Inspiring Interviews

The Climate Tech Gold Rush Is Here. But Will It Save the Planet or Just Enrich It?

Around the world, a new kind of gold rush is taking shape. It does not glitter, and you cannot hold it in your hand. But governments, billionaires, and startups are betting that a wave of climate technologies such as carbon capture plants, next generation reactors, and lab grown meat will define the next economy and perhaps the planet’s survival. It is an alluring vision: innovation as salvation. Yet the science tells a far more complicated story. Venture money is flowing at historic levels, and global climate summits are pushing technology driven solutions to the center of environmental strategy. But behind the glossy renderings and bold promises lies a stubborn reality. Many of the tools promoted as climate breakthroughs are still struggling to make an impact beyond laboratory walls. Consider carbon capture, a central element in many national decarbonization plans. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2030 the world will need roughly 1 billion tons of CO₂ captured annually to stay aligned with 2050 climate goals. Current planned projects amount to less than half of that. Scientific analyses warn that cost, storage limitations, and a lack of regulatory frameworks continue to limit progress and that governments would need to provide much stronger incentives and infrastructure before meaningful scale can be achieved. The potential is understood. What is missing is a realistic path to deploy it widely. Lab grown food, often promoted as the sustainable future of global diets, faces its own scientific scrutiny. Life cycle assessments show that early production methods can emit between 4 and 25 times more greenhouse gases than conventional beef. This is largely due to energy intensive growth media. Other reviews point out that cultured meat only becomes climate friendly if powered by renewable electricity and produced using low impact inputs. These conditions are not yet present at commercial scale. The technology is impressive, but the emissions math remains uncertain. A deeper question also hangs over the climate tech boom. Many of the most celebrated innovations are emerging in wealthier regions, funded by billionaire investors, and marketed to high income consumers. Communities that are already experiencing the harshest climate impacts often have little access to the new solutions that claim to protect them. Without policy coordination and intentional distribution, climate technology risks reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them. Even so, the promise is genuine. Climate innovation has the potential to reshape entire industries, accelerate decarbonization, and spark new economic growth. But scientific evidence makes one point clear. Progress will not come from technology or investment alone. It requires transparent measurement, strong public policy, and a commitment to ensure that benefits extend far beyond elite markets. The gold rush is real. The stakes are global. The next chapter will reveal whether this surge in innovation leads to a healthier planet or simply a wealthier few.

The Woman Turning Kuwait’s Water Crisis into an Innovation Opportunity

In one of the world’s driest nations, engineer and sustainability leader Hebah Abbas is proving that innovation is Kuwait’s most powerful natural resource. From smart utilities to international diplomacy, her 2025 agenda is positioning Kuwait as a rising force in water resilience and sustainable development. A New Wave of Innovation Kuwait has long relied on desalination to survive the desert. But that system is under strain, and the country is pushing for bold change. Few voices are shaping that shift more than Hebah Abbas, Chief Specialist Electrical Engineer at the Ministry of Education. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, water security, and educational development - a combination that gives her a uniquely holistic view of Kuwait’s sustainability challenges. “The question isn’t how much water we have,” says Hebah Abbas. “It’s how intelligently we manage it.” In 2025, her influence spans engineering projects, policy platforms, and international stages. Turning Wastewater Into Value One of Hebah Abbas’s most impactful efforts this year is the expansion of wastewater recycling programs across institutional and industrial zones. Instead of treating wastewater as disposable, Kuwait is now reclaiming it for irrigation, cooling, and non-potable industrial use. The movement began as a series of pilots, and in 2025 it is scaling beyond expectations. “Every liter we reuse strengthens our resilience,” she explains. Backed by her sustainability leadership at the Kuwait Water Association, this shift is redefining how Kuwait balances environmental pressure with technological ambition. Smart Systems for a Smarter Nation As an electrical engineer by profession, Hebah Abbas sees infrastructure through a digital lens. Her work across the education sector includes the rollout of IoT-based smart meters, leak detection systems, and data-driven water management tools in public institutions. These systems are part of a national push to transform Kuwait from reactive water management to predictive, real-time decision-making. Hebah Abbas utility leadership extends far beyond Kuwait’s borders: while being a member of the World Utilities Congress Technical and Executive Committees since 2024, continuing through 2025. She is part of the Executive and Technical Committees for the 2026 Congress, shaping the future of global utility collaboration.

Harnessing Technology for a Smarter Economy

Powering Oman’s Digital Horizon with Vision, Agility, and Purpose In the shifting sands of the Gulf, where nations are reinventing themselves at breakneck speed, one leader has made transformation his craft. Bara Sami, the Group General Manager of Mekdam Holding Group, has spent years orchestrating Qatar’s evolution into a hub of innovation and operational excellence. Now, with Oman’s Vision 2040 on the horizon, Sami is channeling that hard-earned experience toward shaping the Sultanate’s next great leap, one defined by technology, talent, and sustainable value creation. From Doha’s Fast Lane to Oman’s Emerging Frontier During his tenure at Mekdam Holding Group, Sami led the company through an era of unprecedented growth, expanding its portfolio tenfold and forging partnerships with some of the world’s most prominent technology players. In the process, he built not just an organization, but a culture rooted in agility, innovation, and accountability. “Qatar’s market taught me that transformation demands speed, discipline, and vision,” he reflects. “It’s not enough to react to change, you have to anticipate it.” That lesson, he believes, is perfectly timed for Oman. “Oman stands on the cusp of extraordinary potential,” he continues. “Its vision for diversification and digitalization echoes many of the milestones we achieved in Qatar, but with the advantage of fresh perspective and emerging opportunity.” Harnessing Technology for a Smarter Economy Sami’s career has been built on a belief that technology is the true infrastructure of progress. His leadership in digital transformation spans artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, all of which he sees as the engines of Oman’s Vision 2040. “Digital transformation isn’t a trend, it’s a mindset,” he says. “When you combine data with human intelligence, you unlock value that lasts far beyond quarterly results.” He envisions a future where Oman’s industries run on smart systems powered by local talent and global collaboration. His strategy aligns perfectly with the nation’s goals of in-country value creation, operational efficiency, and a workforce skilled for the future. A Blueprint for Competitive Edge Sami’s formula for sustainable growth is both pragmatic and proven. In Qatar, he built advantage by blending international alliances with local empowerment, ensuring every project became a platform for knowledge transfer and skill development. Now, he’s ready to bring that same model to Oman. Among his key strategies: Strategic alliances with global technology leaders to localize innovation Investment in Omani talent to nurture technical excellence and leadership Agile management frameworks that keep organizations adaptive and resilient Client-focused solutions tailored to Oman’s business landscape “These strategies are about more than market share,” Sami explains. “They’re about creating ecosystems of value where local capabilities grow, partnerships thrive, and industries evolve sustainably.” A Vision Beyond Business Looking ahead, Sami sees his mission extending far beyond boardrooms and KPIs. His ambition is to position Mekdam Holding Group as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable progress in Oman, a company that contributes meaningfully to the nation’s growth story. “I want our impact to be measured by people, the local engineers who grow into leaders, the clients whose businesses transform, the industries that become more competitive globally,” he says. “That’s the legacy I aim to build.” Shaping the Next Chapter of the Gulf’s Growth Story In many ways, Bara Sami represents a new generation of Gulf business leadership, global in mindset, grounded in local values, and driven by the belief that technology and talent are the twin engines of the future.