How Western climate policies repeat colonial patterns in the Middle East and North Africa

A new analysis from the Carnegie Endowment argues that the global green transition is reproducing old patterns of economic dependence in the Middle East and North Africa. The article points out that Western nations, which built their wealth on fossil fuels, now push universal emission targets while directing large renewable projects in Egypt and Morocco to export power to Europe rather than serve local grids. The piece also criticizes carbon offset markets, saying major polluters buy land in developing countries for tree planting instead of cutting their own emissions. Climate finance is described as high-interest loans that burden vulnerable nations with debt rather than providing compensation for historical damage. The author calls for grants, local ownership of renewable projects, and ensuring developing countries benefit first from their own resources before the green transition can be equitable.