The second meeting of the Green Sharm Project Committee was held to follow up on the green transformation in Sharm El Sheikh

Tourist cities around the world are witnessing an increasing trend towards adopting the concepts of environmental sustainability and green development, as part of efforts aimed at achieving a balance between economic growth and preserving natural resources, which contributes to enhancing the competitiveness of tourist destinations and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.Green Transition projects are among the most prominent tools that support this trend by improving the efficiency of energy and water use, reducing emissions, and enhancing the protection of environmental systems.

In this context, Egypt continues to implement a number of pioneering initiatives and projects aimed at supporting the transition towards a green economy and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), benefiting from the unique natural and tourism potential it possesses. The “Green Sharm” project comes at the forefront of the prominent models that aim to develop the city of Sharm El Sheikh according to environmental sustainability standards, thus enhancing its position as an environmentally friendly global tourist destination.

Continuing the transformation of Sharm El Sheikh into a green city

In this context, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the “Green Sharm” project, concerned with transforming the city of Sharm El-Sheikh into a sustainable green city within the framework of the state’s trend towards green transformation, was held in the presence of Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, Governor of South Sinai, Ms. Chitose Noguchi, the resident representative of the United Nations Development Program in Egypt, Engineer Mohamed Aliwa, Director of the Green Sharm Project, and representatives of national agencies, the United Nations Development Program and international partners concerned with implementing Project.

The “Green Sharm” project is one of the pioneering projects implemented by the state in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the South Sinai Governorate, and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It aims to transform the city of Sharm El Sheikh into an integrated model of green cities and sustainable tourist destinations at the national and regional levels, by applying a comprehensive approach based on green transformation and achieving a balance between economic, social and urban development and the preservation of natural resources and diversity. Biological.

The project is consistent with a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably Goal 11 on sustainable cities and local communities, and Goal 13 on climate action, by adopting integrated environmental solutions that enhance resource efficiency and reduce emissions.

Reducing emissions and promoting green investments

The project has so far achieved tangible results in various work areas, as it has succeeded in reducing the equivalent of 85,120 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which represents significant progress towards achieving the project’s total target of 105,837 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, as well as achieving progress in reducing unintended persistent organic pollutants, which reflects the positive environmental impact of the project on the city and its surrounding areas.

The project also succeeded in stimulating the green transformation in the investment sector, through the implementation of 43 private sector projects with investments amounting to $6.3 million, in addition to 7 public sector projects with investments exceeding $13.55 million, which reflects the project’s success in strengthening the partnership with the private sector to support the path of sustainable development.

Launching of the Sustainable Development and Clean Energy Strategy

Perhaps among the most notable achievements achieved during the period 2024-2025 is the completion of the preparation of the baseline study of sustainability indicators for the city of Sharm El Sheikh, and the development of an integrated system for measuring performance and linking it to the Geographic Information System (GIS). The city’s sustainable development strategy has also been prepared and approved and officially launched, allowing accurate monitoring of indicators of energy, water, waste management, sustainable transport and biodiversity.

In the energy sector, the project succeeded in implementing a package of solar energy projects whose total capacity exceeded 4 megawatts, which included stations at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, the city museum, and a number of schools, hospitals, and hotels, in addition to installing 891 lighting poles powered by solar energy, and raising the total renewable energy in the city to about 55 megawatts, representing about 18% of the total electricity consumption.

The project also supports achieving the seventh goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean energy at affordable prices, by expanding reliance on renewable energy sources and raising the efficiency of energy consumption in public facilities and the tourism sector.

Intelligent systems for energy and solid waste management

The offer also included the implementation of the first phase of the program to support hotels in converting to clean energy, and the application of smart energy management systems (GRMS), which contributed to improving operating efficiency and reducing electricity consumption, in addition to achieving an annual production of solar energy estimated at about 105 thousand megawatt hours.

In the field of waste management, the meeting reviewed the preparation of the integrated strategy for solid waste in Sharm El Sheikh, and the implementation of pilot recycling projects in hotels, reserves, marinas and restaurants, in addition to projects for recycling oils, plastic and electronic waste, in a way that supports the transition towards a circular economy and reducing emissions.

International praise for the Green Sharm project

For her part, Chitose Noguchi stressed that the “Green Sharm” project to protect nature and support local communities represents an integrated model for sustainable development, noting that close cooperation between local communities, the government and the private sector contributed to formulating effective solutions to protect the unique ecosystems of the city of Sharm El Sheikh, in parallel with enhancing local livelihoods.

She added that the project supports the development of waste management, enhancing the efficiency of resource use, and expanding clean energy solutions and sustainable tourism practices, which contributes to building a greener and more resilient future for the city.

She stressed that the ambition is to provide an inspiring model that demonstrates the possibility of integrating environmental protection, community participation and sustainable investment to achieve long-term benefits for humans and nature alike.

In conclusion, with the increasing environmental challenges and the worsening effects of climate change, achieving a balance between development and preserving natural resources has become an urgent necessity. From this standpoint, the “Green Sharm” experience represents a practical model of how to employ sustainable planning, effective partnerships, modern technology, and green transformation to build cities that are more efficient and able to adapt to the requirements of the future.

The Earth Guards Foundation highlights green transformation projects such as the Green Sharm project, stressing that as the project continues to be implemented and the scope of its initiatives expands, Sharm El Sheikh stands out at the top of the most promising regional models in the transition towards green cities, as a development model that embodies the goals of sustainable development on the ground, and confirms that investment in the environment has become a direct investment. In the economy, quality of life, and the future of future generations.