Egypt’s sunny Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh was named Egypt’s first “Green City” by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in June, due to its commitment to low-emission development and significant investments in climate action. Once known primarily as a leisure destination, the city has since transformed into a beacon of sustainability. Sharm El-Sheikh’s green transition began long before the headlines. The city’s momentum picked up after Egypt hosted the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in 2018, drawing attention to the region’s fragile ecosystems and biodiversity. However, it was the 2022 United Nations Climate Conference (COP27) that accelerated the town’s transformation, leading to infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy adoption, and a shift towards sustainable tourism became the norm. Green Solutions Central to Sharm El-Sheikh’s sustainability transformation is a comprehensive suite of initiatives, including a 51-megawatt solar energy program, which supplies around 18 percent of the city’s electricity, offsetting thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions, ushering hotels, public facilities, and remote areas into a new era of green power. Other pursuits include the city’s expansion of cycling infrastructure with 145 kilometers of dedicated bike paths and a public…
Why The Green City of Sharm El-Sheikh is a Model for Sustainable Living
August 5, 2025
By Nadine Tag
Journalist
