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By analyzing both the symmetric and asymmetric impact that economic globalization has on CO2 emissions, the purpose of this article is to investigate whether or not the MENA area is becoming more carbonized as a result of globalization. We develop a comprehensive econometric analysis based on the panel ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag) and NARDL (non-linear panel autoregressive distributed lag) models, as well as a battery of tests, including cross-sectional dependence tests, second generation unit root tests, and cointegration tests, using a panel dataset that includes seventeen MENA countries over the 1980–2016 period. The findings point to both linear and non-linear effects of economic globalization on CO2 emissions in the long term. These effects are distinct for trade and financial globalization, as well as for oil-exporting and non-oil-exporting MENA nations. Policymakers in the region might draw valuable insights from these data with regard to policies pertaining to decarbonization and economic openness.