GCC Strengthens Low-Carbon Transition, Endorses New Regional Data Strategy

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reinforced its position as a regional leader in the global energy transition, with its Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Index rising to 41.5 in 2024 from 37.7 in the previous year, according to data from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC).

The index, which benchmarks 125 countries on progress toward net-zero emissions, reflects advancements across the GCC in implementing the four pillars of the circular carbon economy model: reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing emissions.

The latest findings show notable gains in both key components of the index. The Performance Index — measuring the use of emission-mitigation technologies — climbed to 35.8 in 2024, up from 29.7 in 2023. The Enablers Index, which assesses readiness for a low-carbon economy, also improved to 47.2 points compared to 45.6 a year earlier.

Renewable energy expansion remains a central part of the Gulf’s strategy. The region’s share of global installed design capacity for renewable energy plants has increased significantly, reaching 0.43 percent in 2024, compared with just 0.03 percent in 2015. This progress highlights the GCC’s growing role in the global push toward clean energy adoption.

The GCC Supreme Council has reaffirmed its commitment to balancing energy security, economic growth, and climate action through sustainable investments, including in hydrocarbons. Officials stressed that energy diversification and emissions reduction are central to achieving long-term sustainability while safeguarding the region’s economic resilience.

Alongside its climate commitments, the bloc has also launched a new statistical strategy for 2026–2030, aimed at strengthening data systems to support policy development and regional integration. The strategy was endorsed during the 12th meeting of the GCC Permanent Committee for Statistical Affairs, held from September 3 to 5 in Jebel Akhdar, Oman.

The roadmap includes plans for the GCC’s first report on progress toward the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, enhancements to trade and infrastructure databases, and the introduction of statistics covering big data, the digital economy, and emerging technologies.

Saudi Arabia’s President of the General Authority for Statistics, Fahad Al-Dossari, underscored the importance of aligning statistical frameworks with global standards. “Unifying GCC statistical efforts to keep pace with global changes is vital to bolster growth and improve the region’s standing in international reports,” he said, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

The meeting concluded with recommendations to expand knowledge exchange, strengthen statistical infrastructure, and invest in capacity-building programs across member states, underscoring the GCC’s dual commitment to climate action and data-driven policymaking.