SOMA Newsletter

Author

Soma Mater
September 15, 2025

Welcome to the SOMA MATER weekly newsletter.

At SOMA MATER, we specialize in delivering comprehensive research and advisory services with a focus on Food & Water Security and Net Zero Transition in the MENA Region. In order to support our subscribing clients in navigating these topics and understanding the regional narrative, we produce monthly Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition Intelligence Reports, along with our in-depth analysis and insights.

This weekly newsletter highlights the top 3 stories from the past week in Food and Water Security and Net Zero transition, along with SOMA MATER's analysis and perspective.

How does Oman position itself as a leader in sustainable maritime practices with plans for a new green ship recycling facility?

How is Saudi Arabia addressing its position as the Arab world's largest e-waste producer, and what initiative has it launched to help manage electronic waste more effectively?

How is Abu Dhabi implementing energy efficiency initiatives to ensure improvements in its industrial sector?

Sustainably yours,

The SOMA team

Breaking Ships, Not Rules: Oman's Circular Economy Voyage

#NetZeroTransition

Oman is set to establish the Middle East's first integrated green ship recycling facility. The project, announced by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), will be implemented in partnership with Green Wheel Recycling Middle East. It will include a fully integrated port capable of dismantling over 70 ships annually and producing approximately 2 million tonnes of low-carbon steel each year.

This addresses significant regulatory pressures facing international shipping fleets. Today, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan dominate global ship dismantling, accounting for 80-90% of the world's ship recycling by gross tonnage. Ship-breaking is considered one of the world's most dangerous jobs and presents serious environmental hazards, as ships often contain toxic substances like asbestos, PCBs, and heavy metals. With approximately 500 end-of-life ships recycled annually worldwide and the phase-out of single hull oil tankers, thousands of more ships will be dismantled over the next years.

Oman is well-positioned to lead the regional circularity movement. This project is expected to stimulate the eco-friendly container manufacturing industry while supplying millions of tonnes of low-carbon steel to various sectors. Additionally, Oman is currently developing the MENA region's first Circularity Gap Report, announced in May 2025. The country's recycling industry has also grown, expanding from 30 firms in 2020 to 83 by 2025, due to Oman's increasing commitment to sustainable industrial practices and circular economy principles.

SOMA’s Perspective:

This initiative challenges the conventional recycling narratives by addressing circularity at industrial scale, where a single facility's 2 million tonnes of reclaimed steel annually demonstrates how circular principles can operate within capital-intensive global supply chains. We appreciate seeing Oman highlight a crucial shift: circularity principles are now being embedded in industrial policy rather than remaining confined to consumer-facing initiatives (like water bottles and plastic bags).

Sources:

Ctrl+Alt+Recycle: Saudi's Move Against E-Waste Dominance

#NetZeroTransition

Saudi Arabia is the largest e-waste producer in the Arab world. It generates 595,000 tons (16.3 kg per capita) or 21% of the region's total. The Kingdom has recently partnered with the International Telecommunication Union to launch the 'Global Toolkit for Policy and Regulation Practices for E-Waste Management' to offer governments a pragmatic blueprint for crafting national legislation. It will illustrate effective policymaking, financing mechanisms and regulatory compliance.

Global e-waste crisis continues to escalate. Out of the 62 million tonnes generated globally in 2022, only 22.3% entered formal recycling channels. Projections suggest this could grow to 82 million tonnes by 2030, while recycling rates may drop to 20%. The environmental toll is considerable: a single mobile phone battery can pollute 600,000 gallons of water, whilst the 53.6 million tonnes of discarded electronics in 2019 harbored some 50 tonnes of mercury and 71,000 tonnes of hazardous brominated flame retardants.

The Arab region faces unique e-waste challenges, with volumes rising from 1.8 to 2.8 million tonnes in the last decade and only a mere 0.1% being properly managed. Studies show that a higher GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in Arab countries correlates with increased per capita consumption of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE-POM). Qatar leads at 24.9 kg per capita and Egypt generating 1.1 million tonnes overall.

SOMA’s Perspective:

GDP growth's direct link to e-waste shows the need to integrate circular principles into economic development. Toolkits alone fail to address consumption patterns and disposal attitudes. True progress requires making circular economy central to economic strategy, not just an environmental concern. Until e-waste becomes an economic policy priority rather than just an environmental regulation, the gap between sustainability commitments and environmental realities will continue to widen.

Sources:

Energy Makeover: Abu Dhabi's Energy Detectives Help Industries Find Their Hidden Watts

#NetZeroTransition

Abu Dhabi's Department of Energy launched the 'Energy Efficiency Accelerators in the Industrial Sector' initiative, targeting 100 establishments to enhance energy and water efficiency across its industrial landscape. It will offer companies specialized technical evaluations at no financial cost, helping them identify operational improvements that reduce environmental impact. This initiative is particularly significant as the metals sector alone consumes over 51% of electricity and 26% of water in Abu Dhabi's non-oil industrial sectors.

The program begins with initial on-site assessments and progresses to detailed evaluations that identify inefficiencies. Participating facilities receive thorough consumption trend analyses, technical recommendations, and roadmaps for enhancement across major industrial fields including construction materials, food and beverages, metals, paper, rubber, plastics, and chemical and pharmaceutical industries. 12 facilities have been assessed, 14 more are in process, with targets to evaluate 50 facilities by the end of 2025.

This aligns with research findings on effective environmental governance. A study of 20 Asian economies (2002-2021) found that government effectiveness significantly promotes renewable energy transitions. Yet is also highlighted that technological solutions alone—such as fintech—show no significant impact without strong governance frameworks. The Abu Dhabi initiative exemplifies the study’s policy recommendation that strengthening governance through dedicated institutions, incentives for clean technology, and long-term transition planning is essential for meaningful environmental progress.

SOMA’s Perspective:

By directly engaging with industrial giants—especially the metals sector that consumes over half of the emirate's industrial electricity—Abu Dhabi demonstrates an understanding that meaningful transitions require working with major stakeholders rather than around them. This program is promising because it aligns with research confirming that governance frameworks—not just technological innovation—drive successful environmental transitions.

Sources:

SOMA MATER is writing Intelligence Reports on the topics of Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition. If you’d like to know more, contact us through the link below:

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