Future Energy Talks

In this special episode for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025, Lauren Woodman, CEO of DataKind, discusses the potential of AI and data science to address some of the most pressing challenges of the past 50 years while unlocking new opportunities for socio-economic growth. At ADSW 2025, AI takes center stage, with talks exploring its transformative potential to fast-track the transition to sustainable growth.

“There is a healthy amount of skepticism and concern about some of the ethics and equity issues that AI raises, but I do think there is a real hope that technology and specifically AI can help us tackle some of these problems,” says Woodman.

Produced by Reuters Plus for Masdar

Introduction (0:17 – 2:46)

Emerging technologies (2:47 – 3:48)

The energy transition (3:49 – 5:02)

Challenges and potentialities (5:03 – 6:55)

The issue of energy demand (6:56 – 8:36)

Regulatory concerns (08:37 – 11:02)

Equity and corporate responsibility (11:03 – 15:55)

Modernizing energy structures (15:56 – 18:08)

Looking ahead (18:09 – 20:54)

Conclusion (20:55 – 21:25)

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Dr. Nina Skorupska, Member of the Supervisory Board at Royal BAM Group, tells Reuters Plus about the challenges and opportunities in achieving a successful energy transition, with a focus on renewable energy growth and the future of global energy systems ahead of COP29.

“COP29 is pivotal in convincing the world that our leaders, along with the investor and finance community, are serious about their commitments. As we approach COP29 in Baku, with a focus on financial confidence, how do we ensure accountability for the promises made? It’s crucial we have mechanisms in place to monitor and uphold these commitments,” says Dr. Skorupska.

Produced for Masdar by Reuters Plus

Introduction (0:17 - 2:04)

The energy transition: Progress and challenges (2:05 - 4:34)

Navigating decarbonization (4:35 - 7:39)

The power of consumer choice (7:40 - 10:22)

Leading by example (10:23 - 14:30)

COP28: Reflection (14:31-15:32)

How finance drives change (15:33 - 17:36)

COP29: Expectations (17:52 - 19:03)

Conclusion (19:04 - 19:16)

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Mohamed Al Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO at Masdar, tells Reuters Plus about Masdar's pivotal role as a global leader in promoting innovation in clean energy and the company's ongoing commitment to accelerate renewable practices in the Global North and Global South.

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Reuters Plus talks to David Pong, CEO and co-founder of Wateroam, an NGO at the forefront of the provision of fresh water to flood hit areas and rural communities.

"What we see is an issue not just of a lack of safe drinking water, but an entire life full of potential that is not being able to be met with full ability to achieve their dreams and potential," says Pong.

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Dr. Pratima Rangarajan, CEO at Climate Investment, tells Reuters Plus how carbon markets are a key way of getting capital into solutions that might otherwise not be profitable or economically viable.

"We need to move these countries forward with young leadership because it is their world, and they are ready for it," says Dr. Rangarajan.

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Hydrogen is widely expected to play a huge part in a low-carbon future. Reuters Plus talks with Matthew Knight, Head of Market and Government Affairs at Siemens Energy UK, to explore the challenges of affordability, scalability, and safety in making hydrogen the clean energy of tomorrow. 

"As the industry grows, as the costs come down – which they surely will just as they did with batteries and wind turbines – it will open up new use cases and more customers will be able to afford hydrogen," says Knight.

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Reuters Plus talks with Val Miftakhov, the founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, who brings first-hand experience in developing leading edge technologies in the renewables space.

"It's not just about climate effects, it's also about ground pollution effects, noise or otherwise. And we're going to solve all those things. The technology is getting there. And the future looks bright for aviation", says Miftakhov.

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Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, takes Reuters Plus through the collaborations and frameworks necessary to make a sustainable future a reality.

"A just transition is happening. We will be able to reduce the inequalities in the world, having in the future both a new energy system and a world that is less unequal than today," says La Camera.

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Belinda Howell, Non-Executive Director at Digital Catapult, walks Reuters Plus through the potential that AI has to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.

"The digital industry and governments must put their heads together and develop regulations, standards, guidelines, that are forward-thinking, but also precautionary in nature," says Howell.

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Reuters Plus talks with Jamie McCloskey, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at SolarAid about inclusivity in the energy transition, developing communities and decarbonization, and the human face of climate change.

"As great as it is to kick off a market, even for the most affordable product, a $5 solar light, there are millions of families who can't afford it," says McCloskey.

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