Hossam Awad: Egypt Makes Rapid Strides Toward Green Transition and Sustainability

Hossam Awad: Egypt is taking rapid steps towards green transformation and sustainability

The Energy and Environment Committee of the House of Representatives has never been immune from what is happening in the petroleum, electricity, and environmental sectors,, which is the trilogy of the cosmic burden that led the world into the dark tunnels of climate change, into which the world is sliding rapidly in recent years, and although the picture appears bleak to everyone, especially when you read scientific research specialized in the impact of climate change on the universe, humans, plants, and even The seas and oceans, but we still cling to the hope that Representative Hossam Awadallah, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee in the House of Representatives, always broadcasts in his press interviews, as well as his side discussions about the situation in Egypt, especially with regard to moving forward towards implementing the state’s vision in the field of green transformation and sustainability. Because the Energy and Environment Committee oversees the three most important ministries related to all environmental issues, it is the most familiar with all of these issues. In terms of vision, time frame for implementation, and craftsmanship of performance.

Magazine “Earth Guards” had an exclusive interview with MP Hossam Awadallah, in an attempt to anticipate some indications about a group of events and decisions that have been taken in Egypt recently.

How do you see the state’s efforts to shift towards a green economy, environmental sanitation efforts, new and renewable energy, and sustainability issues that are a priority in Egypt’s Vision 2030?

The truth is that we can never deny the accelerated efforts on the part of the government to shift towards agreen economy, through a scientific strategic plan with clear definitions and goals, and on top of those goals and steps, encouraging and supporting many investment activities related to green energy, and taking many measures that reduce the time and effort required to obtain the necessary approvals and licenses, In addition to activating the system of non-tax incentives and other measures that will enhance local and foreign investments, especially during the period of crisis that the world is facing.

And we will not forget how the political leadership taught us that real opportunities lie in crises, and this became clear in the state’s insistence on continuing the implementation of major projects, cities, tunnels, roads and bridges, at the height of the spread of the Corona virus wave, and at a time when the most powerful European and global economies were closed, but the president made the decision to continue to move the economy, and workers benefit from the movement of the economy and society as a whole, and it is certain that the international praise with interest Egypt’s transition towards a green economy is in line with the global vision of preserving the environment and working to combat climate change.

Since we in “Earth Guards” magazine care about sustainability and Egypt’s Vision 2030, how do you evaluate the projects that were implemented in the last 8 years on the level of environmental commitment and sustainability?

There is no doubt that there is great interest from the state in projects that preserve the ecosystem, and we have reached a remarkable level of achievement in the trend towards clean energy, as more than 20 percent of the energy produced in Egypt has been achieved so far, from renewable or clean energy, before reaching the time frame specified in the strategic plan, and soon we will reach 40 percent of our use of renewable energy, and we cannot neglect talking about the Benban solar energy project as the largest station in Africa. And the Middle East, and Egypt has a tendency to pursue the issue of replacing clean energy strongly, and the private sector has also advanced at an accelerated pace in producing clean energy, and we now have companies competing with international companies in that field, which heralds that we may exceed the target in the state’s plan in 2035, God willing.

Do you think that the major projects adopted by the state and the many initiatives, most notably the “Decent Life” initiative, as well as new cities and agricultural projects – take into account the rules of sustainability in their implementation?

Indeed, All the projects that are being implemented now fall under the name “sustainable projects.” For example: If we talk about the canal lining project, which is a simple example that many may underestimate, but it takes into account all the conditions of sustainability, in terms of optimal use of water, preserving it from evaporation, and reusing drain water, by treating it dually or triplet, then there are many benefits to be achieved. Achieving it through a project that many may think is of no real benefit, and the same is true in road and bridge projects, and other projects that are implemented with the highest degree of efficiency, as well as taking into account their environmental dimension.

What is the significance of Egypt hosting the World Conference«COP27», and what is the direct impact of the presence of such a conference on the ground Egypt?

Egypt’s hosting of this global conference indicates the importance of Egypt’s regional role and the extent of its interest in sustainable development projects and environmental preservation. We, as a country, have a strong role in this regard. We also represent the continent of Africa in this conference, speak on its behalf, and negotiate for all African countries to obtain the greatest possible amount of gains. This is the regional role assigned to Egypt, and to which all African countries place great confidence, given Egypt’s precedents in this. The issue is – especially in recent years – and Egypt’s involvement within Africa in projects, investments and all other forms.

As a representative in Parliament, do you think that the presence of such a conference in Egypt will impose obligations on us that may disturb or affect the Egyptian economy?

 I do not believe that there are obligations that the presence of the conference on our soil could impose, that might in any way affect or strain the economy; Because we already have an existing system that we follow in accordance with environmental law, and there is strict oversight in order to maintain it, and there is an approach followed by ministries. We have a special ministry for the environment and laws that regulate and periodically follow up on what is happening. Therefore, Egypt’s hosting of«COP27» will not affect us or oblige us more to deal with the environment, but our intense preparation to receive presidents and world leaders in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh will change the face of the city, especially after the state decided to declare it a green city, as well as the tourist and archaeological areas that are preparing for delegations to visit, this preparation and development in itself. It is considered one of the most important gains that Egyptians must preserve and adhere to the rules of its sustainability.

Will we gain gains in financing environmentally friendly projects? Or has the government’s plan not yet become clear in this context?

 The government’s plan in this regard has not yet become clear, but I believe that the presence of such a conference in Egypt at this time will benefit from it.

As Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee in the House of Representatives, how do you evaluate the 3 ministries: Environment, Petroleum, and Electricity?

 The performance of the three ministries is outstanding and everyone sees that… but there are some minor negatives, and here comes our role in guidance, but in the general framework the three ministries are working as we see, and their efforts are clear on the ground, and the achievements of the three ministries appear to us all like the sun. The Ministry of Electricity has been able, over the past eight years, to transform the electricity deficit into a surplus that can be exported or linked with neighboring or sister countries, by building more generating stations. Electricity, and the development of new energies and introducing them to the network, which is a wonderful effort under the supervision of the political leadership, in addition to delivering electricity to all villages and hamlets in the Decent Life Project, in addition to Egypt signing the agreement to issue green bonds. It is the first agreement of its kind in the Middle East and Africa region, to refinance 6 stations of the Norwegian renewable energy company SCATEC.

The Ministry of Petroleum will not be able to enumerate its achievements, starting with the discovery and exploration in(Zohr Field), and the petroleum discoveries that drew the world’s attention to Egypt, leading to self-sufficiency in gas and exporting it in a manufactured form, not raw as in the past, and ending with mining, gold and petrochemical projects. They are all projects that we cannot enumerate or estimate the size of. Its magnitude contributed to supporting the economy, helped the Egyptian state stand firm in the face of the crises that struck many countries, and also contributed to the high rate of national growth at the same time.