The World Green Economy Summit (WGES), organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), has unveiled the agenda for its 10th edition. Set to take place on Wednesday, 2 October 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the two-day summit will feature 22 seminars, panel discussions and presentations. The event will bring together prominent leaders, experts, specialists and policymakers from around the world.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the summit will address critical issues surrounding climate action and the green economy. With the theme ‘Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress’, the event aims to further the UAE’s leadership in global climate initiatives.
First Day (2 October 2024)
The first day of the summit will feature sessions on a range of key topics, beginning with a session titled ‘International Co-operation on Climate Mitigation’. This session will emphasise the critical importance of treaties, agreements and collaborative projects in tackling climate change on a global scale.
After the official opening ceremony, the summit will host a session titled ‘Empowering Small Businesses for a Sustainable Future’. This session will explore regional co-operation and innovation strategies aimed at accelerating the growth and sustainability of small businesses. The first day will also feature a session titled ‘Power Grid Integration Challenges and Solutions: Managing Variability and Ensuring Reliability in the Power Grid’, focusing on the complexities of integrating energy networks. Additionally, there will be a session titled ‘Measuring and Reporting Carbon Footprints’, where experts will discuss best practices to ensure transparency and accountability in carbon measurement and benchmarking.
"Decarbonisation is not just a goal – it's a responsibility. Achieving net zero means securing a future where our progress does not come at the cost of our planet,” said HE Jean Baptiste Djebbari, former Minister of Transport in France.
Jean Louis Morcos, Senior Investment Officer and Regional Sustainable and Climate Finance Lead at IFC, said the impact of climate change “cuts across all aspects of our economy – from the way we travel to the way we consume energy to our food chains”.
“Embracing a green economy requires all parties within the public sector and the private sector to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The World Green Economy Summit is a great forum to help achieve these goals and I look forward to attending it,” added Morcos.
The first day of the summit will continue with a session titled ‘Decarbonising Energy-Intensive and Hard-to-Abate Industries’, focusing on strategies to reduce carbon emissions in the heavy transport, construction, energy and chemicals sectors. The role of sustainable aviation fuel in achieving net zero will be addressed during the session called ‘Flying High: Key Sustainability Steps the Aviation Industry Needs to Take by 2030’. Additionally, the day will feature a session titled ‘4Ps: Adding Another ‘P’ to PPP (Public-Private Partnerships + Philanthropists)’, which will highlight the importance of collaboration between philanthropists and the public and private sectors to drive effective climate solutions. Another session, ‘How Can We Use AI to Help Create a Sustainable Future?’, will delve into the potential applications of artificial intelligence in fostering a sustainable future.
“At Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), we are committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and becoming a sustainability leader for the aluminium industry by 2030. We have a clear road map to achieve this ambition. But we cannot do this alone. Decarbonising hard-to-abate industries requires cross-sector collaboration and innovation. Together, we can work with governments to introduce supportive policies, financing and technology to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. That is why I look forward to sharing our experience and learning from others at the World Green Economy Summit," said Najeeba Al Jabri, Vice President - Environment, Health and Security (EHS), Emirates Global Aluminium.
During the session titled ‘Strategies for Carbon Capture and Storage: Exploring and Incorporating Emerging Technologies and Their Potential Impact’, experts will examine the challenges and vast opportunities associated with carbon capture and storage solutions. The summit will also feature a ministerial discussion on ‘Climate Finance and Green Economy’. The first day will conclude with a session titled ‘The Role of Green Hydrogen in Decarbonising Energy Systems and Industrial Processes’, which will explore the potential of green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel and a reliable source of clean energy.
“Green hydrogen is pivotal for decarbonising energy systems and industrial processes, especially in regions like MENA. By leveraging abundant renewable resources, green hydrogen offers a pathway to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, enabling a sustainable energy transition while fostering economic growth through cleaner energy exports and diversified industrial applications,” said Akram Alami, Senior Partner and Middle East Head of Utilities, Aviation and Sustainability and Responsibility practices at Bain & Company.
Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank, said: “Our efforts reflect the vital role that banks play in supporting the real economic transition to net-zero emissions, and contribute to setting standards that the sector as a whole can follow. We have made significant progress in strategic financing by providing financing for sustainable projects in the energy, buildings, transportation, waste, water and food sectors.”
Second Day (Thursday, 3 October 2024)
The second day of the summit will begin with a dialogue session titled ‘Global Agricultural Production Will Need to Double by 2050: How Do We Meet Growing Global Agricultural Needs?’ This session will explore the emerging technologies and policies required to drive positive change in the global food system. Following this, ‘The Circular Economy Integration and Waste Reduction Strategy Implementation’ session will focus on the importance of adopting circular practices and the challenges of integrating them into the current economic model. The next session, ‘Carbon Credit and Trading: Carbon Calculations and Creating a Carbon Credit Market’, will examine the opportunities and challenges in developing carbon credit markets. The day will also include a session titled ‘Funding and Financing of Clean Technology’, which will underscore the critical role of clean technology in climate action and the pressing need to secure financing for its development.
HE Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “WGES is a major step in our journey to build a sustainable green economy that aligns with our national vision for the future. We, in the UAE, believe that shifting to a green economy is not only an environmental obligation but also a genuine opportunity to drive innovation, create new jobs and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come. Through its national strategies, sustainable policies and ambitious initiatives, the UAE places sustainability at the heart of its decision-making process. We are committed to achieving the right balance between environmental protection and economic growth through adopting the latest technologies and innovations.”
He added: “We put high emphasis on collaborative work between the government and the private sector. We support public-private partnerships that contribute to a more sustainable future and believe that sustainability challenges can only be overcome by a collective response. We are confident that WGES will greatly contribute to developing effective solutions and highlighting new initiatives that drive an integrated green economy.”
HE Al Mazrouei further noted that the summit is a valuable opportunity to enhance global dialogue and experience sharing, as experts and decision makers from across the world come together to find the best approach to shifting to a green economy.
Christine R. Gould, Founder, Thought For Food®, said the Middle East region, by turning its challenges into opportunities, can lead in building climate-smart, nourishing food systems.
“I’m excited to explore how the right investments and policies can drive forward the goals of the green economy, ensuring that the innovative food and water solutions we now have access to can scale and grow, uplifting communities and creating a lasting, profitable impact for our planet,” added Gould.
Stwart Peña Feliz, Co-founder & CEO, MacroCycle Technologies, said: "The key to a truly circular economy lies not just in our commitment to recycling, but in pioneering technologies that make it an economically attractive opportunity. By innovating capital and process efficient technologies, we can revolutionize the infrastructure of waste to valuable resources, ensuring that sustainability is not just a goal but an economic reality.”
Karim El-Jisr, Executive Director of Sustainability Performance and Accreditation at Red Sea Global (RSG), said green finance holds the key to unlocking the vast potential of climate action, empowering innovative solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
“This year’s WGES emphasises that sustainable funding and financing of clean technologies are essential for driving transformative change on a global scale. By channelling investments into regenerative projects, such as those spearheaded at Red Sea Global, we can ensure a future that harmonises economic growth with environmental stewardship,” added El-Jisr.
Harald Friedl, Senior Circular Economy Expert at UNDP, said: “WGES is a crucial moment to advance more action for a fair and prosperous world. The time for 'just words' is over!”
Dr Hamid Haqparwar, CEO of AGMC and Director of the Albatha Automotive Group, said he is honoured to join the World Green Economy Summit, which he described as a vital platform for driving the global transition to sustainability.
“At AGMC, we are not just committed to leading this change – we are actively shaping it through innovation and tangible actions. I look forward to engaging with fellow industry leaders to explore forward-looking solutions for a rapid green economy transition,” he said.
The second day’s programme will also feature a session titled ‘Legislation for Carbon Pricing and Emissions Trading’, which will emphasise the crucial role of governments and regulatory frameworks in driving the low-carbon economy. Another session, ‘Growth Opportunities for Adoption and Integration of Clean Energy Advancements’, will focus on enhancing various renewable energy sources. The summit will also dedicate a session, ‘Reducing Emissions in a Food System Currently Responsible for More Than One Third of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions’, to discuss solutions needed to overcome structural challenges in the global food system. Additionally, the session titled ‘COP28 Agreement on Tripling of Renewable Energy Capacities: Progress and Milestones’ will review the progress made on renewable energy pledges since COP28.
“The energy transition will require an economy-wide effort, interlinked with almost every sector. While policies and regulations to scale up and support renewable energy generation and integration are critical, they must be part of a broader framework that extends beyond the energy sector. This holistic approach is essential to drive the structural changes needed to ensure the transition not only succeeds but also promotes more equitable outcomes,” said Gauri Singh, Deputy Director General of IRENA.
Sahar Shamsi, Partner at Oxera, said: “Decarbonising energy is essential both to reduce emissions at source in power generation, as well as to facilitate the net-zero transition by industrial and domestic users that need clean energy sources to be able to achieve their own transition pathways. In achieving this transition, it is important for transparent and consistent regulation and policy to be developed. This is because the development and uptake of green energy requires an alignment of stakeholders’ interests to: 1) deliver technological innovation, 2) incentivise entry of capital, and 3) achieve consumer acceptance. The world, therefore, faces a timely opportunity to get faster and more efficient delivery of the net zero transition, by focusing on national and international co-ordination in energy regulation and policy.”
For Mohammed Abdulkareem AlShamsi, Chief Officer Climate Change and Sustainability at DEWA, advancements in clean energy are pivotal in shaping a sustainable future.
“By harnessing renewable resources such as solar and hydrogen energy, we are redefining how power is generated and consumed. DEWA is at the forefront of this transformation, contributing to Dubai’s ambitious goals through projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and pioneering green hydrogen initiatives. These efforts are crucial in reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and positioning Dubai as a global leader in achieving Net Zero by 2050,” said AlShamsi.
The second day of the summit will continue with a session titled ‘The Critical Role of Youth in Shaping a Sustainable Future’, providing a platform for young experts to share their insights and knowledge in climate action. Another session, ‘District Cooling, Retrofitting and Other Methods to Drive Energy Efficiency’, will explore cutting-edge technologies and their role in reducing carbon footprint. The summit will conclude with a dialogue session titled ‘Consumer Spending and the Importance of Behaviour as a Pillar of the Circular Economy’, where experts will discuss key strategies to empower consumers in making informed decisions and adopting sustainable practices.
“Dubai’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions is rapidly advancing through innovative energy solutions. At Etihad ESCO, every retrofit and solar installation we undertake is a step towards a city that excels economically while leading the way in environmental stewardship to combat climate change. A typical commercial building retrofitted by Etihad ESCO can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 35%,” said Dr Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad Energy Services (Etihad ESCO).
Lydia Sanz Lozano, Co-Vice Chair of Programming for the Student Energy Summit 2023, said: “By engaging in powerful conversations with stakeholders and local communities, as young people we can help to accelerate an energy transition that is just and equitable for everyone. As young people, we are motivated to innovate new solutions in our communities, advocate for ambitious policy changes in negotiation rooms and partner for social change across generations and sectors to build ‘Our Climate Community’ and solve our generation's greatest challenge.”
Empowering youth to take a leading role in sustainability is not only crucial for the success of climate strategies but also vital for ensuring a sustainable future for all, said Majd Fayyad, DSM Strategy and Policy Lead at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Director and Board Member of the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team.
“The World Green Economy Summit is a flagship global event that drives critical conversations around sustainability and decarbonisation while emphasising the essential role of youth in shaping innovative, impactful solutions for a greener future,” said Fayyad.
Florence Bulté, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chalhoub Group, said sustainability is the heartbeat of their operations.
“Our Circularity Report underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainable business models as we strive for net zero by 2040. In the dynamic fashion sector, which accounts for approximately 10% of global CO2 emissions, adopting circular initiatives is not optional but essential. The GCC re-commerce luxury market, valued at USD 480 million to USD 500 million in 2022 and growing at 15% annually, exemplifies the shift towards circularity driven by conscious consumer behaviour and luxury brands adapting globally. This trend reflects a significant paradigm shift where policy makers, regulators, brands, retailers and customers must align to drive forward sustainable practices. At Chalhoub Group, we are leveraging these insights to innovate and strengthen our strategy and operations, ensuring that sustainability remains the core of our business ethos,” she said.
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