Chapter Zero Egypt (CZE) is an Egyptian Association and part of the global Climate Governance Initiative, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. It is the 27th Chapter of the Climate Governance Initiative global network and the first in the Middle East region. It launched officially on 11 July 2023.
As a competence development initiative for companies’ supervisory bodies, the association aims to inform company directors on topics related to climate change, to motivate them to include climate change initiatives as strategic priorities for their companies and to encourage the transition to net-zero emissions.
Mohanad Taha Khaled, managing partner of BDO in Egypt, is one of CZE’s founding members. The BDO firm was also the consultant mandated for the establishment of this chapter which, as a result of BDO’s professional expertise, now includes 16 founders, 11 board members (one of whom is BDO Egypt), a Technical Advisory Board, an Executive Director and, at the time of writing, more than 45 active members.
We spoke to Mohanad Taha Khaled to find out more about the association, its roots and its objectives:
Q: We understand that CZE’s launch was supported by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): what role did they play in establishing the association ?
A: EBRD considers Egypt one of its main partners in this region and it was they that commissioned BDO Egypt Consulting to establish an awareness and educational entity for the chairpersons and members of company Boards of directors to address climate change and its impact on the Egyptian and global economies. We worked on this together with Lobby Egypt, a communications advisory firm.
Q: What is the connection between the EBRD and Green Economy Transition (GET) 2021-2025 ?
A: Our assignment came in the wake of EBRD’s adoption of the GET 2021-2025 approach, which aligns with the framework of the EBRD’s global role and commitment to support the transition towards a low-emission green economy in the countries in which it operates. This in turn led to the setting of a green financing target of more than 50% by 2025.
Q: How would you describe the association’s overriding objectives ?
A: Taking into account the challenges facing the Egyptian economy as a result of climate change, this initiative is aimed at educating and raising the awareness among corporate Boards of directors of the opportunities and challenges of climate governance and climate change. If we can equip our members with the skills and knowledge needed to make climate change a boardroom priority, we will have succeeded.
Q: What proactive steps are the CZE members taking ?
A: CZE’s core mission is to accelerate climate action in Egyptian organisations. Driven by a founding group of passionate patron chairs and committee members, CZE is primed to deliver real impact for its members and the stakeholders their organisations touch. For their part, CZE’s companies and stakeholders participate in formulating recommendations and conduct studies to support the private sector from an environmental, economic and social perspective.
Q: How important is your participation in the association for your BDO firm ?
A: Being both a founder and Board member of CZE is a great starting point for our firm’s own sustainability plans. Our membership affords us the opportunity to take advantage of the advanced experience of other members, who include some of the most prominent Egyptian companies. We are also able to participate in local and international meetings, exchanging expertise and knowledge with other members, both within Egypt and across the world. This is helping BDO Egypt to build a unique proficiency in topics related to climate risk mitigation, as well as local and international rules and procedures.
Q: Finally, how important is climate change mitigation to you personally ?
A: I have 3 Gen Z and Millennial children - and colleagues from similar generations. This means I definitely have a personal interest in making sure that such generations live a healthier life than we do - and not only because this will ensure succession on a family and business level. In addition, we are starting to realise that, when recruiting newer generations, it is extremely important for them to be assured that the organisation they are pursuing a job at is serious - and active - about climate change. So our talent acquisition will also be positively impacted when we take this subject seriously on board.
You can read more about Chapter Zero Egypt on their web site: ChapterZeroEgypt – ChapterZeroEgypt
BDO helps organisations by outlining how to embed sustainability practices into their business, as well as offering a range of ESG-related services. Read more on the BDO.global web site about how BDO can help and, specifically, how to activate your sustainability journey. Please also feel free to reach out to the sustainability experts in your local BDO firm.
As a competence development initiative for companies’ supervisory bodies, the association aims to inform company directors on topics related to climate change, to motivate them to include climate change initiatives as strategic priorities for their companies and to encourage the transition to net-zero emissions.
Mohanad Taha Khaled, managing partner of BDO in Egypt, is one of CZE’s founding members. The BDO firm was also the consultant mandated for the establishment of this chapter which, as a result of BDO’s professional expertise, now includes 16 founders, 11 board members (one of whom is BDO Egypt), a Technical Advisory Board, an Executive Director and, at the time of writing, more than 45 active members.
We spoke to Mohanad Taha Khaled to find out more about the association, its roots and its objectives:
Q: We understand that CZE’s launch was supported by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): what role did they play in establishing the association ?
A: EBRD considers Egypt one of its main partners in this region and it was they that commissioned BDO Egypt Consulting to establish an awareness and educational entity for the chairpersons and members of company Boards of directors to address climate change and its impact on the Egyptian and global economies. We worked on this together with Lobby Egypt, a communications advisory firm.
Q: What is the connection between the EBRD and Green Economy Transition (GET) 2021-2025 ?
A: Our assignment came in the wake of EBRD’s adoption of the GET 2021-2025 approach, which aligns with the framework of the EBRD’s global role and commitment to support the transition towards a low-emission green economy in the countries in which it operates. This in turn led to the setting of a green financing target of more than 50% by 2025.
Q: How would you describe the association’s overriding objectives ?
A: Taking into account the challenges facing the Egyptian economy as a result of climate change, this initiative is aimed at educating and raising the awareness among corporate Boards of directors of the opportunities and challenges of climate governance and climate change. If we can equip our members with the skills and knowledge needed to make climate change a boardroom priority, we will have succeeded.
Q: What proactive steps are the CZE members taking ?
A: CZE’s core mission is to accelerate climate action in Egyptian organisations. Driven by a founding group of passionate patron chairs and committee members, CZE is primed to deliver real impact for its members and the stakeholders their organisations touch. For their part, CZE’s companies and stakeholders participate in formulating recommendations and conduct studies to support the private sector from an environmental, economic and social perspective.
Q: How important is your participation in the association for your BDO firm ?
A: Being both a founder and Board member of CZE is a great starting point for our firm’s own sustainability plans. Our membership affords us the opportunity to take advantage of the advanced experience of other members, who include some of the most prominent Egyptian companies. We are also able to participate in local and international meetings, exchanging expertise and knowledge with other members, both within Egypt and across the world. This is helping BDO Egypt to build a unique proficiency in topics related to climate risk mitigation, as well as local and international rules and procedures.
Q: Finally, how important is climate change mitigation to you personally ?
A: I have 3 Gen Z and Millennial children - and colleagues from similar generations. This means I definitely have a personal interest in making sure that such generations live a healthier life than we do - and not only because this will ensure succession on a family and business level. In addition, we are starting to realise that, when recruiting newer generations, it is extremely important for them to be assured that the organisation they are pursuing a job at is serious - and active - about climate change. So our talent acquisition will also be positively impacted when we take this subject seriously on board.
You can read more about Chapter Zero Egypt on their web site: ChapterZeroEgypt – ChapterZeroEgypt
BDO helps organisations by outlining how to embed sustainability practices into their business, as well as offering a range of ESG-related services. Read more on the BDO.global web site about how BDO can help and, specifically, how to activate your sustainability journey. Please also feel free to reach out to the sustainability experts in your local BDO firm.