Knowledge Management Index For Better Climate Change Management: A Case Study in the Egyptian Petroleum Sector

Abstract

Climate change presents significant challenges to organizations, requiring adaptation and mitigation strategies grounded in climate-related knowledge and technological innovation. The petroleum sector faces increasing regulatory and environmental pressures. In response, this study introduces the Climate Change Knowledge Management Index (CKI), a novel metric designed to assess climate knowledge preparedness by integrating energy, environmental, and knowledge management systems. The CKI provides a standardized framework for evaluating how petroleum organizations manage, formalize, and apply climate-relevant knowledge in strategic decision-making. The index was applied to two Egyptian petroleum companies with differing knowledge management approaches, revealing notable differences in climate resilience. The company with formal knowledge management practices scored 0.283, demonstrating stronger integration, lower emissions, and more informed climate decisions. In contrast, the comparison company scored 0.133. Both scores were benchmarked against an optimal value of 0.606. These findings highlight the role of structured knowledge management in strengthening climate resilience and supporting strategic choices across high-emission sectors. The CKI equips decision-makers with a practical tool to evaluate and improve knowledge governance, particularly in developing economies. Its diagnostic capacity offers valuable guidance for sectors transitioning toward sustainable operations.