Schedule

Registration & Networking

Delegate registration and networking
Doors open for registration, snacks and networking outside the main hall.

Introduction

MC event introduction and welcome
Welcome to the 2026 Energy & Sustainability Summit, event mechanics and what’s lined up for the day.

Jason Saundalkar

Welcome Speech – Jason Saundalkar, Editorial Director – Built Environment & Heavy Industry Divisions, CPI Trade Media
CPI Trade Media’s Jason Saundalkar welcomes speakers and delegates to the summit and discusses the event’s key themes and focuses.

Jason Saundalkar, Editorial Director

Keynote Address

TBC

Content to be announced soon.

First panel discussion

The Time is Now for Regenerative Developments

Major markets in the Middle East are pursuing significant development in support of their respective national agendas and economic diversification goals. While sustainability is broadly being prioritised, the focus on regenerative developments – which aims to actively heal and improve surrounding ecosystems – has yet to be fully embraced by stakeholders across the segment. This is an omission that should be addressed for a multitude of reasons. This panel discussion will discuss:

• The state of regenerative developments in the Middle East/GCC region and why the region should pivot to this holistic approach of building assets and infrastructure
• The value that regenerative developments can create in communities and ecosystems, and the positive impact it can have beyond environmental benefits
• Regenerative architecture and new designs that can actively improve the environment through the use of smart materials and technology, clean energy systems and more
• Examples of successful regenerative developments in the region and best practices/learnings the rest of the region can take from them
• The challenges that regenerative developments face in the region, and strategies on how they can be overcome
• When assets are at the end of their useful life and must be decommissioned, it’s vital that the site be restored to its original state or – better yet – be improved. How can this be done?

Moderator to be announced

Speakers to be announced

Presentation One

TBC
Content to be announced soon.

Networking

Coffee break

Break for coffee and networking.

Sponsor Breakout Session

TBC

20 minute breakout session/workshop.

Second panel discussion

The Environmental Cost of AI

The construction industry is embracing technology, and tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) have recently grown in popularity across the supply chain, as well as the entire lifecycle of an asset, be it a structure or an infrastructure project. The use of AI, however, comes with significant environmental tolls as well as other issues that must be taken into account. This panel discussion will explore:

• The energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with AI models that are powered by resource intensive data centres, many of which still rely on fossil fuel power sources thus leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions
• Data centre electricity demand is projected to increase by 160% by 2030 – can we pivot to clean energy sources to address current and future requirements for these energy intensive assets?
• Google’s water consumption for data centre cooling was 6 billion gallons in 2024, while other data centre operators reported similarly demanding water requirements. How can this immense thirst be addressed in water stressed regions that are building data centers?
• Considering the significant resource usage associated with the use of AI, should players in the construction supply chain impose caps or limits on its usage?
• How can construction companies and asset owners truly achieve Net Zero/sustainability goals whilst leveraging resource intensive technologies such as AI to design/deliver/operate assets?
• New research shows that an over-reliance on AI can lead to cognitive atrophy, reduced critical thinking skills and limited problem-solving skills. What best practices should industry players implement to prevent cognitive and skill decline in their people?
• Hyperscale data centres are creating heat islands, warming the land around them by a noticeable degree. How can this challenge be addressed in cities that are building data centres within city limits?

Moderator to be announced

Speakers to be announced

Presentation Two

TBC
Content to be announced soon.

Networking

Lunch
One hour break for buffet lunch and networking.

Sponsor Breakout Session

TBC
20 minute breakout session/workshop

Third panel discussion

Staying the Sustainable Course

Recent geopolitical issues in the Middle East and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have had a dramatic impact on global trade, and the construction sector across the GCC. The latter relies heavily on the imports of materials from Asia and Europe, which means that developers, construction companies and suppliers could face a number of major issues in the short- and long-term. This panel discussion will explore:

• What prolonged closure and disruption means for the construction supply chain and sustainability goals in the short- and long-term?
• Increased pressure in some countries to reprioritise development and build alternative infrastructure at an accelerated pace to ensure future energy and material security is not dependent on the Strait of Hormuz
• The impact the disruption is having on green transitions, the energy mix, and the local manufacturing of green materials and systems necessary for green buildings and infrastructure
• The opportunity to pivot more heavily into locally available materials and other resources to ensure construction projects don’t stall
• How construction companies can effectively address cost escalation, project delays and contractual risks without compromising on company and project sustainability goals

Moderator to be announced

Speakers to be announced

Presentation Three

TBC
Content to be announced soon.

Event Wrap-up

MC closing remarks
Thank you for attending the 2026 Energy & Sustainability Summit.