GCC Strengthens Position in Global Circular Carbon Economy

Gulf Cooperation Council countries recorded a clear rise in their overall Circular Carbon Economy Index score, posting 41.5 in 2024, up from 37.7 in 2023, according to data issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf. The figures show that GCC countries posted gains in global circular carbon economy rankings, as three GCC states ranked at the top of the Middle East and North Africa region.

The index comprises two core components. The Performance Index, which gauges the deployment of emission-mitigation technologies, rose sharply to 35.8 in 2024 from 29.7 the year before. Simultaneously, the Enablers Index, reflecting readiness for the transition to a low-carbon economy, improved to 47.2 from 45.6.

Beyond metrics, GCC-Stat data underscores a marked leap in renewable energy infrastructure. The GCC’s share of global installed design capacity for renewable energy plants climbed to 0.43 per cent in 2024—up from a mere 0.03 per cent less than a decade prior.

The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council emphasised its commitment to energy transition goals—namely energy security, economic development, and climate action—highlighting continued investment in hydrocarbon sectors alongside sustainability efforts. Member states are pursuing the four tenets of the circular carbon economy: reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing emissions.

Such comprehensive progress reflects growing regional momentum. By improving across both mitigation technologies and enabling frameworks, the GCC has strengthened its ability to support sustained decarbonisation and aligns with GCC strengthens position in global circular carbon economy at the heart of that shift.