Dr. Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi

Honorary Chairman

Energy Institute – Middle East

With a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering from the UK Waddah is considered one of the authorities on Environment/Sustainability, Health and Safety as well as Governance and Leadership and High Reliability Organizations (HROs). He is a chartered Director with the IoD in the UK with 27 years of experience, 14 of which have been as a board director in several organizations.

Waddah holds several academic and vocational qualifications including two PG Diplomas an MSc in Environmental Sciences, an Executive MBA and a Doctorate from the University of Bradford in Governance and Leadership. He has received several awards in his career, most notably, the Rashid Prize for Scholarship Excellence in 2007 (Dubai), and the IEMA Sustainability Leader of the Year (UK) in 2019. He is a visiting lecturer/professor for several universities based in the UAE, India and Malaysia.

He is the Hon. Charmain for the Energy Institute Middle East and served as a Council member in the Energy Institute’s Board (2019-2022). He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and served as a vice chairman at the Dubai Centre for Carbon Excellence (DCCE) from 2010-2019. He is currently appointed as a Senior Director for Logistics and Marine Assurance and served in the past as Senior Director for Sustainability, Operational and Business Excellence and Executive Director EHS & Corporate Affairs for the ENOC Group in Dubai, UAE.

He is an advisor of several Industry Advisory Committees at universities. He represents the UAE in the International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Committee 283 and is Chairman of the UAE National Committee for Occupational Health and Safety and Chairman of the UAE Chapter Advisory Committee of the BDI-GCC.

Waddah’s work on Human Factors culminated in several conferences, training programs and also his international book published by Elsevier in 2020 Process Safety Management and Human Factors – An experiential Approach. Working closely with leaders, Waddah brings practical leadership ideas, yet with a deep understanding from many years of being an HSE Director in the Energy Sector. His work with boards and his expertise as a global authority on Governance and Leadership in HSE and High Reliability Organizations is appreciated around the world.

His publications include various research, practitioner journal and conference papers in including published books. He has many technical/academic and conference papers that have been published in the past 20+ years as well. He has three articles published with the Harvard Business Review Arabia on the Connected Leadership Framework, the Role of the Boards of Directors as well as Cultural Competence.

Has authored/published and co-authored eleven internationally published books in addition to many practitioner-based technical conference articles and presentations. He supports, mentors, and consults several individuals and organisations.

Session Overview

Monday, 4 November

14:00

Decarbonisation Conference Decarbonisation Theatre 14:00 - 14:45

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Partnering with the Global South to advance global decarbonisation

Despite the relatively low contributions to global GHG emissions by most countries in the Global South, these countries are often the most vulnerable to rising sea levels, floods and extreme temperatures. Additionally, these countries face additional challenges including limited access to financial resources, lack of infrastructure and heavy dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture. To accelerate an equitable energy transition across the Global South, collaboration with the Global North will be needed across finance and investment, digital integration, technology development and innovation, and capacity-building while also enabling sustainable energy sources and reduced carbon emissions. Global energy's future hinges on collaboration. Governments, businesses, and civil society must unite to dismantle obstacles. Their joint efforts can propel an equitable shift for developing nations while fostering worldwide sustainability and decarbonisation.

Attendee insights:

This session will focus on crucial strategies and actions to reduce carbon emissions, combat climate change and ensure an accelerated energy transition across the Global South.