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World Bank Suggests Pricing Cost of Air Pollution in the Middle East

A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo/File Photo
A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo/File Photo
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World Bank Suggests Pricing Cost of Air Pollution in the Middle East

A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo/File Photo
A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 12, 2018. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo/File Photo

A World Bank report suggests pricing the cost of air pollution and reforming fossil fuel subsidies and creating markets for emissions, along with offering cleaner transportation options in the Middle East.

The human and economic cost of air pollution and degraded seas and coastlines is immense, estimated to be more than 3% of GDP in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to the new report.

The report, Blue Skies, Blue Seas: Air Pollution, Marine Plastics and Coastal Erosion in the Middle East and North Africa, focuses on the degradation of "blue" natural assets in the MENA region (clean air, health seas and stable coastlines) and offers policy recommendations to reverse the threat to this natural capital.

"Polluted skies and seas are costly to the health, social and economic wellbeing of millions of people in the Middle East and North Africa region," said Ferid Belhaj, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, in a press release on Monday.

"As countries recover from COVID-19, there is an opportunity to change course and choose a greener, bluer and more sustainable growth path that has fewer emissions and less environmental degradation," he added.

To address marine plastic pollution, the report's recommendations include improving solid waste management, creating reliable market structures for recycling markets and increased collaboration with the private sector for plastic alternatives, while also reducing fossil fuel subsidies which artificially reduce the price of plastics versus alternatives.

To tackle coastal erosion, governments must better understand the drivers of erosion and determine hotspots while also embarking on integrated coastal zone management schemes and adopting nature-based solutions that protect coastlines, including dune vegetation or artificial reefs. Moreover, practices that exacerbate coastal erosion should be controlled, including effective bans for illegal sand mining, and retrofitting dams that obstruct the flow of sediment from rivers to the coasts, the report said.

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Saudi Inflation Holds Steady in May as Rents Remain Key Driver

Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
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Saudi Inflation Holds Steady in May as Rents Remain Key Driver

Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 
Aerial photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh (SPA) 

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate remained stable at 2.2 percent in May 2025, maintaining a pace close to the 2.3 percent recorded in April. The continued stability in prices signals a relative balance in inflationary pressures, despite ongoing increases in housing costs.

This resilience comes amid global economic volatility, reflecting the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s fiscal and monetary policies, particularly in controlling energy and rental prices. The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) saw a slight uptick of just 0.1 percent.

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the annual inflation rate for May was driven primarily by rising housing-related costs. Prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel sector increased by 6.8 percent compared to the same period last year. Food and beverage prices climbed by 1.6 percent, while personal goods and services saw a 4 percent rise.

Residential rents remained the most significant contributor to inflation, continuing their upward trend and exerting substantial influence on the general index. Despite this, the Kingdom’s inflation rate remains among the lowest in the G20.

Commenting on the data, Dr. Abdullah Al-Jassar, a member of the Saudi Association for Energy Economics, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s inflation levels remain comparatively low on a global scale. He said the current rate reflects the flexibility and discipline of the national economy, noting that price increases have been modest and largely under control.

Al-Jassar attributed this to effective government policies that have helped shield both the market and consumers from external shocks.

He emphasized that the inflation observed is a result of real economic activity rather than external disruptions or internal imbalances. One of the most effective tools in curbing inflation, he said, has been the government’s decision to stabilize local energy prices, even as global oil prices surged. Since fuel plays a crucial role in the production, transport, and distribution of goods and services, this policy has prevented cost increases from spilling over into other sectors such as food, construction, and housing.

Al-Jassar described this approach as a “smart policy” that successfully absorbed global inflationary shocks before they reached the end consumer.

Although residential rents jumped 8.1 percent year-on-year, he noted that the rise was gradual and primarily driven by strong demand and limited supply. He also pointed out that the Saudi riyal’s peg to the US dollar has helped protect the economy from imported inflation and reduce the cost of importing goods.

Increased competition, tighter price monitoring, and the growing presence of e-commerce were also cited as factors contributing to market stability and limiting price manipulation across various sectors.

Looking ahead, Al-Jassar suggested inflation could see a slight increase in the second half of 2025, potentially rising to between 2.5 and 3 percent. He attributed this potential uptick to seasonal factors or changes in global commodity prices. Additionally, if the US Federal Reserve moves to cut interest rates, this could lead to looser monetary policy in Saudi Arabia, boosting liquidity and consumption—factors that might put upward pressure on prices. However, he stressed that there are currently no signs of any sharp or unexpected inflationary surges.

In April 2025, the inflation rate stood at 2.3 percent, also led by a 6.8 percent rise in housing and related costs. Food and beverages saw a 2.2 percent increase, while personal goods and services were up 3.5 percent.

Month-on-month data showed that while May’s CPI rose by just 0.1 percent, residential rents continued to rise, helping push housing-related prices up by 0.3 percent. Actual rents for residences alone increased by 0.4 percent. Food and beverages inched up by 0.1 percent, while personal goods and services rose by 0.5 percent. Tobacco prices edged up by 0.2 percent.