Workshop Methodology: Participants gather around a table in teams of 5 to 7 people per table. They discover the cards representing
the different components of climate change and work together to connect them in order to highlight the links between cause and
effect.
A Fresker (facilitator) supervises one or more teams and guides them using a collective intelligence approach. The Fresker then
facilitates an exchange to debrief and explore individual and collective solutions and broaden reflection beyond climate issues. The
following presents the main workshop phases:
Aisha Al Balushi
Climate Fresker
Corona Fontana Arnaldi
Climate Fresker
Samira Al Balushi
Climate Fresker
Maryam Al lawatiya
Climate Fresker
Abdullah Al Siyabi
Climate Fresker
Joly Lyautey De Colombe
Climate Fresker
Suzanne van den Briel
Climate Fresker
Aida Othman
Climate Fresker
Khadija Alkhayari
Climate Fresker
Aziza Al Balushi
Climate Fresker
Marwa Hamed Almahruqi
Oman Vision follow up office manager
Alexandre Killon
Managing Director
Yale Centre for Biodiversity and Global change
Zach Wendling
Research Director
Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy US
Join Dr. Ir. Ruben Smit, renowned ecologist and filmmaker, as he takes us on a
visual journey through the impact of climate change on our natural
ecosystems. Discover the power of storytelling in raising awareness and
driving action for a sustainable future.
Dr. Ir. Ruben (Ruben) Smit
Photographer, Ecologist &
filmmaker
Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a powerful approach to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss by leveraging natural ecosystems. This masterclass will explore how coastal and marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves and artificial reefs, can act as carbon sinks, enhance biodiversity and protect shorelines from climate impacts. Through real-world case studies, we will examine Earthna’s and Qatar based key initiatives, including the rig-to-reef approach, artificial reef deployment for marine biodiversity enhancement, and mangrove restoration for carbon sequestration, regenerative tourism and coastal resilience. Participants will gain insights into the science behind these solutions, best practices for implementation and the policy and financial mechanisms driving their success.
This session will provide actionable knowledge for policymakers, conservationists and industry stakeholders on integrating NbS into climate strategies, with a focus on scalability, governance and stakeholders engagement.
Join us for a dynamic discussion on how nature can be a key ally in addressing the twin global crises: climate change and biodiversity loss.
Dr. Radhouane Ben Hamadou
Director, Research and Policy Development Earthna
The Transnational Red Sea Center (TRSC), hosted at the Ecole Polytechnique Federal of Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland), aims at supporting science-based conservation of Red Sea coral reefs at a regional level, through a Science for Diplomacy and Diplomacy for Science approach. In collaboration with regional stakeholders, the TRSC conducts research on the exceptional resilience of local reefs in the face of environmental changes, develops innovative monitoring technologies, and facilitates their transfer to local collaborators to enhance standardized, scalable monitoring efforts across the region.
This masterclass will introduce the TRSC’s objectives and ongoing projects, focusing on the use of AI and DeepLearning to revolutionize coral reef benthic cover assessment. Successful collaborations in Jordan, Djibouti, and Eritrea will be highlighted, illustrating the impact of advanced technologies in improving long-term monitoring efforts across the region.
Dr. Guilhem Banc-Prandi
Scientific Director
Transnational Red Sea Center
This Masterclass delves into the essential concepts of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), offering a comprehensive overview of their purpose, key stakeholders (including I-TRACK, Evident, and Issuers), and how they can be leveraged for Scope 2 emissions accounting. Participants will gain insights into the regulatory landscape, including discussions on policy initiatives like CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) and RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin). The session will emphasize practical use cases and real-world case studies, demonstrating how I-RECs are shaping the future of sustainability and corporate emissions reporting.
Michael Tsang
Founder and Principal Consultant
Travis Caddy
Business Development Director
Oleg Dobrovolsky
Regional Director
As global markets increasingly prioritize sustainability, understanding and utilizing sustainable
finance mechanisms are crucial for businesses aiming to decarbonize and enhance resilience. The
International Finance Corporation (IFC) invites industry professionals to a comprehensive
workshop designed to elucidate the applications of green, blue, sustainable, and transition finance
in achieving decarbonization objectives across various sectors. Participants will gain insights into
pertinent technologies and programs, including battery storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and
nature-based solutions (NBS).
The workshop will also introduce three key IFC tools tailored to improve the resilience, efficiency,
and emissions profile of the built environment:
EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies): A certification system promoting resource
efficient building design.
Building Resilience Index (BRI): A tool aiding in the assessment and enhancement of building
resilience against climate-related risks.
APEX: A platform facilitating the evaluation and optimization of building performance metrics.
Diep Nguyen -van Houtte
Senior Manager, Climate Business
International Finance Corporation
Michelle M. Farrell
Senior Operations Officer, Climate
Business Department
International Finance Corporation.
14:00 – 14:15 | Welcome and Introduction
Introduction to IFC’s Climate Business Department
Overview of sustainable finance instruments, including green and blue bonds.
14:15 – 14:45 | Applying Sustainable Finance to Decarbonization Across Sectors
Exploration of sustainable finance instruments
Presentation of technologies and programs such as battery storage, EVs, and NBS.
14:45 – 15:15 | Enhancing Sustainability with IFC’s Proprietary Tools, Standards, and Applications
Detailed overview of EDGE, BRI, and APEX functionalities.
Case studies demonstrating successful implementation.
15:15 – 15:30 | Break
15:30 – 16:00 | Integrating IFC Tools into Investment Strategies
How IFC’s Tools Improve ESG and Sustainable Reporting
Benefits of certification and resilience assessment in attracting sustainable finance.
16:00 – 16:30 | Case Studies and Practical Applications
Analysis of successful projects utilizing IFC tools.
Discussion on lessons learned and best practices.
16:30 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks and Networking
Diep Nguyen -van Houtte
Senior Manager, Climate Business
International Finance Corporation
Michelle M. Farrell
Senior Operations Officer, Climate
Business Department
International Finance Corporation
Oman’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center (MHEWC), under the Directorate
General of Meteorology (DGMET) within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
plays a pivotal role in enhancing national preparedness for extreme climate
events. The MHEWC is equipped with advanced meteorological tools to
monitor, forecast, and issue warnings for hazards such as cyclones, flash
floods, and tsunamis. By improving forecasting accuracy and utilizing real-time
data, the center ensures timely alerts to safeguard communities and critical
infrastructure.
The center’s early warning systems (EWS) integrate advanced communication
technologies to deliver swift and precise alerts through satellite systems,
mobile networks, and social media. This multi-channel approach ensures rapid
dissemination of critical information, allowing the public and emergency
responders to take proactive measures. The MHEWC also collaborates with
international meteorological organizations, continuously refining its strategies
to enhance disaster detection and response capabilities.
By focusing on both early detection and post-event evaluation, the MHEWC
strengthens Oman’s ability to manage the impacts of extreme climate events.
This comprehensive system underscores the nation’s commitment to reducing
risks, protecting lives, and building resilience against the growing threats
posed by climate change and natural disasters.
Moza Mohammed Al Marhoobi
Meteorological Specialist
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Engaging over 3,000 children across Edureach schools in the GCC, Project Earthlings is an innovative programme, bringing its real-world conservation research and ethos into the heart of schools. This workshop outlines the strategy to advancing wildlife conservation through collaboration and building critical mass to drive positive behavioural change in Oman.
Dr. Melissa Duncan – Schiele
Head of Conservation and Research
EDUREACH
This master class will provide an overview of renewable energy systems with a
particular focus on solar and wind energy. The session will begin by
introducing the fundamentals of renewable energy technologies, with a special
emphasis on solar energy systems. Participants will gain a deeper
understanding of how solar energy works, along with an example of a rooftop
solar installation. Additionally, I will guide the audience through the design
process of a solar system and run a simulation of a solar PV plant to
demonstrate its practical application.
Furthermore, I will showcase the R&D plant located at PDO (Petroleum
Development Oman) and share key findings from this initiative. The session will
also cover ongoing and upcoming solar projects within PDO, detailing the
strategic target to achieve a 30% solar energy share by 2026.
To round off the master class, I will introduce the wind energy projects
underway, including the installation of a meteorological mast (met mast) for
wind project assessment, highlighting the potential of wind energy in Oman.
Dr.Mazin Al Shidhani
Renewable Energy Engineer
PDO
The importance of setting sustainability goals aligned with Oman’s vision for
achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Developing a sustainability strategy with clear, measurable, and monitored key
performance indicators.
Identifying climate change mitigation measures relevant to your business
activities.
Building a carbon neutrality roadmap aligned with Oman’s national goals.
A case study on a carbon-neutral house as a practical example.
Dr. Samer Thabet
Sustainability Advisor