The Arab world needs to invest in science research that focuses on a shift to green economies, suggests Najib Saab, environmentalist and secretary general of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED), in a commentary piece last week on SciDev.Net.

Saab hopes the Arab Spring should be the start of reform that clamps down on corruption and waste of natural resources, which should lead to substantial economic gains. The region currently focuses on exporting oil, gas and certain raw materials, which yield an increase in GDP but do not create enough jobs to satisfy the millions of unemployed youth across the region.

Saab suggests several measures that should have positive effect on the economy, such as shifting to sustainable agricultural practices, which could save up to US$114 billion annually and create millions of jobs in rural poorer communities. Reducing energy subsidiaries and greening existing buildings in the overflowing cities of the Arab world should also save billions. He argues that science and research policies should be employed to help this transition to green economies.

Many developing countries are often wary that investing in green economies will come with a substantial initial investment but Saab stresses it will bring net profits to the region as a whole.

You can read the full commentary piece here.