Page 99 - WGEO PR REPORT - November-December 2022

addition, over 20 MENA family businesses taking decisive climate action are highlighted

as champions of change throughout the report as well as a climate action checklist to
support enterprises in implementing environmental strategies and explore opportunities.

An editor’s committee with members from five different MENA countries was
established to provide oversight and guide the further development of the report.

The report was launched during a virtual session featuring experts and family business

leaders, such as Alfredo De Massis, professor of entrepreneurship & family business -
Free University of Bolzano, IMD Business School and LUMS, Italy; Dr. Basma Al Zamil,
GM, Group HR, Zamil Group – KSA; Imad Al Fadel, managing partner, ESG Integrate –
UAE; and Samar Ibrahim, associate director, EY Parthenon, MENA. Following the

launch, the partners will host further opportunities to address core matters around
climate action and climate risk throughout 2023 and leading up to COP 28 that is slated
to be held in the UAE in 2023.

Commenting on the collaboration, Farida El Agamy, General Manager of the Tharawat

Family Business Forum, said: “The science is undeniable; climate change is
transforming our natural habitats, ecosystems, and the Earth’s biodiversity, directly
affecting our lives, businesses, and economies. In light of this global environmental
crisis, family enterprises must pivot to deal with the changing world around them. While

this is a sobering prospect, it is not one without opportunities. This report explores the
way forward for family-owned companies and outlines a clear path toward a more
sustainable future.”

Dr. Amina Al Rostamani, Board Member of AW Rostamani Group, said: “In 2016, the

MENA region was declared one of the world’s most vulnerable to rising sea levels. At
the same time, though the MENA region is home to 6.3% of the global population, only
1.4% have access to renewable freshwater. Saving water and energy and eliminating
single-use plastic while recycling and reducing electronic waste are just some of the
environmental initiatives being employed at the AW Rostamani Group to confront such

issues. With resources to help support family businesses identify environmental
solutions to benefit them, their employees, their communities and the planet, this report
represents a critical piece of the climate change puzzle.”

https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/climate-change-and-family-business-
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