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Welcome to the SOMA MATER weekly newsletter.
At SOMA MATER, we specialize in delivering comprehensive research and advisory services with a focus on Food & Water Security and Net Zero Transition in the MENA Region. In order to support our subscribing clients in navigating these topics and understanding the regional narrative, we produce monthly Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition Intelligence Reports, along with our in-depth analysis and insights.
This weekly newsletter highlights the top 3 stories from the past week in Food and Water Security and Net Zero transition, along with SOMA MATER's analysis and perspective.
How did increased cooling needs due to record temperatures in 2024 affect global energy demand and CO2 emissions?
What explains Kuwait's current energy crisis despite being an oil-rich nation, and what are its main challenges in power generation and distribution?
What explains the World Food Programme (WFP)'s current funding crisis, and how does it impact global food security efforts?
Sustainably yours,
The SOMA team
The Thermostat Effect: Earth's Fever and Our Energy Appetite
#NetZeroTransition

Energy demand has seen a surge in 2024, primarily driven by increased cooling needs amid record-breaking temperatures. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that electricity demand jumped to 4.3% in 2024 from 2.5% in 2023, with the surge attributed to exceptional heat, transport electrification, and expanding data centers.
The impact of rising temperatures was particularly significant, with global "cooling degree days" showing a 6% increase compared to 2023 and a 20% rise above the 2000-2020 average. The year 2024 marked a historic milestone, with global average temperatures reaching 15.10°C - a concerning 0.72°C above the 1991-2020 average. While clean energy sources met much of the increased demand, some regions faced challenges as hydropower generation decreased due to drought conditions, needing the use of alternative power sources like coal. The result was a 0.8% increase in total energy-related CO2 emissions, reaching an all-time high of 37.8 Gt CO2.
In 2024, global temperatures increased by 0.12°C from the previous year, marking it as the warmest year on record. This temperature rise led to a increased cooling needs and drove electricity demand up - with 20% of that increase directly linked to heat. As a result, these weather changes were responsible for around 50% of the CO₂ energy-related emissions changes in 2024. This creates a troubling feedback loop between rising temperatures, increasing energy demand, and increasing energy-related emissions (Figure 1), as confirmed by studies showing a long-term relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

Figure 1
SOMA’s Perspective:
It is staggering that the record-breaking 2024 heat was responsible for half of the increase in global energy emissions. What appears to be a small increase of 0.12 degrees in temperature has led to doubled emissions. This stark reality highlights the severe impact of climate change on emissions. If we fail to limit warming to 2 degrees, we will face dramatically higher emissions requirements, leading to devastating consequences for the planet.
Sources:
Kuwait's Power Predicament: When 38°C Makes the Grid Sweat
#NetZeroTransition

Kuwait has been facing a critical power crisis, having to implement temporary power cuts in industrial and agricultural areas amid soaring temperatures reaching 38°. These cuts, initiated even before peak summer heat, reflect an increasingly strained power grid that experienced rare scheduled outages last summer. Maximum daily temperatures in Kuwait can reach 45°C during summer in which there is mostly no rainfall.
This stems from multiple systemic issues, including political instability that impedes long-term planning, with Kuwait having cycled through 12 electricity ministers since 2020. The country's subsidy-driven energy model, which provides heavily subsidized electricity to residents, has led to high consumption patterns with little incentive for conservation. Kuwait's institutional framework also lacks a dedicated authority for renewable energy development, contributing to its low ranking in the 2024 Energy Transition Index - last among Gulf states and 104th globally.
Recent developments suggest potential changes ahead. Kuwait passed a significant public debt law last month, allowing government borrowing for the first time in eight years. This legislative shift is expected to help finance major projects and diversify government revenue streams beyond oil, potentially addressing some of the infrastructure challenges in the power sector. The country currently relies heavily on natural gas for electricity generation but has been forced to import LNG due to supply shortages.
SOMA’s Perspective:
Kuwait's power crisis serves as a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for the GCC region. It challenges the perception of energy invulnerability despite oil wealth. The occurrence of power cuts at temperatures of 38°C is particularly concerning, as it precedes the more challenging peak summer months. This situation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive energy reforms in the region. Key priorities should include restructuring energy subsidies to reflect true costs and expanding green spaces for natural temperature regulation. Without such reforms, the region risks facing more severe energy challenges as climate pressures intensify.
Sources:
Hungry for Help: World Food Programme (WFP)'s Financial Diet
#FoodandWaterSecurity

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is facing a funding crisis as 58 million people are at risk of losing critical food assistance across 28 of its vital crisis response operations. This network spans multiple regions, including Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and other vulnerable nations, with the organization experiencing an alarming 40% funding reduction for 2025 compared to the previous year.
The situation is dire as global hunger continues to escalate, with 343 million people currently facing severe food insecurity due to various factors including conflict, economic instability, and climate-related emergencies. The WFP's operations in 2025 aim to support approximately 123 million people - representing just over one-third of those in need - but nearly half of these beneficiaries are now at risk of losing their food assistance.
The scale of global hunger has been steadily worsening, as evidenced by the increase in caloric deficiency from 7.6% of the world's population in 2017 to 9.2% in 2022. The situation is further complicated by significant data gaps, as more than half of the food-insecure population resides in countries lacking reliable data collection systems, making it challenging to accurately assess and address global hunger needs.
SOMA’s Perspective:
Global tension are now severely impacting UN food aid mechanisms. With 7 MENA countries (Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt) being included in the list of countries receiving WFP support, reduced funding further threatens the regional food security and stability of the region. This challenges our region's development prospects and SOMA MATER's vision for a sustainable MENA region.
Sources:
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/five-alarming-statistics-on-global-hunger#:~:text=Last year's State of Food,hunger and food insecurity worldwide.
SOMA MATER is writing Intelligence Reports on the topics of Food and Water Security and Net Zero Transition. If you’d like to know more, contact us through the link below: