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 @WFES

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 @WFES

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 @WFES

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 @WFES

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 @WFES

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 @WFES

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 @WFES