black cloud”, although in recent years there have been efforts to reduce the problem.
“They do this in the Nile Valley. This produces an enormous amount of air pollution that’s blown into the city”, says Prof Jos Lelieveld, who researches Middle East air pollution and climate change at The Cyprus Institute research centre in Nicosia, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany.
“Many, many more people die from air pollution than from violence in the Middle East … Air pollution is on a par with tobacco in terms of public health problems.”
Other regions of the world have shown that progress can be made, but it will be slow, especially if — as Prof Lelieveld describes the situation in Europe — “there’s no political will” to deal with the problem.
Even now, more than three decades after the European Union introduced clean air legislation, about 400,000 people are thought to die each year in Europe because of air pollution. Similarly, it is “not going to be an easy” problem to solve in the Middle East.
“This is the danger — people get resigned to it. It’s such a difficult problem, they don’t do anything. But I believe more can be done”, says Prof Lelieveld.
Environmental alternatives
Although the UAE is building the Gulf’s first coal-fired power plant, the Hassyan Clean Coal Project in Dubai will not be a major source of particulate emissions in the way that is typical of coal-fired power stations.
The Middle East as a whole has already invested heavily in solar power, which does not generate harmful emissions, with regional capacity set to reach 8.3 gigawatts (GW) next year.
This could be part of what Mr Zafar described as the “steady transition to a low-carbon economy” needed to tackle the increases in PM2.5 levels in the Middle East.
“Adoption of renewable energy systems, stricter emission norms for cars, promotion of electric cars, stringent pollution control in industries and creation of more green spaces in cities are some of the ways to reduce particulate pollution,” he says.
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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
Top tips to avoid cyber fraud
Microsoft’s ‘hacker-in-chief’ David Weston, creator of the tech company’s Windows Red Team, advises simple steps to help people avoid falling victim to cyber fraud:
1. Always get the latest operating system on your smartphone or desktop, as it will have the latest innovations. An outdated OS can erode away all investments made in securing your device or system.
2. After installing the latest OS version, keep it patched; this means repairing system vulnerabilities which are discovered after the infrastructure components are released in the market. The vast majority of attacks are based on out of date components – there are missing patches.
3. Multi-factor authentication is required. Move away from passwords as fast as possible, particularly for anything financial. Cybercriminals are targeting money through compromising the users’ identity – his username and password. So, get on the next level of security using fingertips or facial recognition.
4. Move your personal as well as professional data to the cloud, which has advanced threat detection mechanisms and analytics to spot any attempt. Even if you are hit by some ransomware, the chances of restoring the stolen data are higher because everything is backed up.
5. Make the right hardware selection and always refresh it. We are in a time where a number of security improvement processes are reliant on new processors and chip sets that come with embedded security features. Buy a new personal computer with a trusted computing module that has fingerprint or biometric cameras as additional measures of protection.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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