There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for
make it
THE ARAB GREEN
SUMMIT-TAGS
Taking MENA Sustainability to New frontiers
Taking MENA Sustainability to New frontiers
The Arab Green Event Day 1
The Arab Green Event Day 2
The Arab Green Event Day 3
Planet is warming and climate is changing in a manner that defies nature. Nations are racing against time to reach the goals of Paris climate deal and transition to net zero by 2050, the deadline set to prevent the earth from warming beyond 1.5 deg C by the turn of this century. Climate risk is arguably the greatest risk facing humanity.
Global Economies have woken up albeit late to the fact that drastic actions need to be taken on a war footing in-order to avoid a climate change induced catastrophe. At the same time, they are under enormous pressure to delicately balance sustainability with economic and social priorities. The Challenges of balancing economic viability with environmentally sound and socially responsible business practices, have opened out dialogues involving Governments, International organizations, and Business leaders which in turn has led to a paradigm shift in the way this emergency is assimilated. It has moved from a simple understanding to conscious and Strategic Climate Action. Through the engines of Green Economy.
The MENA has demonstrated itself as an active crusader for Sustainability by slowly and steadily moving away from Oil based Economies towards tapping its renewable resources and positioning climate action as an integral part of growth plan. In addition, the MENA region has seen immense growth in mega sustainable development projects and Green Investments in the recent past. Projects like NEOM and Masdar City stand testimony to the immense potential MENA has in driving climate action, innovation and investments in the sustainability that includes critical sectors such as Energy, Transport, Buildings & Smart Cities, Industries etc.
This region is also considered a melting pot of innovation and policy action. The recently announced UAE strategic road map for 50 years only reinforces this notion further. The KEY principles etched in this document covering Institutional Frameworks, Human capital, Digital & Technological excellence, Human capital, and others are quite relevant for the region and hence have been well represented in this summit.
While COP 26 held in Glasgow this year brought together nations to accelerate actions towards Paris agreement goal. The Arab Green Summit intends to kickstart a series of intense deliberations around MENA’s Green efforts. The overarching driver for this summit is the thirst to bring about a transformation in the way Sustainability & Climate Action is being addressed and enhance the societal capacity to make this planet a better place. With this mind targeted masterclasses would also be administered in parallel sessions.
The time to unlock the latent talent of MENA is NOW by uniting commitment and convictions to a single cause. Dialogue and Innovation are the key to unlocking the potential of the MENA Region to become a Pioneer in the Sustainable Segment. The Arab Green Summit brings together the Stakeholders across the Arab region to discuss and discover the latest practices and creative solutions to incorporate sustainability in their Energy systems, achieve SDGs, explore Science based Targets (SBTs) and further spearhead Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). Last but not the least is the role Human Capital plays in the whole gamut of climate Action. TAGS would serve as a platform for climate champions to discuss, innovate, collaborate, and set the path for climate action through mitigation and adaptation.
Entertainment & technology show inspirational speakers including game changing not just a large-scale conference but a large educational hub.
Government officials and Policy makers across MENA
Consultants and Advisors to the Government, Green Projects, Utilities
Representatives from Municipalities and Regulatory bodies.
Senior Officials from Urban, Town and Country Planning Organizations
Senior Representatives of Smart City projects
Senior Representatives from Energy and Utility Companies (Electricity, Water and Waste)
Financial Institutions/ Banks/ Green Investment Bankers/ Venture Capitalists AI/IT/IOT heavy weights / Block chain / Data center
EPC Contractors
Retail Companies
Senior officials from Transportation, heavy Industries, Shipping and Aviation sectors.
Specialist system integrators
International Environmental Institutions, NGOs
Representatives from Bi-lateral agencies (World Bank, ADB, UN etc.)
Research & Development Institutions
Startups, Innovators, and Incubators
Educational Institutes & Universities
Legal Firms
Conference Chairman -Senior Advisor, Energy, Sustainability, ESG and Climate Action
Dr. P.R. Jagannathan is well known in the industry as an expert on Energy, Sustainability and Climate Action and has more than 25 years of professional experience in this domain . He specializes in providing strategic advises on sustainability and climate action and further reinforces by designing and developing bespoke solutions to help stakeholders meet their goals and climate ambitions. As Sustainability Head at Trakhees a Regulatory Authority in Dubai, he designed, developed and administered major Policy tools and Regulations surrounding built environments and has further achieved new heights in driving Energy efficiency, Green building code and Certification within the jurisdiction. He was an active working group member in several strategic programs of Emirate including 2040 Master plan, Dubai Code unification, Building Energy labelling, DSM and Building energy intensity. He further spearheaded the design and development of a bespoke and unique green building rating system. He led Trakhees into winning the prestigious “Emirates Energy Award” of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
Executive Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Office, RAK Municipality
Andrea Di Gregorio is the Executive Director at the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Office (Reem) of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, UAE, with the mandate to support the development of the Emirate towards lower energy intensity and a higher share of renewables in the generation mix.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy sector in Europe and the Middle East, where he supported governments, oil & gas majors and leading utilities in the fields of strategy, operations improvement and energy efficiency.
Prior to joining Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Andrea Di Gregorio supported the activation of the Dubai Demand Side Management strategy as a PMO Director at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, UAE, and as a Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement at TAQATI, UAE. Previously, he worked as a strategy consultant at Booz & Company and Oliver Wyman, and as a Business Unit Director at Bertelsmann.
He holds an MSc. summa cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and an MBA from SDA Bocconi, Milan.
Senior Director, Demand Side Management Supreme Council of Energy
Faisal Ali Rashid, U.A.E national, a degree holder of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Dayton, Ohio university-U.S.A. Also, a certified PMP (Project Management Professional). Earn LSE professional certificate in the area of energy public policy making. Has a wide and solid experience in energy management including supply and demand strategy. Has solid background in process industrial plant including oil & gas, power& water generation process, material handling process, glass manufacturing process. Mr. Rashid has been frequent speaker and active participant at various local and international energy related conferences.
He has published numerous articles and white papers on energy management and sustainability topics.
Current job is energy senior Demand side management director in Dubai Supreme Council of Energy looking after the whole energy demand management spectrum of emirate of Dubai. He has contributed to success of DSM programs and energy efficiency policy structure in Dubai. Served previously in oil and gas industry for 15 years as project division manager / Project Manager, handled mega feed and EPC projects and worked as general manager in glass manufacturing plant for 3 years.
CEO & Chairman, Neutral Fuels Holdings Ltd
Neutral Fuels was founded by Karl W. Feilder in 2011 when few people in the Middle East believed that climate change was real and even fewer believed that
waste cooking oil could be recycled into biofuel at scale. Ten years later, Neutral Fuels Holdings is based in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) and is the largest manufacturer and distributor of net zero biofuel in the GCC, having produced more than 13.5 million litres of biofuel in the UAE since inception.
In addition to its UAE biorefineries, the company currently operates in Bahrain, India, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Africa
Hon Chairman, Energy Institute - Middle East
Graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from the UK Waddah is considered one of the authorities on Governance and Leadership and High Reliability Organisations (HROs). He is the Hon Chairman for the Energy Institute – Middle East and is also the Chairman of the Platform for Connected Leadership (PCL), Dubai, UAE. He also represents the UAE in the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Technical Committee 283 and is Chairman of the UAE National Committee for Occupational Health and Safety (ESMA) and President, Professional Engineering Chapter, UAE Society of Engineers. His publications include various research, practitioner journal and conference papers in addition to 8 internationally published books mainly is Safety Management, Operational Excellence, Reflective Learning, HSE Practitioner Executive Development, Governance and Leadership as well as theology. Two books are currently under development in Managing HSE in Major Projects and another on Sustainability and Directorships. He has also published jointly and edited in 2020 an article with the Harvard Business Review Arabia on the Connected Leadership Framework, and then more recently on Corporate Governance in November 2021.
CEO, ESG Foundation
Ivano is widely acknowledged as the GCC foremost experts in the fields of Sustainability and Carbon Emission Management. He is a Board Director of the ESG Foundation and a subject matter expert in green economy, Sustainability and low carbon pathways from an economic and commercially viable standpoint. His primary work is with governments and corporate clients to develop long term economic scenarios that help them understand the risks and opportunities that the transition to a low carbon economy could bring to their operations.
Partner at Arthur D. Little
Adnan brings extensive experience in consulting, technology and operations and specializes in corporate strategy, growth strategy, diversification and innovation strategy and management. He focuses on new energy (clean technology, renewables, energy storage, hydrogen, etc.) and emerging technology trends including digital technology.
Adnan advises both public and private-sector clients in the Middle East, Europe and South East Asia over the last 11 years. He advises clients on strategy, technology and innovation related matters, navigating through the energy transition and setting up new businesses for sustainable growth. He covers client in the energy domain (Oil & Gas, Power and Water Utilities), aerospace and defense, ministries and large diversified family conglomerates
Prior to joining Arthur D. Little, Adnan worked as a Project Manager / Process Development Manager in the technology sector with Kyocera in Florida USA for more than 8 years. His responsibilities included leading and managing 2 key product lines in ultra high frequency hybrid microcircuits for defense and telecommunication sector,
Adnan holds a MBA from Indian School of Business and a M.S in Materials Science and Engineering from Ohio State University. He also completed his Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from BITS, Pilani
Solaiman Al-Rifai, Programme Director, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence
Solaiman Al-Rifai is the Programme Director of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence. He is an international sustainable development practitioner and senior investment advisor. He has over 18 years of experience, working across the private and public sector managing projects globally. Previously held senior management positions in the United Nations, Banks and the Government of Dubai.
He has an extensive experience in successfully guiding local, national and multi-national organizations with the development and implementation of sustainable business strategies, building and maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders, and creating programmes that enable effective implementation of the strategies in a manner that is innovative, collaborative and economically viable. Thinking long term and externally in order to shape the organization.
He also provided policy advisory services to the UAE Government and facilitated knowledge building and project development by leveraging the United Nation’s global expertise and resources leading to "transformative" change in the country’s development and the creation of strategic partnerships.
He regularly conducts workshops and participates in thought leadership at conferences and he is an active member on many forums including the UAE Vision 2021 task force.
Managing Director- MENA, Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC)
Ahmed Samir Elbermbali is the Managing Director of the MENA Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy and clean technologies and solutions MENA Region. CEBC provides a platform to further dialogue between the public and private sectors to develop much needed policy and regulation to help drive the implementation of clean energy across the MENA region. Ahmed joined CEBC in 2018 and the youngest Managing Director to hold this position in the history of CEBC.
Founder, Smart Cities Council India
A chartered accountant by qualification, Pratap Padode, has specialised in financial research when he set up Corporate & Economic Research Centre in 1986 and developed financial models to evaluate corporate performance. He pioneered equity research in India by launching India’s most successful specialised equity journal. He is the founder of ASAPP Info Global Group and his passion for infrastructure over last 17 years is reflected in the innovative thought leadership through ten specialised magazines, conferences & awards organised in the fields of construction, infrastructure & engineering. Further he is the President of FIRST (Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training) which was set up in 2003, that brings out research reports and newsletters on various infrastructure segments. His research encompasses construction, infrastructure, real estate, economy and finance sectors. He has received the award for his research in the construction sector at CIDC Vishwakarma Awards 2010 at the hands of Dr C Rangarajan, Chairman of Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Committee. Since early 2014 he has been promoting the move to smart, sustainable cities and contributing to Smart Cities Council Partners’ business success through advocacy and action, as the Founder Director of the Smart Cities Council India website
Managing Director, The Umbrella Institute
Founder/GM, ECO-SQUARE(ECO2)
With more than 25 years of international experience across various continents, Riad has advocated his past years to Circular Economy in the industrial sector and has just joined the list of Environment experts while launching his advisory company ECO-SQUARE(ECO2) in 2021 in Dubai.
His focus is to provide roadmaps and industrial solutions to Sustainability and Waste challenges within industries and government bodies. During his late role as GM for a waste management division in the cement industry, he helped waste generators divert the waste from landfill. Since 2016, he has been actively promoting sustainable solutions with local UAE authorities, including MOCCAE, from which he was awarded recognitions for his actions along with other entities such as Tadweer and Dubai Municipality. With ECO2, he intends to create the bridge and make sure that “ECOnomy meets ECOlogy” challenges.
Prior to that, he took various positions as Product and Process Engineer, Project Manager, Sourcing and Supply Chain Director in Multinational companies. He is also a recognized sustainability expert at the Swiss Business Council as well as the Business Finland and regularly participate to Circular Economy panel discussions for which he acts as speaker or moderator.
Riad holds a M.Sc in Engineering and Manufacturing from Syracuse University, US and a M.Sc in Material Science and Mechanical Engineer from Ecole Centrale de Lyon, France. He Speaks 5 languages and is convinced that multicultural exchanges are a mind opener and ease collaboration between people. As a scuba diver, he knows how fragile are our Natural resources and hence strive to keep it safe for the next generations. He has been living in the GCC since 2009.
Senior Advisor, Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai
Majd has created and implemented several top-of-the-line non-governmental sustainability programs, which are aimed at advancing renewable energy, green building and energy efficiency principles in the region. He led several studies on energy efficiency of existing buildings and zero energy buildings which resulted in establishing the first publicly available industry benchmarks for energy and water performance of hotels, schools, and malls in the UAE. He also co-authored a publication which offered the first definition for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in the MENA which has become the key driver towards driving decarbonisation policies in the UAE green building space.
Currently, Majd serves as a Senior Advisor at the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai facilitating collaboration on different areas including energy, sustainability, maritime and decarbonisation. His work covers establishing partnerships between Denmark and the UAE.
Majd holds a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy from Lebanese and Saint Joseph Universities and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese University. He also holds a Certified Energy Manager, LEED Accredited Professional (Operations and Maintenance) and TRUE Advisor credentials.
Registrations / Networking
Opening Ceremony
Green Mena Visions, Policies & Global Best Practices
Keynote: Innovation a key to deliver SDGs and Paris climate agreement
UAE has taken a quantum leap in sustainability by closely weaving the needs of the future generations with the threads of sustainability and economic aspirations. This journey has indeed been challenging for the nation as it set on the path of devising a series of strategic steps in this direction. Some important perspectives to be discussed include
Policies and frameworks are un evitable in shaping a nation’s path and sustainability is no different. Such policies should be region specific and be accompanied by well-defined frameworks that would support its implementation. This prominent subject is expected to cover
Environmental sustainability has leap frogged to a highly deliberated mainstream theme all across the globe while it is also challenged by the deficit in its understanding as well as the resources in hand. These render the implementation of policies extremely challenging for the region requiring an introspection of
Some nations have taken an astronomical step of creating Mega sustainability ventures/developments that are purported to be torch bearers in the net zero race. What exactly such a venture offers in terms of
Net zero economy on a broad scale requires a basket of technologies, skilled personnel, resources, policies and the right market. However, the basket is still rendered empty in the absence of a healthy collaboration between the stakeholders. This panel
The power sector has traditionally been extremely centralized with several countries still following a vertical monopoly model. While they have stood the test of time, rapid penetration of renewable energies and opening up this sector to private players is bound to bring a significant change to this model by elevating the role of a consumer to a prosumer.
MENA is witnessing a renewable energy transformation of unprecedented scale with several mega projects already implemented and several more in the pipeline. Solar energy has remained a vital ingredient in the above which is aided by the drop in the price of solar PVs. The last decade alone has witnessed a 90% drop in the price of PVs that it is able to stand tall and alone without the need for any subsidies.
Wind energy occupies a significant chunk of the global renewable energy mix amounting to approximately 7% next only to hydro. Wind turbines have been growing steadily in technology and size so much so that some of them can reach capacities as high as 15MW. Simultaneously their prices too have been witnessing a downward trend propped by technological advancements and increased efficiency levels.
Renewable energy is arguably the current buzz word in all global climate conferences. The world is pinning all its hopes on this magic energy source for guiding it all through its emission reduction path. However how would the world sustain in the absence of sunshine and wind? Energy storage is the solution.
Emissions from Industries especially the heavy ones such as steel, cement and chemicals are unique. They are considered to be hard to abate due to the process emissions as well as the high temperatures required for such processes. Key questions to be discussed are
Opening Remarks Day 2
Green cities (smart cities & communities)
Traditionally Urban Master Plans have been attempting to provide a conceptual blueprint to guide future growth and development. With a projected economic growth as the basis, it provided recommendations for various aspects such as roads, transport, utilities, waste, community facilities etc. However, this has completely changed to align with climate goals and this topic shall debate on
55% of the world's population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. This is bound to put enormous pressure on cities’ infrastructure necessitating for a city that is SMART in design and function. The topic covers
A net zero building should truly stand testimony to its claims! The need is to move from net zero design to net zero operation. Following subjects are to be deliberated:
Green mobility
Transportation is a with transportation sector being looked upon as
Shipping and Aviation pose major challenges to reducing emissions, due to their reliance on oil-based fuels. Although progress is being made on a limited scale, they appear to remain largely reliant on fossil fuels due to the large energy needed. This subject plan to tackle
This electrifying panel is going to delve into the origin of the term “SMART” in the context of the climate action and further attempts to answer the pressing topics such as
Wastewater is often an afterthought — flushed and forgotten — whether from household or commercial use. It receives a step motherly treatment in its perception and remedy. The 2017 United Nations’ Water Development Programme’s World Water Development Report (WWDR) – Wastewater: The Untapped Resource makes clear that we can no longer afford this disconnect. Apparently more than 80% of the world’s is released into the environment untreated posing a threat to mankind and aquatic eco systems. This subject is intended to
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), a well thought out strategy to promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources is crucial to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. This session would discuss a case study.
Sustainable waste management aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible and minimize the amount of solid waste that is disposed of in landfill or through incineration. However, the MENA region faces unsurmountable challenges in handling its waste due to several reasons. This session aims to discuss those in detail with the experts of the industry
Circular economy is much more than closing the traditional linear flow of raw materials. It goes beyond the notion that it is MERE recycling. It changes the way in which value is created and preserved, how production is made more sustainable and which business models are used. It attempts to nudge the market towards value preservation and this session will seek to clarify these principles in detail:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) considers Bioenergy as a versatile renewable energy source that can be used in all sectors, and it can often make use of existing transmission and distribution systems and end-user equipment. Similarly, E-fuels which are produced with the help of electricity from renewable energy sources, water and CO2 from the air, is an interesting emerging subject. This session would attempt to bring clarity on these subjects by discussing
This panel would deep dive into the factors that need to be considered in designing an effective waste management and disposal strategy, by sharing their best practices while cautioning the pitfalls of missing key considerations.
Opening Remarks Day 3
Green Technology Trends
Currently, 96 % of hydrogen is produced on a fossil basis (Grey hydrogen). Green hydrogen which is produced by splitting water by electrolysis (Using Renewable energy) is touted as a potential vehicle to help global economies to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. This session plans to discuss the following
Often considered the last missing link to reach REAL Net Zero, CCUS has been witnessing several ups and downs in its journey. Notwithstanding the inhibitions, hesitations and animosities surrounding it, CCUS is still being pursued in several nations as a last resort to compensate for the emissions that cannot be abated.
Human Capital: The Hidden Gem In The Sustainability Journey
Achieving net zero target requires a paradigm shift in the way we have been dealing with our tried and tested energy systems. Recent inventions, innovations and technologies in materials science have paved the way for several path breaking materials that are not merely smart but sustainable too. Assimilating them across sectors brings about a drastic reduction to the energy demand and hence the associated emissions.
Role of Big Data and AI in climate change adaptation and mitigation
Blockchain is best known as the underlying technology behind digital currencies like bitcoin, but it is seen as a technology that has applications well beyond that. This session attempts to explore it further by directly addressing the following topics
With a portfolio and a very wide basket of technologies, knowledge, and resources available at our free disposal, how exactly to assimilate them to suit our specific requirement is a conundrum. Overdose Detox is the need of the hour and the energetic panel discusses several wide-ranging topics to reinforce the need for critical analysis and introspection prior to assimilation.
Start-up Success Story - Metamorphosis from a start up to an Establishment
To advance the global energy transformation investment in renewable energy needs to be scaled up significantly and urgently. Alongside Investment is greatly desired for climate adaptation as well ensuring that the world in general and MENA in particular in resilient to face the eventual outcome. The following topics gain relevance
Public-private partnership is undoubtedly one of the implementation methods of investment and delivery of public services. This has gained rapid recognition as nations fight to reduce emissions through clean energy technologies as well as supporting their socio-economic agenda.
Investors are increasingly applying Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities. While this non-financial reporting helps to evaluate companies and countries on how far advanced, they are with sustainability and climate action, a big gap seems to be emerging between reporting and actual action.
While there is an obvious propensity towards sustainable investments, industrialists and entrepreneurs feel there are significant barriers to investing sustainably. Significant efforts are underway to alleviate these difficulties and make sustainable investments easier to comprehend for individual investors.
World's most influential media, entertainment & technology show inspirational speakers including game changing not just a large-scale conference
There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for
There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for
There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for
Entertainment & technology show inspirational speakers including game changing not just a large-scale conference but a large educational hub.
Sponsorship and branding opportunities:
Contact : info@msevents.ae