Jordan ranks 108th globally in the Climate Perceptions Index

Weather of Arabia - The Jordan Forum for Strategies issued a statement stating that Jordan ranked "very weak" in the Climate Perceptions Index for the year 2022, as it ranked 108th in the world, according to the report of the "Social Progress Imperative" organization. This indicator aims to measure the awareness of individuals about climate change and the risks associated with it, and the extent of their commitment to work to reduce these risks. The forum said the findings help policymakers focus their efforts around the world.

Jordan performs poorly in the Climate Perceptions Index

With regard to Jordan's performance on the index axes, the forum stated that Jordan's poor performance reflects its weak performance in the three axes of the index, as it ranked 104 out of 109 countries in the awareness axis, and 108 out of 109 countries in the commitment to work axis. Ranked last among 109 countries in risk perception.

In a paper issued by the Forum entitled "UN World Earth Day: Let's make it a day worth celebrating in Jordan", reference was made to the Sixth Assessment Report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in March 2023, which summarizes the latest knowledge about climate change and the most significant impacts and risks. prevalence and how to mitigate and adapt to it. According to the report, climate change has caused widespread negative effects, losses, and damage to nature and people, as these effects were distributed unevenly across countries, regions, and even economic sectors. As for the most affected economic sectors, they include agriculture, energy, and tourism.

The performance of global countries in the Climate Perceptions Index

According to the Forum, regarding the results of the index for the year 2022, Portugal was the best performing country among 109 countries, with an overall score of 68.5 / 100. It was followed by Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil, respectively.

As for the various developed countries, the forum indicated that they did not achieve good results in the index, as this can be inferred by surpassing India’s rank of 42/109, to the rank of Norway (87/109), the Netherlands (80/109), and Finland (80/109). (68/109), and America (60/109).

The performance of Arab countries in the Climate Perceptions Index

As for the performance of the Arab countries on the index, they were all weak. Although the UAE leads among the 13 Arab countries included in the index, its rank is somewhat weak, as it ranked 78/109 at the global level. Yemen ranked last on the index, with a total score of 30.6/100.

In the context of the poor performance of all Arab countries in the Climate Perceptions Index, the forum referred to the results of the 26th annual survey conducted by the global consulting firm “PricewaterhouseCoopers”, which included a survey of about 4,410 CEOs around the world in 2023.

With regard to the results of this survey, the Forum indicated that 50% of CEOs believe that the risks of climate change will have an impact on their costs in the fiscal year 2023. In preparation for facing the risks of climate change, the Forum indicated that 66% of CEOs surveyed indicated that their companies Have "finished work" or are in a "finish phase" on initiatives that will reduce emissions.

Also, 61% of the CEOs surveyed stated that their companies had "finished" or "in the process of ending" the invention of environmentally friendly products or processes. In addition, the report showed that 58% of CEOs surveyed indicated that their companies have "developed" or are "in the process of developing" strategies that contribute to reducing emissions and mitigating the risks of climate change.

In a related context, the forum also referred to a second research paper recently published by McKinsey, the global consulting company, in March 2023, under the title "Investing in the Climate: Continuing to Achieve Growth During Times of Uncertainty." According to the forum, investments in environmentally friendly projects have witnessed significant growth in their capital formation over the past few years, as the value of investments increased from $2 billion in 2012 to $271 billion in 2022.

Accordingly, the Forum indicated that the increase in the value of these investments came as a result of the launch by investors in the private equity markets of more than 330 new funds aimed at enhancing sustainability and impact (environmental, social and governance (ESG)) from 2019 until the end of 2022.

In addition, the Forum noted that, as of November 2022, about 140 countries have proposed or set net zero targets that would reduce nearly 90% of global emissions. Also, 111 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions in accordance with the initiative launched by the United States and the European Union at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) in 2021.

Climate change is the most pressing issue facing humanity today

In the conclusion of the paper, the Forum stressed that the issue of "climate change" is the most pressing issue facing humanity today. In view of the growing repercussions of climate change and its effects extending globally, the Forum stressed that addressing the risks of climate change requires intensive efforts from all governments around the world, in addition to joint work with the private sector.

In addition, the forum indicated the need for the general public to be aware of the seriousness of this issue and to take the necessary measures to change their lifestyle in order to mitigate the effects of climate change, address its risks, and adapt to it. The forum also emphasized that the general public is able to prioritize this issue and support policies that mitigate its effects.

In view of Jordan's poor performance on the Climate Perceptions Index for the year 2022, the forum stressed the need for concerted efforts by all concerned to work to increase people's awareness and awareness of the seriousness of the issue of climate change, and urge them to work to reduce these risks through various means such as media and education.

In addition, the Forum's report indicated that during the years 2010-2020, the human mortality rate from floods, droughts and storms was about 15 times higher in areas highly vulnerable to climate change than in areas less affected.

In a related context, the Forum clarified that most adaptation responses to climate change are fragmented and follow a gradual pattern in specific sectors, and that the distribution of these responses varies from one geographical region to another. Despite the progress that has been made in responding to the repercussions of climate change, the Forum has made it clear that adaptation gaps in economic sectors and regions are still uneven and widening, especially among low-income groups.

The forum referred to some information issued by the United Nations, as it stressed the need to preserve a viable climate by halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and to zero by 2050.

The forum stressed the importance of taking bold, rapid and large-scale measures by governments and private sector companies alike, noting that the transition to a low-carbon world also requires the active participation of citizens.

In addition, and in this context, the forum emphasized the ability of all individuals to help reduce global warming and take care of the planet, as they are considered part of the solution by adopting choices that are less harmful to the environment. Indicating that addressing the issue of climate change requires intensive efforts by governments around the world. It also requires the public to realize that it is a serious issue, and thus work to support public policies that reduce the risks of climate change, and take the initiative to change their lifestyle to reduce its risks.

As for the framework of the index, the forum indicated that the Climate Perceptions Index consists of 12 questions that are included in three main axes. They are the focus of awareness, awareness of risks, and commitment to action. As for the awareness axis, it measures the level of knowledge about the issue of climate change, the extent of belief that it is a real phenomenon, and the frequency of news about it. As for the second axis, it measures the risk perception axis, represented by the extent to which individuals are aware of the risks of climate change.

With regard to the third axis, which is the axis of commitment to work, it measures the extent to which individuals are willing to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors.

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