Brief project description:

The project aims to turn Sharm El Sheikh into a model integrated and ecologically sustainable tourism city of national and international importance through the adoption of further low-carbon technologies, good waste management practices and a further-enhanced protection of its natural capital basis.

This will be achieved by developing an integrated Sharm El-Sheikh Sustainable Development Strategy (SESSDS) and Action Plan, with a focus on technical assistance, capacity building and demonstration of good practice for climate change mitigation, chemicals and waste prevention and management, through a series of pilot investments, organization and development of an integrated sustainable development strategy and its implementation plans, and promotion of behavioral change, in conjunction with national priorities and needs articulated by the Government.

Successful implementation of the SESSDS will require multi-stakeholder processes (MSP), where political, technical, financial, and organizational capacities as well as citizen engagement and stakeholder processes are leveraged to achieve the city’s sustainability goals. The measures introduced by the project will showcase the city as a model for replication elsewhere in Egypt, defining a new paradigm of how tourist destinations can successfully address the challenges of development growth.

The project also focuses on providing technical assistance, capacity building and demonstration of good practice for climate change mitigation, chemicals & waste management, through a series of pilot investments, and accompanied by suitable and strong regulations and enforcement.

Expected results:

Component 1: Enabling framework for a green sustainable tourism city in Sharm El Sheikh:
Supporting Sharm El Sheikh to become a model for green and sustainable tourism by developing an integrated urban strategy, including governance arrangements, inter-institutional coordination, a green tourism branding plan, and monitoring systems to track progress on sustainability goals. The component also aims to increase investment in environmental sustainability, preparing the ground for low-carbon technologies, improved waste and chemical management, biodiversity protection, and mechanisms to attract private sector financing.

Component 2: Reducing emissions in targeted urban zones through innovations and public and private partnership:
Building capacity for integrated urban planning in Sharm El Sheikh, including training staff in government, municipalities, and hotels to implement low-carbon, climate-resilient solutions. The project will pilot low-carbon technologies in public infrastructure, introduce energy and water efficiency measures and sustainable transport in hotels, and support distributed renewable energy generation. Improved waste management, green purchasing, and recycling will also help reduce GHG and UPOPs emissions and prevent plastic waste from reaching the sea.

Component 3: Promoting biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism practices:
Strengthening planning and management of marine and coastal protected areas to mitigate harmful economic practices, increasing financing through revenue generation and reinvestment, and establishing systematic monitoring of key biodiversity resources. The project will also promote community participation and benefit-sharing through biodiversity-friendly livelihoods and ecotourism, while supporting hotels and related enterprises to adopt biodiversity-friendly practices and raise awareness among staff and guests.

Component 4: Monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management:
Ensuring that the project’s progress is continuously monitored, outcomes are evaluated, and lessons learned are compiled and shared to inform future sustainable tourism and climate actions.

Project Achievements

The Sharm El-Sheikh Sustainable Development Strategy (SESSDS) directly supports Egypt’s national priorities in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and community development. By aligning with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), waste and water management goals, and renewable energy targets, the project strengthens ecosystem protection, promotes low-carbon tourism, and empowers local communities. These initiatives position Sharm El-Sheikh as a model for sustainable development, generating economic, social, and environmental benefits while enhancing Egypt’s international standing.

- SESSDS vision, mission, and strategic objectives have been endorsed by the Governor of South Sinai. The framework has been agreed upon and prepared in alignment with key stakeholders.

- The Official Launch of the SESSDS in the presence of the Governor of South Sinai, UNDP Resident Representative, and other key stakeholders.

- The Strategic Environmental Assessments for Nabq, Ras Mohammed, and Abu Galloum PAs have been completed to identify the environmental impacts of tourism activities.

- The Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has also been completed, in alignment with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

- Completion of the Solid Waste Management Strategy and six related pilot projects identified.

- Launch of the Eco-Monitor application and the electronic ticketing and permitting system for South Sinai Protected Areas.

- Official membership of Sharm El-Sheikh in the ICLEI network (1^st Egyptian city) and the fourth city in the Arab region.

- 12 hotels completed installing PV stations through the project’s PV Pilot.

- Announcement of Phase 2 of the PV Pilot.

- Announcement of the GRMS Pilot, approval of GS Committee, applications received, and agreements are being signed with four hotels.

- Continuation of income-generating capacity building workshops for the local community workshop in Gharqana Village, Nabq Protected Area.

- Series of workshops for local community women in Nabq PA on sewing techniques.

- Official launching of Gharqana village 51 housing units, local NGO and handicrafts workshop

- 8 GS committee meetings held since January 2025 including the two workshops for the SESSDS and Financing Strategy, respectively.

- Additional scope of work for tackling plastic waste.

- Benchmarking of existing monitoring systems of protected areas completed.

- A comprehensive and actionable plan to develop ecotourism in Nabq PA completed.

- Integrated local community development plan and investment plan finalized.

- Training of newly appointed staff in the Nature Conservation Sector in South Sinai.

- Training of Travco company’s tour guides on biodiversity conservation.

- Draft Water and Wastewater Management Strategy submitted. 

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