New regional climate lab launched at Partnership development for climate adaptation in Arab States conference
Community Jameel and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa at the American University in Cairo (J-PAL MENA) announced the launch of a new J-PAL Air and Water Lab in Egypt, at the Partnership development for climate adaptation in Arab States, in Cairo. The lab will join a network of Climate Labs that leverage J-PAL research insights and government partner-embedded teams to advance evidence-based policy solutions to pressing climate issues in vulnerable geographies.
George Richards, director of Community Jameel, spoke at the conference, saying, “Swift climate action is critical – now more than ever. Our commitment to promoting policies and solutions rooted in evidence aims to ensure that actions undertaken by governments have maximum impact. Our recently launched air and water lab in Egypt, in partnership with J-PAL MENA, will generate evidence to inform effective policymaking which will enhance access to clean air and water for millions of Egyptians in the face of climate change. Through this conference, we hope to support climate actors in the region to leverage more evidence in the solutions and partnerships which will drive a more coordinated response to the worsening climate crisis.”
Ahmed Elsayed, executive director of J-PAL MENA, said” “We are excited to have the opportunity to introduce more policymakers and practitioners to randomized evaluations, showcasing their role in evidence-based climate solutions at the Partnership Development for Climate Adaptation conference. Our goal is to inspire policymakers and practitioners to collaborate with us and leverage the power of data to make informed decisions for a sustainable future. We are especially proud to announce the launch of the Clean Air and Water Lab, a new initiative at J-PAL MENA that aims to co-generate evidence with government partners to improve clean air and water. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about forging more successful partnerships that will drive transformative change in climate adaptation.”
Community Jameel, an independent, global organisation advancing science and learning, and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA) at the American University in Cairo, have announced plans to launch a new J-PAL air and water lab.
In the MENA region, 90 percent of children already face high or extreme water scarcity. The new lab will offer the opportunity to institutionalise evidence-informed air and water policies into the Egyptian government and offer millions of people access to clean air and water.
Community Jameel is supporting at least five J-PAL labs focused on clean air and water – at the national government level in Egypt, at the city level in Cape Town, and at the state level in India, including Gujarat – collectively serving nearly 260 million people. It will also support two C40-led labs focused on sustainable urban planning in South and West Asia, based in Chennai, India, and Amman, Jordan. J-PAL and C40 will collaborate to leverage learnings.