$19.9m invested, 85,100 tons of GHG emissions cut: Green Sharm reaches new milestone

03 / 07 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

Egypt’s Green Sharm project has reached a new milestone, delivering 50 public and private sector projects backed by $19.9 million in investments as the country continues its drive to transform Sharm El Sheikh into an integrated green city and a leading sustainable tourism destination.

Implemented over six years in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and South Sinai Governorate, the project covers 42 square kilometers of Sharm El Sheikh’s urban area, as well as the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Ras Mohammed, Nabq and Abu Galum protected areas.

Delivering measurable climate gains:

The project has generated significant environmental results, reducing an estimated 85,100 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while accelerating the city’s transition to clean energy.

More than 4 MW of solar power capacity has been installed through projects at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, the city museum, schools, hospitals and hotels. Another 891 solar-powered streetlights have been deployed, helping increase the city’s total renewable energy capacity to around 55 MW, equivalent to nearly 18% of Sharm El Sheikh’s total electricity consumption.

Years in the making:

The latest achievements build on years of investment aimed at positioning Sharm El Sheikh as Egypt’s benchmark for sustainable urban development and green tourism.

The city’s transformation gained momentum following Egypt’s hosting of the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference and accelerated ahead of the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference in 2022, when nearly 39 green projects were implemented to prepare the city for the global summit.

Today, Sharm El Sheikh is the first Egyptian city to join the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability network, becoming the fourth Arab city to join the global alliance of sustainable cities and reinforcing its international sustainability credentials.

The city’s green transition has been supported by approximately EGP 800 million in renewable energy investments, creating around 51 MW of installed capacity. It has also introduced 145 kilometers of cycling lanes, shared bicycle schemes, sustainable transport initiatives and greater community participation in municipal solid waste management.

Blueprint for sustainable tourism:

Green Sharm is guided by the Sharm El Sheikh Sustainable Development Strategy (SESSDS), a long-term roadmap designed to establish the city as a model for sustainable tourism through integrated urban planning, renewable energy deployment, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and improved waste management.

The strategy combines policy reform, pilot investments and institutional capacity building while strengthening cooperation between government agencies, development partners, businesses and local communities. It is also intended to serve as a replicable model for other tourism destinations across Egypt.

As part of the initiative, strategic environmental assessments have been completed for the Ras Mohammed, Nabq and Abu Galum protected areas, alongside a local biodiversity strategy, a solid waste management strategy and a draft water and wastewater management strategy.

The project has also launched the Eco-Monitor application and an electronic ticketing system for South Sinai’s protected areas, expanded solar power installations in hotels and public facilities, introduced green hotel pilot projects, strengthened waste management infrastructure, and supported biodiversity conservation and ecotourism planning.

Community development has remained a central pillar of the initiative, with training programs for government staff, hotels, diving centers and local residents, alongside livelihood projects in protected areas that promote environmentally sustainable tourism.

Next phase targets broader impact:

The next phase of Green Sharm will focus on fully implementing the SESSDS through a comprehensive action plan that includes eliminating single-use plastics across 50 hotels, expanding community-led initiatives in protected areas, increasing private-sector participation and mobilizing additional international financing.

With financing exceeding $19.7 million to date and measurable progress already achieved in emissions reduction, renewable energy deployment and biodiversity protection, Green Sharm is increasingly being positioned not only as Egypt’s flagship green tourism project but also as a model for sustainable urban development that can be replicated in destinations across the country.