Good morning, climate watchers. We hope you’re enjoying what remains of your summer break (so … many … “ooo” replies). It seems we’ve hit our first slow sumer news day on the business front.

That said, the region is awash with climate-related events, with a flurry of activity in MENA, Africa and elsewhere ahead of COP27. We break those down in detail below. But first…

MORNING MUST READ- Morocco is positioning itself to be a global leader in renewables with plans for a facility that will generate 10.5 GW of solar and wind energy by 2030. It plans to export a chunk of that to Europe — and could potentially supply 8% of the UKs electricity needs if the project goes through. We break it down in today’s Project Profile, below.

One large step for regional carbon capture: The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (CCSI) opened its first MENA headquarters in Masdar City, UAE, according to a statement. “Following years of ambition, CCS [potential is] being realized in the GCC and the progress so far is promising,” CCSI global CEO Jarad Daniels said at the inauguration. “The region is well positioned to become a leader, both in the CCS market and the energy transition more broadly, and with the institute’s new regional office in Abu Dhabi we aim to be there every step of the way,” he added.

You can take a stroll at Expo City Dubai in a few days: Dubai’s popular sustainability pavilion is opening its doors to visitors starting 1 September, ahead of the Expo City opening. Expo City Dubai — the legacy site of Expo 2020 Dubai — will open on 1 October, but throughout September, visitors can buy tickets to the city’s sustainability pavilion, Terra, at AED 50 per head. Terra wants to offer real-world solutions to climate problems and claims to be a fully self-sustaining building — using some 4.9k solar panels to generate 4 GWh of clean energy per year and a greywater recycling system to reduce water usage.

HAPPENING TODAY-

The G20 Joint Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting is taking place in Bali, Indonesia. Saudi Arabia is the only country from our corner of the world that will be attending. “This will be a chance to engage in discussions on climate cooperation ahead of […] COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh,” notes a US State Department statement about special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry’s attendance of the meeting.

IRENA takes center stage right next door: In partnership with the Indonesia G20 presidency, the first-ever Investment Forum organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) kicks off today and runs for two days. The forum will focus on investment for the energy transition, looking to improve access to finance and accelerate renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia.

Coming soon, to a region near you: The next forum will focus on West Africa and take place in Nigeria before the end of 2022. We don’t yet have a date for the first MENA forum, but in advance of it, requests for MENA renewable energy project development support or access to finance can be made here.

CLIMATE DIPLOMACY- India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is heading to the UAE today to talk renewable energy, India’s news agency said. The three-day visit will focus on boosting ties in renewable energy, food security and other areas. Back in May, the two countries signed an MoU to establish a framework on climate action. On the sidelines of that meeting, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar and Indian conglomerate firm Reliance Industries had also pledged to explore agreements for collaboration in green hydrogen.

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YOU’RE READING ENTERPRISE CLIMATE, the essential regional publication for senior execs who care about the world’s most important industry. Enterprise Climate covers everything from finance and tech to regulation, products and policy across the Middle East and North Africa. In a nod to the growing geographical ambitions of companies in our corner of the world, we also include an overview of the big trends and data points in nearby countries, including Africa and southern Europe. Enterprise Climate is published at 4am CLT / 5am Riyadh / 6am UAE Monday through Friday by Enterprise, the folks who bring you Enterprise Egypt, your essential 6am and 3pm read on business, finance, policy and economy in Egypt and emerging markets.

Subscribe to Enterprise Climate here or reach out to us on climate@enterprisemea.com with comments, suggestions and story tips.

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THE BIG CLIMATE STORIES ABROAD-

#1- Death toll from Pakistan floods rises as UN chief calls for help: The death toll from the unprecedented floods in Pakistan has risen to more than 1.1k, Pakistani officials said yesterday as the UN launched an appeal for USD 160 mn to help the stricken country. The funds will provide some 5.2 mn people with food, water, sanitation, emergency education and health support, according to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres — who said the Pakistani people are “facing a monsoon on steroids” in a video message for the appeal’s launch. (Reuters | WSJ | Washington Post)

#2- SIGN OF THE TIMES- More ice is melting, causing the sea to rise twice as much as expected: The climate-induced loss of 120 tn tons of Greenland’s continental glaciers will inevitably raise global sea levels by 10 inches (25.4 cm) by the end of the 21st century, twice what scientists had previously forecast, according to a new report picked up by the Associated Press. The impact will echo in our slice of the planet, ultimately impacting MENA coastal cities including Alexandria in Egypt and Basra in Iraq, both of which are primed to bear the brunt of climate-induced sea level shifts in our part of the world.

The catch? We can’t do anything about it. The sea is rising because ‘zombie ice’ is melting. Zombie ice, which is also known as ‘doomed ice,’ is unreplenished ice that melts when their parent glaciers receive less snow. “This ice has been consigned to the ocean, regardless of what climate (emissions) scenario we take now,” the study’s co-author told the newswire.

#3- From the guy who gave you the Tesla: Elon Musk believes the world needs to continue oil and gas extraction so that it can sustain civilization — at least in the short-term, Reuters writes. The comments came while Musk was speaking at an energy conference in Norway, announcing that he wants to get Tesla’s self-driving technology ready by the end of the year. He added that the shift to renewable energy will take some decades to complete, which warrants some further oil and gas exploration for the time being.

WORTH WATCHING- Let’s be wholesome for a moment — or 50 minutes: In a refreshing change from the endless parade of gloom of climate disasters that has (frankly) desensitized us, climate documentary Brave Blue World aims to challenge our “global sense of impending doom” by painting an optimistic water future. The 50-minute film explores new innovations across five continents that tackle the preservation or reuse of water. It also features a bunch of celebrities, including Matt Damon and Jaden Smith, and is narrated by Liam Neeson. The documentary is available on Netflix.

And while you’re feasting your eyes: Have a look at the 2022 Earth Photo selection here. We’re particularly fond of the Climate of Change category.

THE COUNTDOWN TO COP-

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called upon African nations to demand equitable climate action ahead of COP27 during the UN Climate Change Conference in Gabon on Monday, Shoukry said in a statement. “Africa is obliged with its financial means and scant level of support to spend around 2-3% per annum to adapt to these [climate change] impacts; a disproportionate responsibility that cannot be described as anything other than climate injustice,” he said. Shoukry’s statements came during the sidelines of Africa Climate Week, where he is drumming up support ahead of COP27.

Climate finance is going to be a major theme of COP27 in Sharm: Affordable climate finance and the need for wealthier nations to make good on their financial commitments to developing economies are on everyone’s mind in the run-up to the conference — with UAE Climate Change and Environment Minister Mariam Almheiri, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat, and Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo among those who have been vocal in calling for them recently.

Meanwhile, the American University in Cairo (AUC) will host its COP27 and Beyond: Climate Policy and Inclusive Development session at its downtown campus in Tahrir Square, Cairo, on 5 September. The talk will host Special Representative of COP27 President-Designate Wael Aboulmagd to discuss the significance of COP27 for Egypt's inclusive economic development and Egypt's agenda and goals for the global meet in November. You can register for the event here.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The World Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability is taking place on 1-3 September in Frankfurt, Germany. The aim of the conference is to bring together “a range of key actors from institutions, governments, cities and communities, the private sector, and civil society, to make the world more climate-resilient,” the event’s organizers note. You can also attend the event online by registering here.

Execs from nearly 80 Russian companies are set to land in Tehran on 19 September to talk about business in fields including energy and recycling, according to the Iranian Chamber of Commerce.

A MENA youth climate innovation lab and Academy is set to run starting Friday, 16 September. Backed by Seedstars, the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network, and Denmark’s foreign ministry, the three-day event will spotlight climate tech developed by young folks from the MENA region. The deadline for applications is on 4 September; you can apply here.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.