In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation Podcast, we are joined by Harshit Agrawal, a Senior Gas Specialist at the World Bank. In the role Mr Agrawal manages the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership’s technical program, which includes assisting governments with their gas flaring monetisation efforts, developing country-specific flaring reduction programs, managing and monitoring global gas flaring satellite data, and assessing viable technologies and technical solutions.

In this podcast, the following questions are explored:
What are the factors shaping the global energy landscape?
How can exporters in developed countries help developing countries use natural gas more efficiently and sustainably? 
How will renewable energy feature in the race to net zero

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation Podcast, we are joined by Julian Pouget, President Middle-East & North Africa, Exploration & Production for TotalEnergies. Prior to this, Mr Pouget held the position of Senior Vice President Asia Pacific for Exploration & Production and Renewables, where he oversaw the oil and gas assets of the company as well as the development of renewables in the region.

In this podcast, the following questions are explored:

What are they key facets of TotalEnergies' Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Iraq? 
Is TotalEnergies now primarily focused on responsible production and renewable energy?
Could TotalEnergies' Marsa LNG in Oman project serve as a blueprint for similar projects around the world?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation Podcast, we are joined by Michael Wood, EY MENA Consulting Services Partner - Sustainability. 

Mr Wood has over 18 years of experience in sustainability and climate-related disciplines. His expertise spans various areas, including decarbonisation, climate resilience, energy, natural capital, and financial services. He has worked extensively across sectors such as energy and resources, industrials, infrastructure, and finance. 

In this podcast, the following questions are explored:
• How are GCC states advancing sustainability? 
• What innovations in building design, cooling systems, and smart cities are most relevant for the GCC?
• What strategies are being adopted to address water scarcity in the GCC?

Ask

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, Director of Research at the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) and an affiliated Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University.

Dr. Al-Ubaydli is a specialist in political economy, behavioural economics, the economics of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the economics of science.

In this podcast, the following questions are explored:
• What is the function of the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)?
• How economically integrated are the individual countries of the Middle East?
• How is the Middle East recalibrating its energy diplomacy with shifting global alliances?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation Podcast, we are joined by Roberta Boscolo, Climate and Energy Lead at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Dr. Boscolo has over twenty years of experience in climate services, focusing on the Water-Energy-Food nexus in regions including Africa, South America, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia. She develops weather, water, and climate services to support energy resilience and renewable energy. Her role includes membership on the scientific advisory board for several European Commission projects.

In this podcast, the following questions are explored:

How does the rise in sea levels represent an existential threat? 
How do shifting geopolitical attitudes influence efforts to mitigate climate change?
How has the WMO supported food security resilience in the MENA region

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast, we are joined by Francesca Milani, Commercial Sustainability Manager at ClimatePartner. 

Founded in 2006 in Germany, ClimatePartner has established itself as a key player in the field of climate action, offering comprehensive solutions for businesses aiming to embrace sustainability. With more than 500 employees operating in several countries, ClimatePartner delivers solutions for carbon accounting, carbon reduction and broader climate projects. 

In this podcast, the following questions are answered:

What is the meaning of “climate action through corporate strategy”?
Why is it critical for companies to proactively engage in climate action? 
What are the principal structural changes that companies should consider when designing and implementing a climate strategy?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast, we are joined by Michele De Capitani. Mr De Capitani is a partner at Una Terra Early Growth Fund. Before joining the firm in 2024, he was CFO and sustainability officer at SACE (Italian Export Credit Agency). 

Since 2021, Una Terra Early Growth Fund, a Swiss-based early-growth fund with assets of $200 million, has been investing in market-ready circular economy solutions that generate tangible, measurable climate impacts while simultaneously delivering financial returns.

In this podcast, the following questions are answered:

What role can sustainable finance play in addressing funding challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa?

How are corporate entities approaching sustainability in their business strategy?

What are your expectations for COP30?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast, we are joined by Alexandra Soezer. Ms Soezer is the Director of the Climate Action Centre of Excellence (CACE) in Doha, Qatar. In the role, she focuses on advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement through international cooperation and innovative carbon market mechanisms. Previously, she worked at the United Nations Development Program’s for 15 years as an expert in climate change mitigation and carbon finance. 

In this podcast, the following questions are answered:
• What inspired you to specialise in climate change mitigation?
• What is the Paris Agreement, and what is the significance of Article 6? 
• Will the current geopolitical uncertainty have a negative impact on the advancement of global green policies?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast, we are joined by Michael Finch. Mr Finch is Head of Strategic Initiatives at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence,a Price Reporting Agency (PRA) and market intelligence provider, specialising in the critical minerals supply chains central to lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles (EVs)

In this podcast the following questions are answered:
• Is the MENA region rich in minerals?
• Why are countries in the Middle East and North Africa pivoting to critical minerals? 
• Is there a significant demand for EVs in the MENA region?

In this episode of the Al-Attiyah Foundation podcast, we are joined by renewable energy luminary Frank Wouters. Mr Wouters is renowned for spearheading initiatives, from small-scale PV solar electrification in Uganda to strategic investments in groundbreaking projects like the London Array and Shams Concentrated Solar Plant. A green hydrogen evangelist, he has earned accolades as the runner-up 'Hydrogen Economist of the Year' in 2020

In this podcast the following questions are answered:

What is the fundamental process of methane pyrolysis?
What are the differences between thermal pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis, plasma pyrolysis, and molten media pyrolysis?
What is the energy balance of gas pyrolysis compared to other low-carbon hydrogen production routes such as electrolysis or biomass gasification?