The Cumulative Value of the OCRI Partnership: A Transformative Shift in Arab Climate Journalism

By Ahmed SabaaEllail (Egypt)

At a time when the climate crisis is accelerating and extreme weather events increasingly threaten communities across the Middle East and North Africa, the partnership between the Open Climate Reporting Initiative (OCRI) of the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) and ClimateInArabic has emerged as a true turning point. This collaboration goes beyond training journalists—it has built an integrated system that encompasses in-depth investigative production, an expert network to counter misinformation, and interactive dialogue platforms. Together, these elements have fundamentally changed how environmental and climate issues are covered in Egypt and the wider Arab region.

Since its launch in 2023, the partnership has produced 10 major investigative reports published on leading platforms and reached millions of readers, effectively raising public awareness and paving the way for policy change.

Building Journalistic Capacity: From Training to Investigative Production

The partnership began with a training workshop in August 2023 that brought together 18 journalists from 13 diverse media outlets, including 9 independents. The programme went beyond imparting core skills—such as data tracking, cross-border investigation, and tackling complex climate issues—to providing direct financial and technical support for 14 investigative reports and more than 20 technical meetings with 15 experts.

Journalists used this support to uncover critical issues such as water pollution and mass fish deaths in major Egyptian lakes, energy and recycling challenges, and the spread of counterfeit pesticides. This approach elevated environmental coverage from surface-level stories to accountability-driven investigations. The resulting reports were published on Al-Manassa, Cairo 24, Raseef22, Taqa, and ClimateInArabic, reaching a combined audience of over 12 million followers.

Real-World Impact: Public and Policy Reactions

These investigations were not just words on paper—they provoked immediate reactions and tangible outcomes. One report on fish deaths in a major Egyptian lake, for instance, gained coverage on Cairo & The People (Cairo Wal Nas), a popular TV show with millions of viewers, where the journalist was hosted live to discuss responsibility and implications. Such public pressure often precedes environmental policy change, as seen in prior cases where investigative journalism spurred reform.

Several participating journalists also received international recognition—such as Amr Khan, who won at the Arab Journalists Forum, and Alaa Omara, who covered COP28 in Dubai—demonstrating the partnership’s lasting impact within newsrooms and its role in inspiring a new generation of environmental reporters.

Expert Network and “Climate Club”: A Model to Combat Misinformation

Among the partnership’s most notable achievements was the creation of the first Arabic-language expert network, composed of more than 39 specialists from Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco. Covering fields from climate policy and renewable energy to irregular migration and green economics, the network provides comprehensive profiles and direct contact channels for journalists, helping close information gaps and counter misinformation.

The “Climate Club” added three hybrid seminars attended by 250 participants, featuring recorded sessions, a monthly newsletter, and a WhatsApp channel for opportunities—all fostering an interactive space connecting journalists and experts. These elements built essential regional cooperation in climate communication, contributing to a significant increase in website traffic.

Lessons Learnt and Future Outlook

The partnership underscored the need for longer production cycles (around six months), increased funding and mentorship, and a preference for in-person workshops to strengthen networks. Today, the network continues to grow, with multiple requests for additional training, confirming its sustainability.

This partnership is not a temporary success, but rather a foundation for robust climate journalism capable of driving sustainable policy shifts across the Arab region.