Talking points:

• Key takeaways from COP28, and where are we in 2024 in terms of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and Net Zero emissions?
• What new governance/mandates relating to real estate development/operations, and the energy sector have been rolled out post COP28? What should be mandated to supercharge the push towards Net Zero?
• How can we shift mindsets away from short-term thinking and the pursuit of profits at the expense of the environment?
• Biggest opportunities and threats to decarbonising the construction and energy sectors
• Critical built environment and energy issues that need to be addressed in the Middle East
• How can key construction and energy stakeholders influence change across their respective sectors in the absence of government mandates?
• What do we need to adopt from international markets in terms of governance on sustainable development and energy?
• The dangers of greenwashing and why actual sustainable action can bring tangible business benefits

Talking points:

• Developing a supply chain robust enough to supply sustainable products for real estate development including low carbon concrete, green steel etc.
• What alternative materials can the industry turn to, to slash the embodied carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure?
• What materials can the built environment adopt so that structures and infrastructure become carbon sinks?
• 3D printing vs Modular construction – which technology holds the key to sustainable development in the future?
• Electrifying jobsites – how feasible is it to adopt and use electric machinery and equipment exclusively to deliver projects in the region?
• Tackling construction and demolition waste – how can waste be addressed sustainably?

Talking points:

• Solar energy continues to permeate the Middle East but what other clean energy sources should countries in the region be looking into developing to diversify their energy mix? What are the opportunities and challenges associated with these alternative clean energy sources?
• Why are fossil fuel energy plants still being developed when renewables have become a cost effective and viable alternative?
• Can existing fossil fuel power plants be made more sustainable? What can be done to make aging power plants more efficient and clean?
• Are state of the art waste-to-energy facilities the answer to diverting waste from landfills?
• Nuclear microreactors or small modular reactors are seeing a lot of active development by global and local nuclear energy players – could this be the solution to decarbonise heavy industry in the region?
• Development of Green Hydrogen facilities and its place in the Middle East’s energy mix
• Are current Battery Energy Storage Systems the answer to filling in energy gaps when renewable sources are not producing power at their best? What alternatives are available that can be adopted on a large scale?
• What mandates does the government need to roll out to push decarbonisation of the energy sector?