Future Energy Insights: Recent Episodes
World Future Energy Summit
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and global thinkers, Future Energy Insights by the World Future Energy Summit takes an in-depth look at renewable energy and sustainability. Featuring lively debate and passionate discussion, the series covers six core topics: clean energy, water scarcity, smart cities, circular economies, waste management and climate change. It shines a spotlight on the critical issues and major gamechangers shaping the sector today.
As power grids grow more complex, operators need tools that can simulate faster, plan with greater precision, and anticipate stress before it hits. Digital twins are emerging as one of the most powerful ways to model system behaviour in real time and test future scenarios. In this episode, we explore where digital twins can make the biggest immediate impact on grid planning and operations, how far digitalisation can realistically take us without deeper infrastructure upgrades, and whether data quality, system integration, or legacy assets remain the toughest barrier to scaling their use.
Speakers:
- Lubo Minchev, CEO, Telelink Infra
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Hydrogen is becoming a critical pillar of the clean energy transition, but scaling it demands both technological progress and innovative financing. In this episode, two experts explore what it will take to build a competitive hydrogen economy, from production targets and cost‑competitiveness to the bankable offtake agreements needed for viable projects. They also explore long‑term contracts and financing structures designed to unlock capital for high‑capex projects.
Speakers:
- Alicia Eastman, Managing Director, APC Investors
- Santosh Raikar, Managing Partner, Silverpeak
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
The UAE-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has entered a new phase - one that puts renewable energy at the centre of bilateral cooperation. In this episode, we explore how this expansion could unlock new investment and technology exchange, and what it could mean for long‑term energy security. We discuss where CEPA can create immediate shared value across clean‑energy supply chains, the regulatory and certification hurdles that need to be solved, and the opportunities emerging in Australia for UAE companies looking to establish a foothold in its evolving energy market.
Speakers:
- Trevor Ducharme, President, Global CMX
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Rapid population growth, economic diversification, and data intensive technologies are driving unprecedented electricity demand across the region. Utilities are being asked to connect loads that would have been unimaginable a decade ago, due to data centres, industrial clusters, and hydrogen production.
Integrating these demands safely and quickly is becoming one of the defining challenges for planners and regulators.
Joining us to explore what it takes to prepare the grid for this new scale of demand is Danny Touma, Partner, PwC Middle East.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
In this episode, we focus on how finance can accelerate real‑world climate solutions. The episode opens with transition finance, examining how credible capital frameworks can support hard‑to‑abate sectors and drive decarbonisation across an economy. The conversation then shifts to the blue economy, exploring investment in early‑stage companies developing ocean‑focused technologies, services and products. Together, the discussions highlight where capital is moving, what credibility requires, and how innovation is being funded at the frontiers of climate action.
Speakers:
- Vanessa Havard Williams, OBE, Chair of the UK's Transition Finance Market Review
- Jerome Ternynck, Co-Founder, Rypples
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
SAVVY Charging Technologies' CEO and Founder Muhammad Jamal explains how on-demand mobile charging helps fleet operators cut infrastructure costs while accelerating EV adoption.
Speakers:
- Muhammad Jamal, CEO and Founder, SAVVY Charging Technologies
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2B Connect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Carbon capture and storage is considered essential for its contribution to climate stabilisation. Its success hinges on investment into scalable CCS technologies, clear regulations, and greater commitment of the government and private industry. Often flagged for being too expensive, in this episode, we explore the latest advancements of CCS, efforts to scale its use, and discuss some of the projects that are underway.
Speakers:
- Siddharth Jain, Field Development Manager, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC)
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2B Connect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Advanced air mobility is emerging as a potentially transformative mode of transport. Electric vehicle, take-off, and landing aircraft or eVTOLs are capturing public imagination. If pilot projects prove reliable, we stand at the beginning of a revolution in how people move within and between cities.
This episode examines the evolution of technologies, regulatory frameworks, and the infrastructure that would determine eVTOL rollout. We discuss how eVTOLs can integrate with existing transport networks, the infra required, and the urban planning choices that will shape where and how they fly.
Will eVTOLs be an urban mobility revolution that transforms city travel or a set of expensive, high-profile pilot projects that ultimately fail to take off?
Speakers:
- Gary Newman, Aviation Consultant, Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport
- Daniel O’Neill, General Manager – Middle East, Skyports
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2B Connect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
CleanTech breakthroughs can shine at the prototype stage, but stall before reaching full-scale deployment. The reasons vary - it's a poor market fit, adopts the wrong business model, is too complex to scale, supply chain challenges, or regulations.
This episode explores what it takes to move from a promising pilot to real-world impact, and how entrepreneurs, governments, and investors can work together to make it happen.
Speakers:
- Mohamed Haythem Riahi, Co-founder and CEO at Circa BioTech
- Mohammed Omar Khan, Principal, Oraseya Capital
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2B Connect
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the energy sector, from predictive maintenance in power grids to optimizing renewable energy sources and improving efficiency in energy consumption.
In this episode, we look at the cutting-edge ways AI is shaping the future of energy infrastructure and management, exploring the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Join our speakers as they take a deep dive into the use of AI in the energy sector and on the grid.
Speakers:
- Kartik Balasubramaniam, Vice President, Development – Engineering, Technical and Operational Excellence, Generation at TAQA
- Nawel Mahmoudi, Co-Founder and CEO at ValueGrid
- Mohammed Ali Khan, Senior Vice President at AIQ
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
The rapid expansion of data centres is fuelling an urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. As demand for cloud computing and AI accelerates, investors, developers, operators, hyperscalers, and end users must find ways to minimise carbon footprints while ensuring reliable, efficient power. But what are the most viable pathways forward?
This podcast will investigate the energy landscape shaping the future of data centres, discussing the low-carbon pathways being taken. It will look at the growing importance of clean energy use for data centres, ask what energy types will be needed to ensure efficient supply, if carbon offsets are required to efficiently meet energy demands, and the potential technologies that will become more important with the rise of AI, providing a pathway to balancing sustainability and resilience in a power-hungry digital era.
Guests
- Michel Abi Saab, General Manager, Emerge
- Sujit Nair, Director of Product, Moro Hub
- Rob Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Grid-scale energy storage systems such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are revolutionising the clean energy landscape. As renewable energy sources continue to expand, their intermittency is a challenge for grid stability. BESS mitigates this by storing excess energy to balance supply and demand and enhance energy resilience. Advanced storage systems are accelerating the transition to a low carbon future, and playing a crucial role in improving grid efficiency.
This episode will discuss advancements in battery technology that are making large-scale long duration energy storage more cost-effective and efficient. It also looks at investments being made by governments and the private sector, and explores how these systems can transform energy markets.
Guests
- Bruce Smith, Executive Director, Strategy and Planning, Emirates Water & Electricity Company
- Robert Jones, Partner, B2BConnect (Moderator)
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
As the global shift towards a circular economy accelerates, the waste management industry faces a defining challenge: how does it eliminate landfill reliance while ensuring sustainable, efficient solutions? Governments and major private-sector players are pushing for repair, recycle, and reuse - but when end of its life is unavoidable, how should waste be handled?
Waste-to-energy is a viable alternative, becoming an important pillar for managing municipal waste sustainably. By converting discarded materials into usable power and minimising the volume that ends up in landfills, this approach helps reduce environmental impact, supports energy diversification, and contributes to a cleaner future.
It comes with some complexities, from feedstock calculations to the economic trade-offs of incineration for electricity versus landfill disposal. However, waste-to-energy continues to prove its potential as a key component of a sustainable waste management strategy, offering a pathway towards a future where waste is no longer a burden but a resource.
Featuring waste experts Tim Clarke, CEO of Warsan Waste Management Company, and Daker El Rabaya, CEO, Waste Processing, Treatment & Disposal at BEEAH. Moderated by Rob Jones, Partner at B2B Connect.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
This episode will explore human-centric design in smart buildings. As technology reshapes the spaces we use, the focus is shifting towards ensuring that our built spaces enhance human well-being, productivity, and connectivity. During this podcast, we will discuss how smart buildings will be increasingly expected to adapt to human needs.
We’ll explore how technology is changing the occupant experience, integrating AI and other advanced technologies into our environments, the role of biophilic design on wellbeing in urban settings, and ethical considerations in our data-driven built environments, offering insights into creating smart buildings with people at their core.
We are joined this month by our Moderator Robert Jones, Partner, Content Director, and Event Consultant at B2B Connect and our speakers Haithem Ibraheem, Vice President Operations, Brookfield Properties and Dr. Jacinta Dsilva, Director of Research, Living Lab and International Partnerships, SEE Institute.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Despite growing commitments from both the public and private sectors, the flow of capital into green projects continues to lag behind demand. High investment risks, regulatory hurdles, and structural inefficiencies are slowing progress—particularly in emerging markets.
So, how can we bridge this gap? How do we unlock greater investment, direct funds where they are needed most, and build financial mechanisms that drive long-term, sustainable growth?
In this episode, we explore the barriers to scaling green finance, examine how funding is being allocated, and discuss the strategies needed to ensure equitable access—particularly for the Global South and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates is joined this month by Hanan Bakr Sakr, CEO & founder of Al Ard and Karim Arslan, Executive Director, Green & Sustainable Finance Originator at Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
As urban landscapes continue to evolve, the challenges we face are becoming increasingly complex.
Climate change, population growth, and rapid urbanisation are pushing cities to their limits, necessitating smarter, more adaptive solutions. This is where technology comes into play.
From advanced AI and big data integration to resilient infrastructure and forward-thinking mobility solutions, the potential for transformative change is immense.
In this episode, our team explores the cutting-edge intersection of AI, data systems and urban infrastructure – a convergence that is not only transforming cities but also fundamentally reshaping our approach to sustainable living.
We’ll discuss how these innovations are driving urban resilience. What defines a city that is not only sustainable but also responsive and adaptable to the needs of its inhabitants? How can cognitive buildings, smart infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles collaborate to create more livable and efficient urban environments?
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates is joined this month by Sebastien Miller, Public Realm Design Manager at Masdar City and Mohamed Moselhy, Global Smart Cities Director at Honeywell.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Water security is one of the most pressing challenges in arid regions, where the combination of limited natural water resources and increasing demand places immense pressure on existing systems.
The impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts, higher temperatures, and shifting precipitation patterns, exacerbate these challenges, reducing the reliability of traditional water sources. At the same time, rapid urbanisation further strains the infrastructure, as growing populations and expanding cities drive up water consumption, often beyond sustainable levels.
These compounded factors highlight the urgent need for innovative, adaptive, and integrated approaches to water management that address both current vulnerabilities and future uncertainties.
In this episode, we’ll explore how technology is transforming water management, shifting the narrative from scarcity to resilience. From AI-driven leak detection and smart water grids to advanced desalination and stormwater capture systems, we’ll uncover the innovations that are redefining sustainable water security.
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates is joined by Dr. Najib Dandachi, CEO at Al Usul and Prof. Fadi Comair, The Cyprus Institute and Senior Expert, Obeid & Partners Law Firm.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
The demand for renewable energy is surging, and startups are stepping up as key players in driving innovation for energy efficiency and storage.
But what exactly are they doing, and how are they overcoming the challenges of a rapidly evolving clean energy sector?
In this episode of Future Energy Insights, we’re spotlighting the incredible work of startups across the MENA region, from cutting-edge technologies to creative strategies that are helping to integrate renewables, ensure grid stability, and pave the way for a reliable, decarbonised energy future.
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates is joined by Mike Sronce, Managing Director & Vice President at Sargent & Lundy and Dr. Morgan Eldred, Founder of Digital Energy.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
As green hydrogen takes centre stage in global decarbonisation efforts, the race to make it cost-competitive is intensifying. In 2023 alone, more than $570 billion was invested globally, positioning green hydrogen as a game-changer for clean energy. However, challenges in production costs, securing demand, and scaling infrastructure remain barriers to its broader adoption.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has a unique advantage, with abundant renewable energy resources, industrial heritage, and proximity to key demand centres. Yet, to realise its potential, the region must address bottlenecks such as the complexity of the supply chain, a lack of mature infrastructure, and the difficulty of establishing long-term offtake agreements for hydrogen projects.
Innovative approaches, such as Germany’s H2 Global initiative and localised research and development efforts like NEOM’s Hydrogen Innovation and Development Centre, are helping to bridge these gaps. By fostering regional collaboration and advancing storage and transport solutions, MENA can establish itself as a leader in the global hydrogen economy.
In Episode 22 of Future Energy Insights, Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Cornelius Matthes, CEO of Dii Desert Energy, and Panos Bafis, a leading hydrogen investment expert. Together, they discuss how the MENA region can overcome barriers, seize opportunities, and accelerate the path to making green hydrogen a cornerstone of the energy transition.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
What lessons can the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and regional businesses draw from COP29’s outcomes to accelerate its sustainability journey?
Hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29 marked a turning point with commitments to scale climate finance, operationalise carbon markets, and enhance adaptation frameworks. These global developments have significant implications for MENA, particularly as the region strives to balance economic growth with ambitious sustainability goals.
Key outcomes include a pledge to triple climate finance to developing nations, reaching $300 billion annually by 2035, and advancements in Article 6 carbon market mechanisms, opening opportunities for carbon trading and crediting in developing countries. Additionally, the Baku Adaptation Roadmap emphasised the importance of transformational strategies to bolster climate resilience.
For SMEs that form the backbone of MENA’s economy, these milestones present opportunities to access new markets, funding, and technologies that can align their operations with global sustainability goals. However, challenges remain, from navigating complex regulatory landscapes to building capacity for adaptation and decarbonisation.
In episode 21 of Future Energy Insights, Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Eftal Efeçınar, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer at Coral and David Auriau, Chief Executive Officer at Positive Zero. Together, they delve into how the MENA region can build upon COP29 outcomes to create a sustainable and resilient future.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a game-changer in the energy sector, with the potential to bring new levels of optimisation and efficiency. On episode 20, we delve into how AI could help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% by 2030, examining the innovations that could transform energy management worldwide.
From predicting building energy use to improving manufacturing processes and even boosting agricultural yields, AI offers powerful tools for energy efficiency. But, like any powerful tool, AI comes with its own energy needs. The computing power required for AI is growing rapidly, doubling every 100 days, according to some studies. This surge in demand has even led to coal-fired power plants in parts of the U.S. being kept online to support new data centres.
Episode 20 explores the balance needed to ensure AI remains a sustainable solution.
Dr. Morgan Eldred, founder of Digital Energy consultancy services and an expert in AI-driven energy efficiencies, and Hassan Shamma, Chief Technology Officer at UAE-based Enerwhere, specialising in off-grid solar solutions, join Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, to discuss the double-edged sword of AI’s energy-saving potential alongside its growing energy consumption
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
With the current financing gap for climate tech estimated to be as high as US$2 trillion, innovators and entrepreneurs in the space often struggle to secure funding. On episode 19 we discuss exactly what makes a climate tech project attractive to the investment community with key insights that every startup needs to know.
For entrepreneurs and startups in the climate tech space, securing funding can be a major barrier to opportunity and growth.
According to research by Deloitte, the current financing gap for climate tech could be as much as US$2 trillion. Recently released data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance also revealed that global sustainable finance issuance volumes stood at US$1.3 trillion in 2023 - down from US$1.55 trillion the year prior, and from the US$1.8 trillion peak in 2021.
Global economic uncertainty, greenwashing concerns, regulatory opacity and horizon scaling issues are all contributing factors, which means that breakthrough innovators need to up their investability game while investors, in turn, need to be prepared to take a leap of faith.
On episode 19, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we chat with two UAE based experts and examine what it will take to improve entrepreneur access to green finance; discuss exactly what makes a climate tech project attractive to the investment community; and share key insights on how to present your idea or business in the best investable light.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Rabih El Chaar, CEO and co-founder of waste management innovator Nadeera Technologies, and Jana Elkova, Small and Medium Projects Development Expert for the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
From privately owned vehicles to company fleets and mass transit, eMobility investment and strategies are shaping our transportation future. On episode 18 we look at how global cities are adopting and scaling their electric networks and discuss potential economic opportunity in establishing local manufacturing capabilities.
Urban planners, municipalities and policy makers are increasingly shifting focus towards low-carbon mobility solutions as federal governments continue to action net-zero 2050 strategies.
The role of eMobility in supporting sustainable urban development under the scope of the United Nations SDG 11 reflects a global push for electric vehicle adoption by individuals, for company fleets, and as future-proofed mass transit solutions.
Cities around the world are adopting and scaling their electric public transportation networks while the sector also offers fresh economic opportunity in terms of investment into manufacturing technologies at a national level.
On episode 18, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we discuss what needs to be done to drive adoption private and public sector buy-in; examine the state-of-play for critical infrastructure development; and, with both the UAE and Saudi Arabia investing in electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), ask what does this mean for the region and the global outlook for eMobility?
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Naveen Ahmed, Advisor & Country Transaction Coordinator Pakistan for the Private Financing Advisory Network, and Ali Al Marzooqi, Director of Mobility at Positive Zero.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @worldfutureenergysummit and visit our website www.worldfutureenergysummit.com.
Sustainable, resilient, and climate-positive urban environments are not a pipe dream, and regenerative design is a game-changer in transforming the built environment. On episode 17, we discuss how governments, urban planners, and communities can come together to reverse climate change.
By 2050, two out of every three people will be living in cities or major urban centres. With cities generating around 75 percent of global CO2 emissions, the race is on to create sustainable, resilient, and climate-restorative cities.
Regenerative urban design will play a pivotal role in helping transform the built environment to enhance potential for net-positive impact on natural systems. From retrofitting a commercial building with a green skin to creating wetlands that capture and store rainwater, there is ample opportunity for cities and citizens to rebuild a harmonised relationship with nature.
This episode was recorded during the 2024 World Future Energy Summit. Our invited experts identify the global cities setting benchmarks for regenerative design, discuss what it takes for a city to become a carbon sink, and ask whether major gateways like London, New York and Dubai can go beyond carbon neutrality and into the realm of carbon negativity?
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Dr Hala Omar, Sustainability Manager at turnkey consultancy Dar Al-Handasah, and Vice President of the Egypt Green Building Council; and Laurence Kemball-Cook, founder and CEO of clean-tech company, Pavegen.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Imagine a world where treated wastewater not only protects our environment but also drives innovation and creates jobs. This vision remains largely untapped, yet it's within our reach!
According to current UN Environment Programme data, only 11% of the world’s treated wastewater is reused. Shockingly, around 50% of untreated wastewater pollutes our rivers, lakes, and oceans.
In Episode 16, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we explore the future of wastewater treatment with two leading experts in the field.
Beyond irrigation and industrial cooling, treated wastewater can recharge groundwater aquifers, be used as a concrete additive in construction, and even produce biogas through waste-to-energy technology.
Treated wastewater reuse is a valuable yet underutilised resource. It offers a circular economy opportunity, creates new revenue streams and jobs, fosters innovation, and advances wastewater management practices.
Our host, Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Alicia Dauth, Senior Associate Consultant – Environment at AESG,
and Dr Chakravarthy Gudipati, Executive Director - Water Technologies at the Technology Innovation Institute, a leading global research centre under the remit of the Abu Dhabi Government’s Advanced Technology Research Council.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest technologies transforming wastewater treatment and optimising its usage.
Join us on Future Energy Insights as we tackle the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy, both in the Middle East and around the world.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Anticipated rampant growth in global demand for green hydrogen presents a major economic opportunity for many countries and is also a progressive zero-carbon journey solution for heavy industry high emitters. On episode 15, we examine both opportunities, looking at which countries are already keen on clean hydrogen and what’s driving strategic decision-making.
Green hydrogen, a clean and scalable energy storage solution, is more than just a zero-emission industrial feedstock. It's a transformative energy source with incredible potential, positioning itself as a beacon of sustainability.
The clean hydrogen market is expected to see exponential future demand growth. McKinsey reports that by 2050, green hydrogen could dominate the global supply mix, with a share of between 50 and 65 percent across scenarios.
While this is contingent upon a significant decline in production costs between 2030 and 2050, it represents a major economic opportunity for GCC nations and other global players.
But for heavy industry high emitters, abundant green hydrogen resources can’t be ignored as a zero-carbon solution and could be one of the most straightforward ways to cut emissions.
In episode 15, recorded at the 2024 World Future Energy Summit, we engage in a thought-provoking discussion with two climate change innovators. We explore the crucial decision of whether to localize or commercialize, delve into the factors driving strategic decision-making for governments, and ponder over what it means for countries in the region and their ambitious regional net-zero goals.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Frank Wouters, Chairman of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance and Dii Desert Energy Advisory Board; and Wietse ter Veld, Clean Hydrogen Expert - Middle East for AtkinsRéalis.
Powered by World Future Energy Summit, the Future Energy Insights show seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
The UN estimates that women represent a staggering 80% of those displaced by climate change yet, globally, they are instrumental in promoting sustainable practices in their households and communities.
Climate change is a global issue that impacts – and involves - all of us, however there is a distinct disparity when it comes to the impact on gender with women especially vulnerable, due to historical roles, responsibilities and cultural norms.
Women are also playing an increasingly prominent role in addressing climate change mitigation; and stand at the forefront of efforts to conserve, advocate and innovate.
While women currently account for just over one-third of the renewable energy workforce, according to IRENA data, global research suggests that female leaders are more likely to support climate action and sustainability. Interestingly, private sector companies with more women on the board more likely to improve overall energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and invest in renewable energy.
Joining our moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates, in episode 14, is Susan Payne, COO at Sustainable Planet. A financier, lawyer and emerging markets specialist and Nada Abubakr, Middle East Lead at global water practice, Ricardo, sharing their insights into their respective career journeys and the importance of female leadership in this planet-critical sector.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Considering the diverse challenges cities face, what innovative strategies can they implement to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future?
Future Energy Insights seeks to address the most significant challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world.
Responsible for generating 70% of global emissions, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called the world’s cities ‘critical climate battlegrounds’.
This issue was formally recognised at COP28 with the final agreement highlighting the role of cities and relevant subnational players as partners for action.
From urban planning, sustainable architecture and green building standards to biodiversity preservation, renewable energy adoption and public transportation infrastructure, cities have myriad opportunities to implement climate-positive change.
In episode 13, our moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates, explores and discusses the initiatives, opportunities – and challenges – facing cities across the region with Jamila El Mir, senior advisor to the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions for COP28; Benjamin Schroeder, Group Chief Communications Officer for UAE-headquartered Al-Futtaim Group; and Ghaith Tibi, Middle East Sustainability Lead for Arup. They discuss and identify key priorities for greenhouse gas emissions reduction as we count down to 2030 and 2050.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
What significant role do small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in the global journey towards achieving net-zero emissions, particularly in the MENA region?
Globally, small and medium-sized enterprises – SMEs - make up 90% of all businesses and represent more than 50% of employment worldwide. Yet, according to 2023 research by the World Economic Forum and Bain & Company, here, in the MENA region, just 12% of SMEs have set net zero targets with even fewer - 7% - mapping out a transition strategy.
The tide is turning, however.
Through COP28, a new SME Climate Hub MENA initiative has been established to drive climate action in the private sector. In the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce recently launched a Net Zero Transition program for SMEs and the broader business sector. And, in Oman, the government is working with small and medium-sized businesses under the auspices of the National Net Zero Programme to showcase opportunities for them to engage in projects that support zero neutrality and carbon emission reduction goals.
These, and other regional programmes are a critically positive step in driving momentum for the implementation of net-zero strategies in the countdown to 2050.
As countries, governments, cities, businesses, communities and individuals, we all have a role to play in the net-zero journey.
On episode 12, our panelists will examine the net-zero transition challenges facing regional SMEs; discuss what level of support is required to accelerate action; and share positive examples to illustrate why small businesses may be our biggest hope for net zero.
ModeratorJeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined remotely by Dr Saeed Alhassan, A Khalifa University Abu Dhabi professor and former director of the Gas Research Center, and founder of Manhat, Lydia Elliott, Deputy Director, Supplier Decarbonisation at the We Mean Business Coalition and Martin Reynolds,CEO and co-founder of UAE headquartered Zero Carbon Ventures.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
What role can renewable energy solutions and agri-tech play in feeding the world and supporting net-zero goals?
The world’s food production systems are responsible for over 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions with agri-food systems consuming around 30% of the world’s energy. The United Nations has said that farming must become more sustainable to address the climate crisis and feed a rapidly rising global population, which is set to grow by a further two billion people by 2050.
From the implementation of renewable energy solutions such as solar arrays for agri-voltaic farming and geothermal greenhouses to the circular benefits of agricultural biogas, farmers and stakeholders across the food production value chain are switching on to change.
Emerging technologies also have a vital role to play, with smart irrigation systems, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, sensors, and the Internet of Things a sampling of the emerging digital innovations that hold the potential to support long-term food security and mitigate climate change trends.
With a glaring gap between the challenges facing the Global North and the world’s least developed nations, in episode 11, we discuss where should governments and sector stakeholders' priorities be focused, and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone stands to benefit from renewable energy and tech solutions.
ModeratorJeffrey Beyer, Founder, and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Samantha Kayruz, Strategy & Sustainability Impact Director at Goumbook; Youssef Chehade Co-Founder and Business partner at Ecyclex and ReLoop app; and Stuart Oda Founder of Alesca Life.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Transport and mobility currently account for 19 per cent of global carbon emissions, according to McKinsey research.
In the air, on the ground, and at sea, the dual challenge in developing and adopting carbon-neutral transport systems is how to keep people and goods moving while accelerating net-zero commitment.
The International Air Transport Association estimates that sustainable aviation fuel could contribute to around 65 per cent of the required emissions reductions needed for the aviation industry to reach net-zero by 2050. In the rail sector, governments are looking at the potential to convert electric-powered stock to use low-carbon traction options such as hydrogen and battery technology.
Drop-in sustainable marine fuels such as biodiesel and hydro-treated vegetable oil have the potential to steer the maritime sector; with smaller vessels suited to battery or hydrogen fuel cell solutions. And, on road networks, biodiesel, biogas and hydrogen are exploratory options for heavy goods vehicle fleets with EVs the way forward for private vehicles.
Supported by an evolving global regulatory backdrop, the journey towards decarbonising transportation solutions is nonetheless facing numerous roadblocks including cost concerns, infrastructure issues, land degradation challenges, increased future grid demand – and allegations of greenwashing.
In Episode 10, we explore the current transportation energy landscape. From sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel to green hydrogen and electric vehicles; and paint a realistic picture of what needs to be done if we are to go the distance to meet net-zero by 2050.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Maryam Ali AlBalooshi, Environment Manager at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and State Lead Negotiator for Aviation Climate Change; Yousif Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels; and Vimbai Midzi. Associate Director, Corporate Affairs and social and environmental impact lead at Careem.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
COP28, which is due to start in a matter of days, represents the most significant accountability moment for climate action, to date. Eight years on from the Paris Agreement, the September-released United Nations Global Stocktake report is the first official assessment of climate action since 2015.
The report has reaffirmed that the world is falling significantly short of the reduction in greenhouse gases required to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As representatives of the 198 official parties gather in Dubai to hopefully set out a collective and credible pathway to accelerate global action for the planet, will reflection on the Global Stocktake findings be a catalyst for decisive action?
On this podcast we explore the hurdles to accelerating national and collective global action and whether world leaders and governments are prepared to commit to more aggressive emissions-reduction plans, refocus renewable energy targets, and provide much-needed climate finance for developing countries.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Katarina Uherova Hasbani, Partner and Global Director of Strategy and Advisory at consultancy, engineering and advisory firm AESG; Vahid Fotuhi, Founder of the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) and Founder and CEO of global mangrove project developer Blue Forest; and Courtney Fieldman, COP28 Climate Envoy and Founder of SPARK.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Our planet is currently facing the largest wave of urban growth in history.
According to the United Nations, by 2050 more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas. This potentially places huge strain on city services, infrastructure and transportation networks.
From Singapore, which was the first international city to create a country-scale digital twin, to Expo2020 Dubai, the first world fair to use digital twin technology, a growing number of global cities and governments are looking to next-generation virtual model technology to strategise future urban solutions, map out infrastructure upgrades, and fast-track smart development.
On this podcast, we look at how digital twins support smarter city planning and inform strategic decision-making. We explore the ways this, and other complementary disruptive technologies, are shaping the cities of the future; and discuss the role of digital twins in helping cities realise long-term climate change goals.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Oliver Kraft, Executive Vice President Sustainable Communities at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, and Expo2020 Dubai IoT technology blueprint lead; Cristina Savian, CEO and Founder of the BE-WISE consultancy; and Bhaskar Raman, a Digital Metaverse Consultant.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Population growth, rapid urbanisation, unsustainable consumer habits, and public indifference have all played their part in what is becoming a major problem for public health and the environment around the world.
In the GCC alone, member nations currently generate up to 130 million tons of waste every year. Population growth, ongoing urbanisation, shifting consumption habits, a lack of stringent regulation and public indifference have cumulatively amplified the region’s waste management problem over the decades.
In recent years, however, the development of long-term national strategies aligned with significant government investment and the advent of consumer awareness campaigns have set the wheels of change in motion.
The concept of ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ has been widely integrated across the waste management landscape, from landfill diversion initiatives and waste-to-energy programmes - driven by comprehensive circular economy policy frameworks.
On Episode 7, we pinpoint the major challenges facing government and sector stakeholders in the UAE and wider MENA region, and take an in-depth look at the various projects, programmes and initiatives already positively impacting waste reduction goals.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company -Tadweer; Nivine Issa, Senior Environmental Expert and Dr Samar Alghalebi, Director at Smart Waste & Energy Solutions.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Can floating solar achieve price parity with onshore installations? Will evolving technology support sea-based arrays as a solution for desert nations? And what needs to be done to accelerate global adoption?
Growing land scarcity and the rising cost of ground-mounted solar projects are driving demand in global markets from Asia-Pacific to the US. Recently released research from Wood Mackenzie posits an optimistic outlook for the sector with global FPV fleet capacity expected to top the 6W threshold in the next eight years through to 2031.
With potential to free up vital agricultural land in countries where food security is critical; help enable island nations to meet their net-zero pledges; and produce more energy than terrestrial arrays due to the panel-cooling benefit of water, the case for taking solar offshore is gaining momentum.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Alice Cowman, Chief Executive Officer at Enerwhere, the world’s first distributed solar utility company; Karel de Winter, Founder and Commercial Director of Hy-Energie and co-founder of the Middle East Solar Industry Association; and Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and VP for Middle East & Africa at Trina Solar.
In this episode of Future Energy Insights, we'll take a deep dive into the potential of floating photovoltaics (FPVs) as a sustainable alternative to land-based arrays, and what it means for the MENA region.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
One of the greatest challenges of our time, water scarcity is a global issue. What is being done to tackle water scarcity? How are funds being raised? What is and isn’t working?
In this episode of Future Energy Insights we explore the compelling environmental, economic and humanitarian case for financing water projects.
By 2040, worldwide demand is expected to outstrip freshwater supplies, with climate change, over-consumption, conflict, population growth and infrastructure issues all playing a part.
According to UN data, the number of people facing this issue could more than double from 930 million in 2016 to a staggering 2.4 billion people in 2050. The Middle East and North Africa is particularly hard hit, with seven out of 10 of the world’s most water-stressed countries located here in this region.
Moderator Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, is joined by Lu’ay Khdeir, Regional Water Market Director, Middle East, Atkins; Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank; and Clare Dalton, Head of Mission for the International Committee of the Red Cross in the UAE.
Our panelists will explore the value of public-private partnerships in the large-scale utilities sector as well as discussing stakeholder responsibility across NGO-led projects where the end user is a paying customer, and the ongoing role of innovation in leveraging sustained investor interest.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
AI-generated data has the potential to drive energy efficiency and reduce costs, but what about its environmental footprint? And will it lead to the loss of millions of jobs in the sector?
In this episode of Future Energy Insights, we examine the role for AI in the future energy space and discuss how we might future proof technology to ensure it is used to the advantage of all.
AI-generated data is helping to optimise energy efficiency, improve supply and demand predictions, and increase grid flexibility.
Indeed, some believe AI might be the key to answering the long-standing trilemma of providing affordable, safe, and sustainable energy.
But will its long-term environmental footprint make us bad ancestors? And how do we regulate machine learning and protect the jobs it will inevitably replace?
Rui De Sousa, industry & value advisor at SAP, joins Khurram Hamid, author and, co-founder of the Web 3 institute and Dr Patrick Noack, director of Dubai Future Foundation.
This episode is hosted by Jeffrey Beyer, founder of Zest Associates, a sustainability consultancy.
Future Energy Insights is a new podcast from the World Future Energy Summit that seeks to address the biggest challenges shaping the future of energy today, both in the Middle East and around the world. Find us on social media at @WFES
Which countries are leading the field in attracting green hydrogen investment? What lessons can other nations learn from them and why?
According to the International Energy Agency, to help reach net zero emissions globally by 2050, the clean hydrogen market needs $1.2 trillion of investment this decade – a goal we are nowhere close to achieving.
In this, our final episode recorded live at the World Future Energy Summit, we discuss ways to attract public and private-sector funding into the sector.
Join host Jeffrey Beyer in conversation with Justo Alejandro Algaba, Director - Infrastructure Finance, MENAT at HSBC; Claude Mourey, Director, Hydrogen and New Energies – EMEA at Wood Mackenzie; and Adrien d'Ormesson, Investment Manager at Foresight Group, a sustainability-led alternative assets and SME investment manager.
Future Energy Insights is brought to you by the World Future Energy Summit. Find us on social media at @WorldFutureEnergySummit.
Building a local hydrogen market is a hot topic, both globally and in the Middle East. Here, we explore what GCC countries must do to position themselves at the forefront of the hydrogen market and export to the many nations eyeing up this clean energy form.
What infrastructure should be built, partnerships formed and government initiatives introduced to lay robust foundations on which the industry can grow? How important is the need for cross-sector collaboration and why? What role will startups play in building a local hydrogen market?
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder of Zest Associates, is joined by Emanuele Bianco, Policy Program Officer at IRENA; Frank Wouters, Senior Vice President of New Energy at Reliance International, the UAE-based subsidiary of Reliance Industries; and Dr Jehan Kanga, CEO of Rux Energy, an advanced materials startup commercialising the next generation of cathodes, anodes and hydrogen storage materials.
Future Energy Insights is brought to you by the World Future Energy Summit. Find us on social media at @WorldFutureEnergySummit.
The trend towards green hydrogen is gathering pace, both globally and in the Middle East, where the potential for large-scale production and worldwide exportation is huge.
But is the region innovating quickly enough to meet future demand? Which market segments present the biggest opportunities for innovation? How can the industry nurture innovative startups? And what role will photovoltaics, electrolysers and other technologies play in accelerating the market?
Jeffrey Beyer, Founder of Zest Associates, is joined by: Dan Feldman, a partner in the Corporate, Finance and Investments practice at King & Spalding law firm in Abu Dhabi; Alan Zhao, New Power Director – Africa & Middle East at Cummins in Dubai; and Chris Smith, CEO and Founder of Meld Energy, which delivers green hydrogen solutions to a global market.
Future Energy Insights is brought to you by the World Future Energy Summit. Find us on social media at @WorldFutureEnergySummit.
Future Energy Insights brings a mix of passionate debate on the future of energy and sustainability.
Starting with a focus on green hydrogen, each bite-sized episode tackles BIG subjects, from accelerating innovation to unlocking investment, and positioning the MENA region at the forefront of the hydrogen market.
Future Energy Insights features business leaders, policy makers, startups and intellectuals. It is brought to you by the World Future Energy Summit and hosted by Jeffrey Beyer, Founder of Zest Associates.
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