CEM at MENA Climate Week
From 8 October to 12 October 2023
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Congratulations to the UNFCCC and the hosts KSA Ministry of Energy for delivering such an impressive and impactful MENA Climate Week – a key milestone in the lead up to COP28. This has been an excellent opportunity to:
- Discuss how the work of the CEM community can contribute to the COP28 Action Agenda – grateful to the COP28 Presidency and the UNFCCC Mitigation Work Programme team for their recognition of the value of the CEM
- Showcase how CEM workstreams can bring together the right stakeholders to develop clean energy solutions and deliver concrete change, as demonstrated by the CCUS Initiative, Hydrogen Initiative, IDDI and the GPP campaign during events organised across the programme.
- Support action at the regional level, learn about solutions that are being developed and implemented in the MENA region and engage in positive dialogue with the many organisations and experts present on how to strengthen international collaboration: and
- Strengthen and expand regional partnerships, notably signing an MoU with KAPSARC to elevate sustainable energy development, focusing on CCUS, Industrial decarbonisation, energy efficiency and log-term energy scenarios.
This builds on the success achieved at CEM14 in Goa on linking the action focused work of the CEM to political ambition setting fora such as the G20 and now moving towards to COP28. Looking forward to even demonstrations of the CEM Impact in Dubai!
CEM Events:
Carbon Management Challenge
Mon 9th October, 15:30-16:30
Description: The science is clear that carbon management at Giga-tonne scale – achieved as soon as possible – must be part of the solution to urgently address our common climate challenge, even as we prioritise renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet the world’s growing demand. In April 2023 ten countries launched the Carbon Management Challenge to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture, utilisation, storage and removal and to bring it to Gigatonne-scale by 2030.
At this event the Carbon Management Challenge is presented and discussed with countries and organisations in the MENA region. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt have already joined the Challenge – and further countries from the MENA region are most welcome. Furthermore, industry, NGOs and international organisations are welcome to lend their support for the challenge.
Creating a Business Case for Carbon Management through Policy Action
Wed 11th October, 15:00-16:00
Description: Carbon management technologies are key to supporting international climate targets that aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, driving carbon management technologies to giga-tonne scale will require the business case to be established to further support hundreds of projects globally. Governments, industry and the finance sector all have a role to play in this regard. At this event – organised in partnership with the Clean Air Task Force, the Clean Energy Ministerial, KAPSARC and the Global CCS Institute – representatives from government, industry and the finance sector will discuss enabling policy developments and future requirements, in order to create solid business cases for carbon management projects, both in the MENA region and across the world.
CCUS Climate Technology: Driving Decarbonisation in Cement and Steel
Mon 12th October, 10:30-11:30
Description: Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a valuable and needed climate technology that can deliver significant emissions reductions to the cement and steel sector, both globally and across the MENA region. Organised in partnership with the Clean Air Task Force, the Clean Energy Ministerial, KAPSARC and the Global CCS Institute, this event will offer insights from experts in the cement and steel industry, as well as from government, highlighting experiences, challenges and practical ways to significantly accelerate the scale-up of CCUS to tackle emissions in the two important heavy industrial sectors.
Fireside Chat with CCUS Financiers
Thu 12th October, 11:15-11:45
Description: In this 30-minute chat, two finance-sector representatives will be interviewed on their decarbonisation finance activities, and more specifically about the role they see for carbon capture, utilisation and storage / carbon management in their decarbonisation financing portfolios. What preconditions are there for the banks to boost their activity in carbon management?