The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has improved its standing in the global low-carbon transition, with its Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Index score rising to 41.5 in 2024 from 37.7 in 2023.
The index, developed by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), benchmarks 125 countries on climate progress across four pillars: reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing emissions. While the latest figures reflect momentum in renewable deployment and carbon management readiness, they also reveal the structural tension between Gulf climate ambitions and the region’s ongoing reliance on hydrocarbons.
The GCC’s strongest gains came in the Performance Index, which measures the adoption of emission-mitigation technologies. Scores rose from 29.7 in 2023 to 35.8 in 2024, signaling increased deployment of carbon capture, energy efficiency programs, and renewable integration. Equally significant was movement in the Enablers Index, which gauges policy readiness and institutional frameworks, with scores advancing to 47.2 from 45.6. Together, the improvements underscore growing investment in infrastructure and governance systems that support the circular carbon economy model. Yet, despite this progress, the GCC still trails behind global leaders such as the EU, where comprehensive regulatory frameworks and higher renewable penetration drive stronger overall scores.
One area of rapid advancement is renewable capacity. GCC states accounted for 0.43 percent of global installed renewable capacity in 2024, compared to just 0.03 percent in 2015. The scale-up—though still modest in global terms—illustrates how utility-scale solar and wind projects, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are beginning to reshape the region’s power mix. Analysts note, however, that such gains are starting from a low baseline, given that fossil fuels remain the dominant energy source and that most renewable deployment is concentrated in a handful of flagship projects.
The policy landscape reveals a dual-track approach. On the one hand, the GCC Supreme Council has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action and energy diversification through the CCE model. On the other, it continues to emphasize the strategic role of hydrocarbons in energy security and economic development. This balancing act reflects the region’s dependence on oil and gas revenues, raising questions about whether the pace of decarbonization can align with net-zero commitments.
Parallel to energy initiatives, GCC officials are also prioritizing data integration and statistical harmonization as tools to manage the transition. At the 12th meeting of the GCC Permanent Committee for Statistical Affairs in Oman, members endorsed a 2026–2030 strategy aimed at building a “smart and reliable” statistical ecosystem. The plan includes the bloc’s first Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report, expanded trade and infrastructure databases, and the integration of big data, AI, and digital economy metrics. According to Saudi statistics chief Fahad Al-Dossari, unifying statistical frameworks is intended to strengthen the GCC’s position in global development rankings and provide evidence-based policymaking tools.
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