Climate change could trigger disputes in MENA: A survey by UK-based Law firm Pinsent Masons showed nearly a third of respondents forecasting the Middle East to see the most significant uptick in disputes on the back of climate change and energy transition, The Global Legal Post reported last week. The results of the energy arbitrations study it conducted with London’s Queen Mary University was announced during Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) flagship disputes event Resolve in Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

What type of disputes are we talking about? Most sources of contention are believed to be coming from the price volatility of raw materials and energy, the report said. Some 28% of respondents see price volatility as the most likely reason for energy disputes over the next five years. Price volatility in raw materials could lead to commercial uncertainty and additional disputes in the key industry, it added.

Details: Almost 29% of respondents see the Middle East seeing an acceleration in energy disputes, the report (pdf) showed. A majority of 73% see Europe as the region set to be most hit with disagreements, with 36% and 27% of respondents picking Asia and Africa, respectively. They also see disputes related to energy transition accelerating significantly in the short to medium term. This would lead to parties to disagree on the design and delivery of new technologies as new players enter the market.

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