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Transforming the Middle East’s Energy Landscape with AI

Jun 21, 2026

Rooftop air conditioning units on a gravel surface with a mountainous backdrop under a clear sky. by PURPLE24 via Pexels

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Intelligent sustainability and resilience: Transforming the Middle East’s energy landscape with AI

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ME PoV Spring 2026 issue

Deloitte – 21/06/2026

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Intelligent sustainability and resilience

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Navigating complexity in the Middle East energy sector

The Middle East holds a unique and influential position in the global energy landscape. Long regarded as the world’s hydrocarbon powerhouse, the region now stands at a strategic crossroads. National visions across the Middle East are increasingly focused on diversifying energy portfolios, enhancing resilience, and embedding sustainability at the heart of energy systems. These ambitions signal a deliberate and strategic approach toward balancing economic growth, societal value, and environmental responsibility.

Recent geopolitical disruptions, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed vulnerabilities in regional energy supply chains. At the same time, global climate commitments and sustainability mandates are redefining energy strategies. Challenges such as water scarcity, extreme heat, and the pressures of integrating renewable energy sources are adding further complexity. Modernizing transmission grids and improving energy efficiency are now urgent imperatives to ensure stable, adaptive, and secure supply.

Meeting these demands calls for innovative solutions capable of safeguarding operational continuity, reducing environmental impact, and supporting economic diversification. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful enabler in this transformation. By harnessing AI-driven insights and technologies, Middle Eastern governments and energy companies can optimize operations, strengthen resilience, and accelerate the transition toward intelligent, adaptive energy systems that deliver value across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

How can leaders harness AI to build resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty?

The recent disruptions in the Middle East region highlighted the challenges GCC oil and gas companies face in maintaining smooth operations amid geopolitical uncertainty, emphasizing the potential value of adaptive and resilient operational strategies. To navigate these complexities, leaders should consider prioritizing the deployment of scalable AI platforms that integrate diverse real-time data, from vessel locations and port capacities to shifting geopolitical risks, enabling dynamic rerouting of logistics, and supporting uninterrupted supply flows despite disruptions.

Investments should focus on modular AI models that enhance demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and operational scenario simulation. AI-driven demand forecasting, which combines data on energy consumption, refinery outputs, storage levels, and socio-economic factors, can provide accurate short-term predictions. This capability will help companies adjust production and distribution swiftly, reducing the risk of costly overproduction or stockouts during volatile market conditions.

AI-powered inventory management can monitor stock levels across refineries, terminals, and distribution hubs, recommending optimal allocation and replenishment schedules to prevent shortages and maintain continuity. Its ability to simulate disruption scenarios, such as partial port closures or workforce constraints, assists operators in prioritizing asset utilization, balancing efficiency with financial prudence.

Leaders should also explore investing in upskilling their workforce to interpret AI insights and fostering collaboration between IT and operational teams to facilitate seamless integration. Establishing ethical and transparent AI governance frameworks is equally important for building trust and ensuring compliance.

Pilot projects demonstrating quick wins, such as AI-enabled logistics rerouting or predictive maintenance, should be prioritized to build momentum and validate AI’s value. Strengthening cybersecurity to protect operational data remains additionally essential.

By considering these approaches, Middle Eastern energy companies have the opportunity to transform AI into a core enabler of intelligent, sustainable energy systems that are resilient to geopolitical shocks and aligned with economic and environmental objectives.

Advancing sustainability through intelligent energy systems

While operational resilience is vital, the Middle East’s energy sector is also undergoing a profound transformation driven by sustainability imperatives.

National strategies such as the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and Saudi Arabia’s Circular Carbon Economy framework exemplify the region’s commitment to reducing emissions, expanding renewable capacity, and improving resource efficiency. These frameworks reflect a growing recognition that sustainability is central to energy sector success.

AI technologies are instrumental in realizing these goals. For example, AI-driven predictive analytics improve renewable energy forecasting by accurately anticipating solar and wind generation patterns. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, enhances grid stability, and facilitates higher renewable penetration.

Beyond energy generation, AI supports efficient water management, critical in the arid Middle East, by optimizing usage and reducing waste. It also plays a key role in carbon capture and storage initiatives by helping monitor and manage emissions more effectively.

Importantly, AI enables data-driven policymaking and investment decisions. By providing granular insights into emissions, energy consumption, and economic impacts, AI helps design sustainability initiatives that are both impactful and economically viable. Practical applications such as predictive maintenance and digital twins reduce downtime and operational costs. AI-driven scenario modeling equips policymakers to evaluate trade-offs and benefits of different energy mixes and infrastructure investments, further cementing AI’s role as a strategic enabler of intelligent sustainability.

The era of intelligent sustainability: Integration, innovation, and inclusive growth

The energy sector is entering an era of intelligent sustainability, characterized by the seamless integration of advanced technologies, especially AI, that enable real-time optimization of complex energy systems. AI transcends operational efficiency to become a strategic enabler that balances energy security, emissions reduction, and economic diversification.

The success of this transformation depends on fostering ecosystems that promote innovation, collaboration, and transparency. Intelligent sustainability requires not only technological adoption but also a cultural shift towards data-driven governance and inclusive stakeholder engagement. This holistic approach ensures energy systems that are resilient, equitable, and aligned with long-term national and global goals.

Workforce development and community engagement are evolving to become more inclusive and scalable. AI facilitates workforce transitions by identifying skills gaps and tailoring training programs, helping to prepare employees for new roles in a green economy. Simultaneously, AI enhances community engagement through transparent reporting and impact measurement, ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are broadly shared and contribute to social stability alongside economic progress.

Forward-looking organizations are already investing resources to equip their employees and the communities they work with on green skills and technology, recognizing the interconnection between the two. An example of this future-focused investment is Deloitte’s Green Skills for a Green Economy training program, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), which has equipped to date thousands of corporate and academic professionals in the Middle East, with the skills needed to thrive in the transition to a more sustainable future.

A call to leadership: Seizing the AI-driven opportunity for sustainable energy transformation

The next five years will be critical for the Middle East’s energy sector. Integrated AI-driven solutions will play an essential role in balancing energy security, sustainability, and economic diversification.

According to the 2025 Deloitte Global C-suite Sustainability Report, 83% of global executives increased sustainability investments in the preceding year. Leaders recognize the business case and related benefits from corporate sustainability efforts, with revenue generation being the most frequently cited business benefit across a range of sustainability actions. Furthermore, AI and data analytics are emerging as central tools to meet emissions targets and boost operational efficiency.

For Middle Eastern economies, this presents a transformative opportunity: leveraging AI to optimize energy production and consumption, strengthen grid stability, reduce carbon intensity, and enable more agile and intelligent energy systems. Technologies like predictive maintenance, digital twins, and AI-driven scenario modeling are already reducing downtime, lowering costs, and enabling smarter policymaking.

However, technology alone will not determine success. Organizations that lead in this new era will be those that embed AI strategically across their operations, invest in digital infrastructure and workforce capabilities, and establish strong and ethical governance.

The time to move from ambition to action is now. Those who lead this transformation will not only secure their organizations’ competitive advantage but also position the Middle East as a global exemplar of intelligent sustainability in energy, delivering lasting value for their nations and the world.

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By Amro Suleiman, Director, Technology & Transformation, Artificial Intelligence & Data and Rybale Al Hage, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Lead, Deloitte Middle East

Cities Have Stood as Symbols of Economic Growth

Jun 20, 2026

Stunning aerial view of Doha’s modern skyline and waterfront, Qatar. by Ramaz Bluashvili via Pexels

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Developing smarter communities for urban growth

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Published in Business World on 19 June 2026

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Cities have stood as symbols of opportunity. They drew people seeking jobs, education, healthcare, and a chance at a better life. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted that urban areas generate roughly 80% of global gross domestic product, making them major contributors to economic growth and employment.

The UNDP also reported that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities and towns by 2050. Much of that growth is expected to take place in Asia and Africa. Without effective planning, experts argued that urban expansion can lead to congestion, environmental degradation, inequality, and limited access to basic services.

These realities have prompted policymakers to view smart community development as a strategy for addressing long-standing urban issues through better planning and stronger governance.

The phrase “smart city” might bring to mind images of digital control centers, intelligent traffic systems, connected devices, and automated public services. Yet, the true measure of a smart city is not the sophistication of its technology but the quality of life it delivers to residents.

According to UNDP, urban innovation should begin with people rather than technology. A smart city should serve as an instrument to help communities address real-world challenges and create more livable, resilient, and equitable communities.

Smart communities, on the other hand, should be seen as an ecosystem. The World Bank describes smart cities as “interconnected,” which brings people, businesses, government institutions, policies, technologies, and public services to create better development outcomes. As a result, successful smart communities require coordination across multiple sectors.

Digital technologies remain an important component of smart community development, particularly when used to improve decision-making and public service delivery. Urban planners continue to rely on remote sensing, geographic information systems, cloud computing, and data analytics to understand population trends and infrastructure needs. The UNDP reported that these tools can help both the national and local governments allocate resources more efficiently and identify areas requiring immediate attention.

The use of the Internet of Things also allows cities to gather real-time information on transportation systems and utilities. Data generated through these systems can further support traffic management, optimize energy distribution, improve waste collection schedules, and strengthen emergency response efforts.

Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, remains relevant as a tool for urban management, as data analysis can help identify patterns and improve operational efficiency across sectors.

However, experts caution against viewing advanced technologies as universal solutions. In fact, low-cost innovations, open-source platforms, makerspaces, and community-driven solutions produce meaningful results. In some cases, nature-based approaches may offer more effective responses than digital interventions.

Building integrated ecosystems

The Smart City Hexagon Tool, developed by the DAP, measures the progress of LGUs towards becoming a Smart and Sustainable Community. — Photo from dap-csf.oneradical.com

Government initiatives led by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have introduced frameworks, programs, and partnerships to support local governments in adopting innovation-driven approaches to urban development.

The country’s Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities Program has also attracted participation from local government units (LGUs). In fact, more than 90 LGUs have enrolled in the program, surpassing the government’s initial targets.

A separate survey conducted by the DILG and the World Bank found that 70% of surveyed urban local government units reported plans for smart city development, while 61% indicated that they already have existing or planned smart city projects.

Meanwhile, the Development Academy of the Philippines Center for Strategic Futures (DAP-CSF) links smart community development to goals of economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Its Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Development initiative encourages local governments to evaluate current conditions, identify opportunities, and establish long-term priorities.

DAP-CSF also has its Smart City Hexagon Tool, which, measures progress across six dimensions: smart economy, smart environment, smart governance, smart living, smart mobility, and smart people.

Across the Philippines, several LGUs have already demonstrated that smart community principles can translate into practical and efficient improvements for their residents.

In Santiago City, Isabela, local officials have used geographic information systems and data management tools to support planning and decision-making. The city has also established the Research and Innovation for Sustainable Empowerment Center, which seeks to connect research and innovation with practical solutions in agriculture, public health, education, climate action, and disaster resilience.

In Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, the local government has focused on disaster preparedness because of the municipality’s exposure to tsunami risks. Community-based initiatives supported nutritional programs that improved health outcomes among undernourished children through locally developed food technologies.

On the other hand, Cauayan City, Isabela, recognized as the country’s first smart city, has introduced digital solutions, including public Wi-Fi access, citizen identification systems, mobile applications, and programs supporting farmers.

Despite progress, the Philippines faces limited funding, gaps in digital infrastructure, data privacy concerns, and a need for stronger citizen participation, all of which continue to affect implementation efforts. The World Bank noted the need for stronger coordination among national programs and better integration of smart city initiatives into broader development plans to address these challenges.

Community participation as a defining factor

One of the strongest principles across smart communities is the importance of citizen engagement. In fact, the country’s Smart and Creative Communities framework promotes community participation in identifying challenges and generating solutions.

The DAP-CSF reported that community involvement improves the relevance of projects and increases public trust in technology-driven initiatives. Residents also possess local knowledge that can help identify needs and improve implementation outcomes.

Such engagement, the group said, encourages local governments to involve stakeholders in planning processes and to align initiatives with sustainable development objectives.

Drawing on experiences from more than 150 urban-digital initiatives across more than 90 countries, the UNDP has identified several factors that contribute to the successful implementation of smart community systems. These include policy reforms, digital literacy, community participation, cybersecurity measures, and partnerships among governments, businesses, universities, and civil society organizations.

The organization recommends extensive consultation, iterative testing, and adaptation to local circumstances for the Philippines to fully enjoy the benefits of cities.

However, the UNDP argues that urban challenges differ significantly from one community to another. A solution that succeeds in one city may not produce the same results elsewhere. Therefore, local realities, cultural contexts, and development priorities must shape national decision-making in order to develop smart communities.

— Mhicole A. Moral

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Desert Cities’ Future Takes Centre Stage at Forum

Jun 19, 2026

A stunning view of the Dubai skyline featuring Burj Khalifa with a desert foreground and clear skies. by Florian Kriechbaumer via pexels

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Desert cities’ future takes centre stage at Dubai forum

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TradeArabia News Service

DUBAI Thu, 18 Jun 2026

Desert cities' future takes centre stage at Dubai forum

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Leading architects, urban planners, government officials and sustainability specialists gathered in Dubai on the opening day of the Desert Architecture MENA Forum 2026 to discuss how desert cities can balance development with cultural preservation and environmental sustainability.

Held under the theme “Integrating Heritage with Innovation: The Future of Desert Living,” the two-day forum kicked off today (June 18) and focused on strategies to build climate-resilient communities while maintaining regional identity and heritage.

The panel discussions on the opening day examined topics including the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, regenerative urban development, climate-responsive architecture, sustainable hospitality design, high-performance building façades and the role of natural landscapes in supporting biodiversity and urban liveability.

Speaking at the launch, Ala Hason, Principal & Director of the Mena Region at HKS, said: “Desert architecture is entering a new era where sustainability, cultural identity and human wellbeing must be considered together. The region has an opportunity to lead globally by combining traditional environmental wisdom with advanced design technologies to create communities that are resilient, efficient and deeply connected to their surroundings.”

“The future of desert living is not simply about adapting to climate challenges, but about designing places where people and nature can thrive together,” he added.

The participants at the Desert Architecture MENA Forum also explored how traditional desert knowledge can help shape the cities of the future, alongside emerging technologies, innovative construction materials and smart design strategies that enhance thermal comfort, improve energy efficiency and support long-term sustainability.

It featured high-level panel discussions, expert presentations and industry innovation sessions dedicated to shaping the future of desert architecture across the Middle East and beyond.

Abdullatif Al Jasmi, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection, Qatar Museums said: “Our architectural heritage offers valuable lessons for addressing many of today’s environmental and urban challenges. Traditional desert settlements were designed with a deep understanding of climate, materials and community needs. Preserving and learning from this heritage is not only essential for safeguarding cultural identity, but also for inspiring innovative approaches to sustainable development.”

“By integrating heritage into contemporary planning, we can ensure that future generations remain connected to the stories, knowledge and values that shaped our region,” he stated.

Arthi Balasubramanian, Senior Architect, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said: “Adaptive reuse is one of the most effective ways to preserve cultural heritage while responding to the environmental and social needs of contemporary communities. By thoughtfully revitalising existing buildings, we can extend their lifespan, reduce the environmental impact of new construction, and create spaces that remain relevant for future generations.”

“The challenge is not simply to conserve the past, but to ensure that heritage continues to evolve as a living part of our cities, contributing to community identity, economic vitality and long-term sustainability,” she added.-

Climate Models Are Missing the First Warning Signs

Jun 18, 2026

A winding road stretches through the desert landscape of Aqaba, Jordan, under a clear sky. by Plastic Lines via Pexels

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Climate models are missing the first warning signs of deadly Middle East heat waves, study finds

by Hebrew University of Jerusalem

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

Climate models are missing the first warning signs of deadly middle east heatwaves, study finds

Geographical domains used in this study: Israel, Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye-Caspian, Türkiye-Loft, Sahel, and India. Credit: Weather and Climate Extremes (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100918

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Geographical domains used in this study: Israel, Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye-Caspian, Türkiye-Loft, Sahel, and India. Credit: Weather and Climate Extremes (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100918

While the world’s most advanced climate models successfully reproduce heat waves once they are underway, they consistently miss key atmospheric processes that trigger these events, potentially limiting the ability to anticipate extreme heat several days in advance.

Published in Weather and Climate Extremes, the study analyzed 11 state-of-the-art climate models used in assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The researchers compared model simulations with atmospheric observations across the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth.

The findings reveal an important distinction: Climate models generally reproduce heat wave conditions themselves, but often struggle to capture the gradual atmospheric buildup that occurs in the days leading up to extreme heat events.

The study shows that the warning signs of major heat waves can begin thousands of kilometers (hundreds of miles) away. Heat waves in the Eastern Mediterranean are not isolated weather events but rather the result of a complex chain of atmospheric processes involving circulation patterns over Europe, Turkey, India and parts of Africa. Subtle shifts in wind patterns and high-pressure systems can emerge up to a week before temperatures peak, creating an atmospheric pathway that transports warm air into the region and gradually sets the stage for extreme heat.

However, the climate models examined in the study frequently delayed, weakened or failed to reproduce these precursor signals. This suggests that important early warning processes may not be fully represented in current climate simulations.

The findings have implications beyond climate science. Heat waves are among the deadliest natural hazards worldwide and are already placing growing pressure on power grids, water resources, agriculture and public health across the Middle East and Mediterranean.

One of the most important drivers of heat wave development identified in the study is a strengthening high-pressure ridge over Turkey. Models that represented this feature more accurately also tended to better reproduce the intensity of observed heat waves.

The researchers also identified a notable connection between the South Asian monsoon and Mediterranean heat waves. Observational data indicate that atmospheric changes over India help create conditions favorable for extreme heat in the Eastern Mediterranean. Yet none of the climate models successfully captured this relationship, pointing to a potentially significant gap in how interactions between tropical and midlatitude weather systems are represented.

The study does not suggest that climate projections are fundamentally incorrect. Rather, it highlights the importance of evaluating whether climate models accurately reproduce the physical mechanisms that generate extreme events, not just their overall frequency or intensity.

A key conclusion is that models can produce realistic heat wave statistics while still misrepresenting the atmospheric processes that lead to those events. Improving the representation of these mechanisms could increase confidence in future climate projections and enhance prediction capabilities.

To address this challenge, the researchers propose a process-based framework for evaluating climate models. Instead of focusing solely on temperature outcomes, the approach examines the atmospheric dynamics responsible for generating extreme weather events.

This framework could help improve both long-term climate projections and shorter-term heat wave forecasting systems. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme heat worldwide, identifying the earliest warning signs of heat waves may become increasingly important for preparedness and adaptation efforts.

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability Through Education Initiatives

Jun 17, 2026

Teacher and student working together on colourful homework, focusing on zero-waste concept. by www.kaboompics.com via pexels

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Planting the seeds of sustainability through education

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Energy

17th June 2026

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EU-funded researchers are helping schools and universities put sustainability into practice by giving students and communities the tools to make real environmental change.

What if schools could do more than teach sustainability? What if they could test it, measure it and experience it in real time? Across Europe, students and teachers have been turning classrooms into small-scale laboratories for environmental change.

Over the past four years, schools and universities in Finland, Portugal, Romania and Spain trialled more than 60 practical interventions, from installing solar panels and monitoring energy use to planting biodiversity gardens and redesigning recycling systems.

At a primary school in Madrid, Spain, pupils and teachers turned sustainability into a hands-on challenge: saving water, cutting waste and reducing CO2 emissions through a lively second-hand clothes “market” at the school. The children even worked out the environmental savings themselves, turning maths into climate action.

Meanwhile in Tampere, Finland, secondary school students took a fresh look at what was on the lunch menu. From organising vegan food tastings to investigating the sustainability of school meals, they explored how small changes, including more vegetarian options, could make a big difference.

These initiatives were part of a wider drive across schools and universities in Europe, delivered through a four-year EU-funded research project called ECF4CLIM, which ended in December 2025.

Building momentum

What made the approach stand out was not just the initiatives themselves, but who designed them. Students, teachers, school leaders and members from the wider educational community (e.g. NGOs, municipalities, regional governments) worked together in “sustainability teams” and committees, creating solutions to challenges in their own communities.

“We developed an innovative approach that brought together citizen science and participatory research, actively involving students, teachers and the wider education community,” said Ana Prades, Head of the Sociotechnical Research Centre (CISOT) in Barcelona, part of the Spanish National Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT), who coordinated the work.

These teams and committees are important because they will help sustainability actions to continue well beyond the end of the project, added Dr Marta Almeida, environmental engineer at Instituto Superior Técnico at the Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal.

The aim was not simply to teach climate awareness, but to help educational institutions become places where sustainable thinking and action are part of daily culture. Children and adults alike were challenged to think critically about practical changes in everyday life that could improve sustainability.

Finding time in already packed curricula was not always easy. “The students are really loaded with a tight schedule in upper secondary school,” said Niina Mykrä, a researcher at the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) at the University of Jyväskylä.

The solution in Tampere was to introduce a “sustainability club” into the school day and award credit for those classes, opening up space for pupils and teachers to discuss new ideas together.

Students enjoyed the freedom to share their ideas, while a sense of teamwork encouraged discussion, creativity and fresh thinking. Rather than simply being told what to do, students and teachers learned side by side, exploring solutions together.

“It was really important for the children to have agency,” said Mykrä.

Sustainability education backed by research

An important part of the ECF4CLIM work was helping schools measure the environmental effects of their actions. Researchers gave students and staff practical advice on how to track energy use, waste, air quality and carbon footprints.

“We developed tools such as an environmental footprint calculator that allowed schools to evaluate their impacts in different categories,” said Yolanda Lechon, research professor at CIEMAT’s Department of Energy in Madrid, who co-coordinated the initiative.

The research team also provided energy efficiency kits and monitoring devices to measure temperature, humidity, indoor air quality and energy consumption inside school buildings.

For many students, the results were eye-opening. When pupils in Madrid calculated the environmental impact of producing clothing, they were shocked by the amount of water and carbon emissions it takes to produce a single T-shirt, said Lechon.

She believes this kind of hands-on learning can help sustainability feel more immediate and personal. “We felt like we were doing something with students that would help spread the message of sustainability more widely.”

Other activities turned environmental initiatives into games, with students competing to improve recycling rates or reduce waste. Digital tools, games and interactive materials were also developed to support learning.

A framework for lasting change

One of the researchers’ main goals was to help schools and universities sustain these efforts long into the future.

To support this, the ECF4CLIM team created a Roadmap to help educational communities become more sustainable in ways that fit their own local needs.

Developed through research, crowdsourcing and real-world testing in participating schools and universities, the Roadmap offers practical tools to help schools identify activities that support sustainability, as well as the barriers that may be holding them back.

It also encourages schools to think beyond isolated environmental projects and instead build a broader culture of sustainability involving students, teachers, school leaders and families.

“The youngest schoolchildren could communicate what they learnt to their families, while the university students can transfer the knowledge from the project to their future jobs,” said Almeida.

Beyond the classroom

The Roadmap builds on GreenComp, a European framework developed to help people acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to think and act sustainably in everyday life.

The ECF4CLIM researchers stress that the initiative was not only about changing individual behaviour.

“It is important to build collective competences, rather than depend just on the individual,” Almeida said. “We want to impact schools, but we also need changes to happen at a national level.”

The researchers hope the Roadmap will help other schools across Europe replicate and adapt initiatives like student-led sustainability teams, environmental monitoring and practical climate projects in their own communities.

In total, the project involved 13 schools and universities, 10 research partners and around 1 300 participants.

Schools and universities, researchers believe, can play an important role in helping younger generations respond to climate and environmental challenges – not only by providing information, but by giving students confidence that they can shape solutions themselves.

By turning schools and universities into living laboratories for sustainability, ECF4CLIM aimed to plant ideas – and habits – that could keep growing long into the future.

That momentum matters. Engaging younger generations in this way builds support for the European Green Deal among the people who will play a crucial role in turning Europe into a more climate-neutral, competitive economy by 2050.

This article was originally published in Horizon the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.

Research in this article was funded by the EU’s Horizon Programme.

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Transforming the Middle East’s Energy Landscape with AI

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Intelligent sustainability and resilience: Transforming the Middle East’s energy landscape with AI

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ME PoV Spring 2026 issue

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Like this:

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability Through Education Initiatives

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Planting the seeds of sustainability through education

.

.

EU-funded researchers are helping schools and universities put sustainability into practice by giving students and communities the tools to make real environmental change.

Building momentum

Sustainability education backed by research

A framework for lasting change

Beyond the classroom

Like this:

Transforming the Middle East’s Energy Landscape with AI

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Intelligent sustainability and resilience: Transforming the Middle East’s energy landscape with AI

.

ME PoV Spring 2026 issue

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Share this:

Like this:

Cities Have Stood as Symbols of Economic Growth

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Share this:

Like this:

Desert Cities’ Future Takes Centre Stage at Forum

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Desert cities’ future takes centre stage at Dubai forum

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Share this:

Like this:

Climate Models Are Missing the First Warning Signs

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Climate models are missing the first warning signs of deadly Middle East heat waves, study finds

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Share this:

Like this:

Planting the Seeds of Sustainability Through Education Initiatives

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Planting the seeds of sustainability through education

.

.

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EU-funded researchers are helping schools and universities put sustainability into practice by giving students and communities the tools to make real environmental change.

Building momentum

Sustainability education backed by research

A framework for lasting change

Beyond the classroom

Share this:

Like this: