100 thousand dinars to support innovative scalable climate solutions
Amman4 min read
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The Kingdom is moving towards testing innovative climate solutions, with the allocation of 100 thousand dinars to fund two solutions within the 'Nature' project, to address the repercussions of climate change, particularly heat waves, sudden floods, and water scarcity.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Engineer Shurouq Abu Talib, said that the priority is to transition from planning to implementation, by testing solutions and building evidence on their effectiveness and scalability, and enhancing partnerships that support investment in them.
She explained that the two selected solutions will move to the testing phase with financial, technical, and operational support, with the aim of measuring their feasibility and impact in the local context, in preparation for considering opportunities for expansion and investment.
11 solutions out of 101 applications
The National Forum for Climate-Smart Innovation was the culmination of the 'ClimateTech' program implemented in partnership with Al-Hussein Technical University through 'The CORE', after selecting 11 innovative solutions out of 101 applications.
The selection was made according to criteria that included response to climate challenges, feasibility and scalability, innovation and expected impact, in addition to the business model and team capabilities.
The selected teams received technical and advisory support to develop their prototypes and increase their readiness for the market and investment, before presenting their solutions to representatives of the government, private sector, investors, funding entities, and development partners.
Abu Talib confirmed that the Ministry is also following up on the rest of the participating projects, to explore networking and partnership opportunities that help promising solutions to continue and evolve according to their technical and financial needs.
Water and agriculture at the forefront of risks
Water, agriculture, food security, and health are among the most affected sectors by climate change in Jordan, along with infrastructure, ecosystems, tourism, and heritage.
Abu Talib pointed out that the update of the Nationally Determined Contributions document NDC3.0 includes an assessment of climate vulnerability and risks to identify priority areas and sectors.
The main risks include heat stress and water scarcity on agriculture in the lowlands, drought and degradation of pastures in the desert, and heat waves and sudden floods in a number of cities, tourist sites, and heritage sites.
Adaptation measures focus on enhancing early warning and preparedness, improving water use efficiency and rainwater harvesting, supporting drought and heat-tolerant agriculture, integrating climate risks into planning and infrastructure, and enhancing health preparedness.
Projects to address risks
The Ministry of Environment, in cooperation with national authorities, municipalities, and development partners, is working to translate these priorities into field interventions.
In this context, the 'Jahed' project in Irbid, Ramtha, and Al-Azraq supports the development of climate information, early warning, and community preparedness, along with interventions for rainwater harvesting and reuse of gray water in schools, mosques, and residential buildings.
The 'Ghayth' project in Irbid and Mafraq targets water scarcity and sudden floods through rainwater management, nature-based solutions, and green infrastructure.
Climate finance is a priority
At the international level, Jordan is focusing on its participation in the 31st Conference of the Parties in Antalya on converting climate commitments into implementable projects, with priority given to adaptation, water and food security, and enhancing the resilience of communities to face risks.
Abu Talib said that Jordan seeks to enhance access to facilitated and predictable climate finance, along with technology and capacity building, to support the implementation of its national priorities.
The importance of this approach lies in linking innovation with finance and investment, so that promising solutions move from the trial phase to wider application when their feasibility is proven, thereby enhancing the ability of Jordanian communities and the economy to face the repercussions of climate change.
