ADVOCACY: Discover the future of energy
The World Future Energy Summit, taking place on 17-19 January 2022 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is the world’s leading business event for clean energy and sustainability. Running during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which is hosted by Masdar, this is a global hub for innovation, knowledge and business that aims to accelerate sustainable development.
The World Future Energy Summit is attended by key stakeholders from the entire sustainability ecosystem, who have the clout and ability to drive change. The 34,000 attendees from 125 countries at the 2020 summit included 160 ministers and 3,000 C-level executives, alongside a range of other high-level roles, from technical specialists and engineers to architects and VPs.
Sessions are led by high-profile speakers from a diverse range of sectors, with industry leaders and changemakers tackling the most vital topics in the future of energy and sustainability. Previous speakers have included Oliver Kraft, the executive director of Expo 2020 Dubai, Unilever’s Priya Sarma and H E Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, the UAE’s minister of community development. Meanwhile, myriad high-calibre event partners will also be present. Among these is TAQA, which is part of ADQ, a holding company with a broad portfolio of major enterprises, spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. TAQA is a top 10 integrated utilities champion in the EMEA region with power and water and oil and gas operations in 11 countries around the world. A publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in 2005, it is a diversified company with operations in the UAE as well as Canada, Ghana, India, Iraq, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The 2022 event will feature a digital matchmaking programme, Sustainability Business Connect, which will bring together buyers, exhibitors and visitors to arrange in-person and virtual meetings, receive product and company recommendations, and manage their event itinerary to enhance the business experience.
Meanwhile, the Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) will connect start-ups with investors, showcasing cutting-edge and never-seen-before technologies that could transform the global fight against climate change as well as provide new sustainability solutions. Sustainability in space, food and agriculture, and environmental protection are among the 2022 themes for CLIX. In the previous edition, out of 1,400 applicants, 600 start-ups from 128 countries were shortlisted.
The Energy Expo and Forum provides a meeting point for governments, energy companies, utilities and innovators to drive the conversation on global renewable energy development and innovation. Previous key exhibitors have included Shanghai Electric, BP and Engie. Complementary to this is the Solar and Clean Energy Forum. Topics covered in 2022 will include the future of green hydrogen, planning for energy transition within the new economic environment, and commercial and industrial solar.
Decarbonisation of water production, new consumption trends, the impact of localisation and self-efficiency, and water conservation programmes are among the talking points for next year’s Water Forum. As well as establishing the ground for forming business partnerships, this event will foster dialogue between the private and public sectors on innovative solutions. Previous exhibitors at the Water Expo have included the Emirates Water Electricity Co, BMC Gulf and Abu Dhabi Department of Energy.
Running alongside the World Future Energy Summit is the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum. The event will drive collaboration and innovation on the circular economy in MENA, as well as cover sustainable approaches within the waste and recycling industries. The EcoWASTE Forum will focus on how landfill waste can be minimised, municipality strategies and plans, and regulations, among other areas. Exhibitors at the 2020 EcoWaste Expo included the International Solid Waste Association, CAP Environmental Solutions and Scania.
At the Smart Cities Forum and Expo, industry leaders will explore how technology and sustainability intersect in future urban environments, tackling issues such as 5G and connected smart cities, the Internet of Things, smart mobility, and cyber safety. It will also explore topics related to the creation and liveability of such cities, such as master planning and architectural design. Meanwhile, Tesla, Virgin Hyperloop and BMW Abu Dhabi Motors number among previous exhibitors.
How governments and companies can meet their ESG targets will be a central focus of the inaugural Climate and Environment Expo and Forum. Thought leaders, policymakers and innovators will be brought together for thought-provoking sessions all aimed at showcasing the latest advances and insights on building resilience against climate change. These topics will range from decarbonising heavy industry and carbon capture, use and storage to ecosystem conservation and tackling air pollution.
Both visitors and exhibitors can attend the event in-person – making the most of the networking opportunities on-site – or digitally, if unable to be physically present. However, to meet best practice and establish the highest degree of health and safety possible, the World Future Energy Summit is following the five-point plan outlined in Reed Exhibitions’ global framework, which was developed in close collaboration with the National Centre for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. This is in addition to adopting guidelines and direction from local health authorities from Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
This comes at a time when decisive action on sustainable energy is becoming critical. As tackling climate change is deeply intertwined with the future of energy, these topics have never been more vital. From attending insightful discussions with industry experts to networking with international exhibitors and attendees, this event is a combination of investment incubator, technology showcase and business forum. This is an unmistakeable and unique opportunity for attendees to be at the forefront of technologies that have the potential to change the world.
