AGP Executive Report

Gabès Pollution Case: Ten environmental activists have been sentenced over protests against pollution from the city’s phosphate-processing plant. Two received one-year jail terms; eight were given suspended sentences. The case has renewed concern over the plant’s impact on residents and the risks of speaking out. Renewable Energy: Scatec and Aeolus are pursuing a 120 MW solar project in Sidi Bouzid, as Tunisia aims to raise renewables to 35% of its electricity mix by 2030. Weather: Forecasters expect thick clouds and scattered rain overnight, especially along central and southern coastal areas, with rough seas in the north and Gulf of Hammamet. Olive Harvest: Sfax’s crop is forecast at 275,000 tonnes, nearly half last season’s volume. Officials cite low rainfall and drought alongside the trees’ natural alternate-bearing cycle.

Gabès Pollution: Ten environmental activists have been sentenced over 2020 protests against pollution linked to a phosphate plant. Eight received suspended terms; two were sentenced to a year in prison. Solar Power: Scatec and Aeolus are considering a 120 MW solar plant in Sidi Bouzid, as Tunisia targets 35% renewable electricity by 2030. Climate and Farming: Sfax’s olive crop is forecast to fall nearly 50%, with low rainfall and drought among the causes. Tunisia is also building fertilizer stocks amid global supply disruption, though current stock levels are unclear. Energy Security: Engineers warn that summer 2027 could strain electricity supplies; about 90% of generation relies on natural gas. The 2027 budget proposes tax breaks for electricity-storage batteries and lower duties on solar panels. Adaptation: Béja has begun clearing wadis and drainage channels ahead of the rainy season, while a new regional project aims to support climate adaptation in North Africa.

Storm Warning: Tunisia’s meteorological institute forecast locally heavy thunderstorms, hail and strong gusts in northern and northeastern areas Tuesday evening. The Interior Ministry urged people to avoid flood-prone roads and waterways and follow official alerts. Cleaner Transport: Energy agency ANME has launched a digital platform to track electric-vehicle charging stations and guide infrastructure planning. Agriculture Under Strain: Sfax’s olive crop is estimated at 275,000 tonnes, down nearly 50% from last season, with drought among the causes. Harvesting is due to start November 4. Fertilizer supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz could also raise costs for farmers; Tunisia is building stocks for the 2026–27 season. Rural Resilience: FAO named Tunisian livestock expert Amel Makni among 100 women advancing agrifood systems, recognizing her work supporting farmers, rural women and sustainable practices. Energy Transition: Tunisia’s 2027 budget bill proposes lower customs duties on solar panels and tax exemptions for electricity-storage batteries.

Severe Weather: Tunisia’s meteorological institute warned of thunderstorms, locally heavy rain, hail and strong winds on Tuesday, with nine governorates under yellow alert. Hydrogen Debate: Energy expert Imed Derouiche questioned the viability of proposed southern Tunisia hydrogen megaprojects, warning that costly infrastructure and desalination brine could harm the sea. He advocates locating production near the TransMed corridor and aligning it with sustainable water supplies. Energy Transition: Engineers warn that summer 2027 could strain the power system, which relies on natural gas for about 90% of electricity. Tunisia’s 2027 budget proposes tax breaks for electricity storage batteries and lower customs duties on solar panels. Climate Resilience: Béja has begun clearing wadis and drainage systems ahead of the rainy season; a separate climate-adaptation project will support North Africa. Waste and Heat: Tunisia’s summer 2026 was its hottest since 1950, while Béja is planning dedicated sites for construction and demolition waste.

Heavy Rain: Thunderstorms and locally intense downpours are forecast this evening across eastern northern and central Tunisia, including Sfax, with strong winds near northern coasts. Energy Transition: Engineers warn that climate-driven demand could strain electricity supplies next summer; around 90% of generation relies on natural gas. A national study says solar, hydropower and pumped storage could support fully renewable electricity by 2050, while the 2027 budget proposes tax breaks for storage batteries and lower duties on solar panels. Climate Pressure: Summer 2026 was Tunisia’s hottest on record since 1950, underscoring the urgency of adaptation. Béja has begun clearing waterways and drainage systems ahead of the rainy season. Food Waste: Tunisia is among countries reported to waste more than 210 kilograms of food per person annually, highlighting a major resource-loss challenge.

Heavy Rain: Tunisia’s weather service forecast thunderstorms and locally intense downpours across northern and central regions on Monday, with coastal totals potentially reaching 20–40mm, alongside strong winds and isolated hail. Energy Security: Engineers in Sfax warned that summer 2027 could strain electricity supplies as heat drives demand; around 90% of Tunisia’s power still comes from natural gas. They urged efficiency measures and faster renewable investment. Food Waste: Tunisia is among countries where food waste exceeds 210kg per person a year, according to figures cited in a UN report, even as millions face hunger worldwide. Renewables: A study maps a possible path to 100% renewable electricity by 2050, while Tunisia’s 2027 budget proposes tax breaks for storage batteries and lower duties on solar panels. Flood Preparedness: Béja has begun clearing waterways and drainage ahead of the rainy season; civil protection teams have also run flood-response exercises in Siliana. Heat: Summer 2026 was Tunisia’s hottest on record since 1950, underscoring growing climate pressures.

Heavy Rain: Tunisia’s meteorological institute forecast thunderstorms and locally intense rain across northern and central regions on Monday, with totals reaching 20–40mm in some coastal areas. Strong winds and isolated hail are also possible. Clean Energy: The draft 2027 Finance Law proposes tax exemptions for imported electricity-storage batteries and lower customs duties on solar equipment, alongside support for businesses improving energy efficiency. The measures still need parliamentary approval. Climate Adaptation: Béja has begun clearing wadis and drainage channels ahead of the rainy season; Siliana also tested flood response plans in a simulation involving 40 homes. Rising Heat: Summer 2026 was Tunisia’s hottest since records began in 1950, underscoring the urgency of adaptation. A new study says solar, hydropower and pumped storage could meet the country’s electricity needs with 100% renewable power by 2050.

Heavy Rain Ahead: Tunisia’s weather service forecasts thunderstorms from Sunday evening into Monday across northern and central regions. Coastal areas could see 20–40 mm of rain, with strong winds and isolated hail; 14 governorates are under alert. Clean-Energy Incentives: The draft 2027 Finance Law proposes tax and customs exemptions for electricity-storage batteries, lower duties on solar equipment and expanded support for businesses improving energy efficiency. Parliament has yet to approve the measures. Renewable Power: A new study finds Tunisia could meet all its electricity needs with solar, hydropower and pumped storage by 2050, reducing dependence on imported gas. Heat and Resilience: Tunisia’s hottest summer on record intensified pressure on the power grid and households, highlighting climate risks. In Béja, drainage channels and wadis have been cleared ahead of the rainy season to help limit flooding.

Mediterranean Climate: Sea turtles are emerging as an early warning of climate change: warmer nesting sands can skew hatchlings toward females, while the Mediterranean’s long-term warming is reshaping ecosystems. Clean Energy: Tunisia’s draft 2027 Finance Law proposes tax exemptions for imported electricity-storage batteries and lower customs duties on solar equipment, pending parliamentary approval. A new study says solar, hydropower and pumped storage could supply all the country’s electricity by 2050. Flood Preparedness: Béja has begun dredging wadis and clearing drainage channels ahead of the rainy season to reduce flood risks and road disruption. Climate Adaptation: The Sahara and Sahel Observatory and France’s development agency are launching an €150,000 project to document farming and natural-resource practices that help North African communities cope with drought and water scarcity. Extreme Heat: Tunisia’s summer was the hottest recorded since 1950, averaging 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm and bringing prolonged heatwaves and unusually warm nights.

Climate Pressure: Tunisia recorded its hottest summer since 1950, with average temperatures 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm and prolonged heatwaves adding strain to homes and the power grid. Clean Energy: A new study says solar power, hydropower and pumped storage could supply all of Tunisia’s electricity by 2050, reducing reliance on imported gas. The 2027 Finance Bill also proposes tax breaks for storage batteries and lower duties on solar equipment, pending approval. Climate Adaptation: The Sahara and Sahel Observatory and France’s development agency have launched an 18-month project to assess how farmers can adapt to drought, water scarcity and land degradation. Flood Readiness: Béja has begun clearing wadis, drainage channels and hydraulic structures ahead of the rainy season to reduce flood risks. Mediterranean Wildlife: Researchers say warming beaches are shifting the sex balance of loggerhead turtle hatchlings, making the species a warning sign of climate change across the Mediterranean.

Renewable Energy: A new study says Tunisia could meet all its electricity needs with renewables by 2050, using solar, hydropower and pumped storage while cutting reliance on imported gas. Green Investment: The 2027 Finance Bill proposes tax exemptions for imported electricity-storage batteries, lower customs duties on solar equipment and support for businesses improving energy efficiency; the measures still need parliamentary approval. Climate Adaptation: Tunisia’s Sahara and Sahel Observatory and France’s development agency have launched a €150,000 project to document farming and natural-resource practices that help communities cope with drought and water scarcity. Heat and Flood Risks: Summer 2026 was Tunisia’s hottest since 1950, averaging 2.9°C above the climate baseline. In response to weather risks, Béja has cleared waterways and drains ahead of the rainy season, while a Siliana drill tested emergency teams’ response to simulated flooding. Waste Management: Béja is planning designated construction-waste sites, prioritizing abandoned quarries and state-owned land to curb illegal dumping.

Energy Transition: Tunisia’s draft 2027 Finance Law proposes tax and customs exemptions for imported electricity-storage batteries and lower duties on solar equipment, alongside expanded support for businesses investing in energy efficiency and pollution reduction. The measures still need parliamentary approval. Flood Preparedness: Béja has begun clearing drainage channels and dredging wadis ahead of the rainy season, while authorities in Siliana ran a flood-response drill simulating 100mm of rain and 40 homes inundated. Heat and Adaptation: Summer 2026 was Tunisia’s hottest since 1950, averaging 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm. A new €150,000 AFD–Sahara and Sahel Observatory project will document farmers’ climate-adaptation practices, including responses to drought, water scarcity and land degradation.

Flood Readiness: Béja crews are dredging wadis and clearing drains ahead of the rainy season. In Siliana, a drill simulated flooding at 40 homes to test emergency response. Climate Adaptation: Tunisia’s Sahara and Sahel Observatory and France’s development agency have launched an €150,000, 18-month project to document farmers’ ways of coping with drought, water scarcity and land degradation, and guide policy. Extreme Heat: Tunisia’s summer was its hottest since 1950, averaging 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm. Prolonged heat drove up electricity demand and exposed the country’s vulnerability to climate change. Waste and Farming: Béja plans dedicated sites for construction waste to curb illegal dumping. In Kasserine, hail damaged olive groves, vegetables and fruit trees.

Record Heat: Tunisia’s summer 2026 was the hottest since records began in 1950, averaging 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm. Prolonged heatwaves and hot nights drove electricity demand to unprecedented levels, renewing calls to rethink energy policy. Climate Adaptation: France’s AFD and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory have launched an 18-month, €150,000 project to document farmers’ responses to drought, water scarcity and land degradation, and share recommendations with policymakers. Flood Readiness: Civil Protection tested emergency coordination in Siliana with a drill simulating more than 100 mm of rain and flooding in 40 homes. The exercise comes amid severe weather risks across the region. Waste Management: Béja plans dedicated construction-waste disposal sites, prioritising abandoned quarries and state-owned land to curb illegal dumping. Crop Damage: Hail in Kasserine caused major damage to olive groves, vegetables and fruit trees.

Flood Preparedness: Civil Protection tested Siliana’s response to extreme rain with a drill simulating the overflow of Oued El Aksab and flooding in 40 homes. Waste Management: Béja plans dedicated construction-waste sites, prioritizing abandoned quarries and state land to curb illegal dumping. Climate Risks: Researcher Houcine Rhili warned Tunisia could face an unusually warm, rainy autumn and winter, raising questions about managing heavy rainfall. Hail has already damaged olive groves, vegetables and fruit trees in Kasserine. Circular Economy: Bousalem-based Recyglass is seeking to expand glass collection and processing; recycled glass can reduce energy use and emissions in manufacturing.

Waste Management: Béja is planning dedicated construction-waste disposal sites, prioritising abandoned quarries and aiming to give each municipality a designated location to curb illegal dumping. Climate and Water: Tunisian researcher Houcine Rhili warns that a warmer, rainier autumn and winter may lie ahead, raising concerns about the country’s readiness to manage heavy rainfall and capture water rather than lose it. Circular Economy: Bousalem-based Recyglass plans to expand glass collection and processing; recycled glass cullet can reduce the energy needed for glassmaking and cut emissions. Agriculture: Hail in Kasserine has damaged olive groves, vegetables and fruit trees, underscoring the risks severe weather poses to local crops.