This book addresses a critical gap in understanding net-zero strategies and sustainability practices in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), exploring their intersection with data innovation, climate risk, climate governance, firm performance, firm risk, greenwashing, and green finance. In doing so, the book demonstrates how data innovation plays a crucial role in advancing net-zero goals by enabling organizations to optimize resource usage, identify emission hotspots, and improve operational efficiency through advanced data analytics, machine learning, and AI. The book underscores the need for vigilance against greenwashing, emphasizing transparent reporting practices and robust verification mechanisms to uphold credibility and trust in sustainability claims. Providing new insights provided by a diverse set of contributors, including industry leaders and policymakers, the book highlights the integration of financial and environmental sustainability into net-zero initiatives, emphasizing elements such as carbon accounting, biodiversity accounting, and economic resilience. This perspective is relatively unexplored, especially in comparison to other developed regions, making the book a pioneering resource in identifying and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities present in the MENA region in the global fight against climate change. With both theoretical and empirical studies, practical case studies, industry analyses, and policy evaluations, the book presents a comprehensive overview of how net-zero strategies can be effectively implemented to enhance sustainability practices, both regionally and globally. It is relevant to both scholars and policymakers in areas of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity, focused on the means of transition toward a low-carbon future.
