Sustainability and ESG International Summit 2026

The cement industry is at a pivotal point—facing increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability. This presentation explores transformative approaches to achieving sustainability in cement production by leveraging digital innovation, circular economy models, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Dr. Mohammed Fouad shares real-world insights from large-scale implementations, including carbon footprint reduction, zero-waste initiatives, and the integration of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Participants will gain practical strategies for overcoming challenges, optimizing production, and aligning with national and international sustainability targets, setting a roadmap for a greener and more competitive cement industry.

In an era where trust and transparency define business resilience, stakeholder engagement emerges as a strategic pathway to long-term sustainability. This session will explore key principles, tools, and frameworks for stakeholder mapping and collaboration, with a focus on turning feedback into actionable insights that generate shared value. Drawing from real-world examples, including the Dialogue Ambassadors initiative—an award-winning strategy to build social license to operate—participants will learn how effective stakeholder practices can mitigate risks, strengthen community relationships, and drive business performance in large-scale industrial environments.

This presentation explores the cement industry's impact on carbon emissions and explores strategies for reducing its carbon footprint & the critical need for decarbonizing the cement industry, a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. It begins with an overview of the cement production process and its environmental impact, highlighting the significant carbon dioxide emissions from clinker production and fossil fuel combustion. The presentation introduces the concept of decarbonization and outlines the "5C Approach" to reducing CO2 emissions across the cement and concrete value chain. Key strategies include the use of alternative fuels, raw materials, and innovative technologies. The challenges of decarbonization, such as process emissions” that come from the process of producing clinker, localized markets, Limited access to alternative fuels and raw materials, coupled with poor supply chains. The presentation emphasizes the lack of incentives further hinder progress toward sustainable practices. and investment in sustainable practices to achieve a low-carbon future for the cement industry.

The session would cover the sustainable finance mechanisms that are coming up to address decarbonisation in HTA sectors like cement, how these finance mechanisms are being structured, examples from the industry, potential challenges and ways to counter these challenges.

The cement industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions due to its energy-intensive processes. As a result, both governments and the private sector are increasingly focused on implementing sustainable practices to reduce the industry's environmental footprint.

Driven by both regulatory pressures and a growing market for environmentally friendly products, the cement industry is gradually shifting towards more sustainable practices. Although significant challenges remain, particularly in decarbonizing the energy-intensive clinker production process, ongoing innovations, alternative materials, and circular economy approaches provide promising pathways to a sustainable cement industry.

By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, embracing technological innovation, and investing in green infrastructure, the cement industry can achieve its long-term sustainability goals.

Ultimately, sustainability is a win-win strategy that aligns business success with environmental responsibility and social equity, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for both the organization and the planet.

The presentation introduces the core concept of the net zero strategy, emphasizing its potential to improve financial, social, and environmental outcomes. The importance of incorporating the net zero green strategy (NZGS)S into planning and directing organizations, communities, and countries towards common green goals is emphasized. The net zero concept is applicable to various areas, including waste, energy, water, carbon emissions, and pollution, across sectors such as buildings, communities, and industries.

The presentation further discusses the concept of neutral carbon strategy, emphasizing the urgent need to neutralize or reduce carbon emissions. The utilization of greenfield sites and investment in environmentally friendly technologies, such as biofuels and renewable energy production, are proposed as key components of neutral carbon strategies.

The presentation underscores the significance of net zero emission strategies or decarbonization in contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the potential to control the GHGs. It emphasizes the necessity to move beyond solely focusing on carbon sequestration and instead effectively harness greenhouse gases (GHGs). Utilizing and mitigating climate change are regarded as catalysts for expediting progress towards the SDGs. By embracing utilization as a pollution solution, stakeholders can cultivate a sustainable and resilient global economy while combatting climate change.

The primary objective of the presentation is to present a holistic approach that aligns with the net zero concept, providing solutions to mitigate climate change while simultaneously generating economic opportunities.

Decarbonization, Resilience, and Value Creation: A Corporate Roadmap for Climate Leadership

As climate change accelerates, corporates can no longer afford to view decarbonization and resilience as compliance checkboxes—they must be embedded as core business drivers for competitiveness, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Climate-conscious corporations are not only mitigating risks but also unlocking new revenue streams, securing investment, and strengthening market positioning in a rapidly evolving regulatory and financial landscape.

This session will present a practical and impact-driven roadmap for corporates to integrate climate mitigation and adaptation into their strategic decision-making, financial planning, and operational frameworks. Key focus areas include:

Beyond Carbon Reduction: Transforming decarbonization from a regulatory obligation into a profitability driver through innovative technologies, optimized energy efficiency, and market-based carbon strategies.

Renewable Energy Integration & Energy Transition: Moving from ad-hoc renewable projects to a structured energy roadmap, leveraging PPAs, hybrid models, and storage solutions for cost-competitive energy resilience.

Climate Risk & Resilience Strategies: Developing data-driven adaptation measures that protect assets, supply chains, and operations against climate-induced disruptions while ensuring long-term value creation.

Sustainability-Linked Finance & Investment: Accessing global funding mechanisms, including green bonds, blended finance, and carbon credit monetization, to de-risk and accelerate sustainability initiatives.

Digital-Driven Climate Decision-Making: Deploying advanced data analytics, scenario modeling, and predictive intelligence to optimize sustainability performance and align with ESG reporting and CBAM compliance.

Through real-world corporate case studies, this presentation will showcase how leading organizations are turning climate challenges into strategic growth opportunities. The session will conclude with a scalable, action-oriented framework for executives to drive corporate climate leadership, ensuring resilience, regulatory alignment, and long-term profitability in the Net Zero economy.

Climate action is not a cost—it's an investment in future competitiveness. Are you ready to lead?

Across the Middle East, a new generation of cities is emerging—planned from the ground up to be both
technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable. Giga-projects such as NEOM, The Line,
Lusail, and Masdar City exemplify a regional shift toward integrating smart city innovation with
sustainable urban design. These developments are redefining urbanism in arid environments, where
resource efficiency, climate resilience, and economic diversification are critical. It highlights the role of
digital technologies—such as AI, IoT, and advanced data platforms—in enabling low-carbon
infrastructure, intelligent mobility systems, and circular resource flows. By analysing the strategies and
challenges unique to the Middle Eastern context, insights will be discussed into how smart cities can
evolve beyond efficiency to become models of long-term environmental stewardship and holistic urban
transformation.

After a series of false starts and a slow progress, international carbon pricing is ramping up. According to the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) as of 2025, 38 Emission Trading Systems (ETSs) are in operation, with another 20 systems under development or consideration. Collectively, these ETS markets would cover 19% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, Egypt achieved a significant milestone by launching Africa’s first regulated carbon exchange for credit trading. There has been some early momentum, but the carbon credit market itself has continued to struggle internationally. In this session, we will look at the different types of carbon markets, with a particular focus on the EU ETS, which is the oldest and most successful carbon mitigation scheme so far.

Cement production contributes about 8% of global CO2 emissions, making its decarbonization critical for climate goals. This presentation compares two promising technologies: oxy-fuel combustion and hydrogen injection. Both aim to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in clinker production, but differ in operation, advantages, and challenges.

We explore their operational aspects, energy demands, carbon reduction potential, and technical considerations to guide engineering decisions for sustainable cement manufacturing.