While the Middle East is no stranger to extreme temperatures and weather events, several developments in 2021 have helped drive home the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

There has been a sharp uptick in the type of natural disasters often aggravated by climate change, including wildfires in Algeria, Israel and Lebanon in the past year.

Much of the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) is already vulnerable to power shortages in summer, as temperatures and air-conditioning demand rise. Water scarcity is also common, as low rainfall, frequent droughts and aquifer depletion put pressure on water systems.

In Kuwait, the past seven years have been the hottest ever recorded.

The acute climate stress on power and particularly water resources has already become an important driver of social unrest in the Mena region.

In southern Iraq, the public water infrastructure has almost collapsed. In some areas, there is no running water, or it is unusable, forcing entire communities to rely on the purchase of costly private water deliveries. 

MEED's climate response edition takes an in-depth look at the growing risk of deepened inequality and dissent arising from faster than average temperature increases in the Middle East.

The October 2021 edition of MEED Business Review also features MEED's power developer ranking 2021. This year, Riyadh-based utilities developer and investor Acwa Power has outwrestled France’s Engie to top the investor listing.

This month's 20-page Market Focus meanwhile offers an exclusive look at Saudi Arabia, where the restoration of more neutral diplomacy is yielding dividends.

MEED's October 2021 Saudi Arabia market report includes:

> Government attends to domestic matters
> Riyadh reshapes job market
> Riyadh accelerates education reforms
> Saudi lenders benefit from credit growth
> Zuluf scheme galvanises upstream sector
> Saudi Arabia fans petrochemicals ambition
> Saudi Arabia cruises towards energy transition
> Acwa Power's success divides opinion
> Saudi water projects proceed apace
> Saudi construction eyes growth
> Focus turns to resources as projects advance
> Saudi transport to build on 2021 growth
> China is Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner

Must-read sections in the October 2021 edition of MEED Business Review include:

> AGENDA: Extreme regional temperatures risk greater unrest

> OPINION: Government entities take IPO lead  / Gulf pivots to knowledge economy

> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Afghan regime collapse colours US strategy in Iraq

> INDUSTRY REPORT: MEED power developer ranking 2021

> MARKET FOCUS: Riyadh focuses on domestic agenda

> EXPO: Private firms push sustainability agenda / Bangkota captures the spirit of the Philippines

> LEADERSHIP: The importance of identity in a CEO

> LEGAL: Making a case for legal tech

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects market records minor gains

> AUGUST 2021 CONTRACTS: Saudi Arabia jumps to the top of monthly awards

> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts

We hope you enjoy the October 2021 edition of MEED Business Review.