Majd Fayyad's Linkedin Analytics

Imagine schools as living labs for climate action… If we want students to lead, they need to see what leadership looks like. Not only in theory… but in practice. How can we teach our students about climate responsibility if we don’t show them what responsibility looks like? Imagine schools demonstrating climate leadership on their premises and involving students in that. Examples of that: - Students tracking their school’s carbon footprint. - Measuring energy use. - Organizing zero-waste campaigns. - Drafting green policies. - Testing the systems they study. This is what it means to turn schools into living labs. I had the pleasure participating in the SEE Global Sustainability Summit. Thank you to the organizers and panelists for an important conversation on education’s role in climate leadership. #MajdTalks

Can we still limit global warming to 1.5°C? A recent article by WRI looks into this and examines 5 approaches for setting national emissions targets for 2030 and 2035 ahead of COP30. I find these approaches very interesting and eye-opening to the global conversations around climate action. It is definitely complex and challenging when you’re trying to balance science, economics, equity, and national contexts.... but this is exactly the kind of thinking we need. Here’s a quick summary of the 5 approaches: 1️⃣ Focus on cost. Align with the 1.5 goal but prioritize the most cost-effective solutions. 2️⃣ Focus on equity and fairness. Still aligned with 1.5, but considers historical responsibility, economic capacity, and equal per capita emissions. 3️⃣ Focus on national net-zero pledges. Instead of following global pathways, countries develop their own modeled trajectories toward net zero. 4️⃣ Use linear paths to net zero. This is a simpler method where you draw a straight line to 2050. But from where each country should start? 5️⃣ Focus on feasibility in each country regardless of global limits or long-term net-zero commitments. What do you think nations will do ahead of COP30? Here’s a closer look at whether the NDCs of major emitters are ambitious enough. Check the graphic by WRI. ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonsiation. #MajdTalks

You’re under 40? Then you probably don’t have a board seat. Despite driving breakthrough innovations, young people remain drastically underrepresented in leadership. Less than 3% of Fortune 500 board seats are held by people under 40. Yet, around 40% of major global innovations come from that same age group. It’s time for boardrooms to reflect the age of innovation. This clip is from a panel discussion at the World Green Economy Summit, led by May Ben Khadra. 3 years ago, I was proud to be selected for the first cohort Emerging Board Leaders Fellowship, led by Diversity On Board powered by HSBC. The program recognizes exceptional Arab and North African men and women under 45 and helps accelerate their pathway into boardrooms. Everyone in that cohort was truly exceptional. They bring the kind of insight, energy, and diversity that can boost board performance. So next time you’re searching for new board members—check the list. It’s time to stop equating age with readiness. #MajdTalks

If you're a CEO, CFO, or CSO, you need to see this... We always talk about the cost of inaction on climate. And here are some numbers that you must see. ➡️ Companies could lose 5% to 25% of their future profits by 2050 if they don’t act on climate risks. ➡️ Every $1 spent on climate adaptation today could save $2–$19 in future losses. ➡️ Carbon pricing and regulation could add huge costs especially in heavy industries. The longer companies wait, the more exposed they become... Leaders who act early will be better positioned to adapt and stay competitive. 📢 For more insights about net zero and sustainability, follow Majd Fayyad #MajdTalks

Is the circular economy dying? The numbers aren’t optimistic. Yesterday, the Circularity Gap Report 2025 was published by Circle Economy and Deloitte. Global circularity is now at 6.9%, down from 7.2% in 2018. We’d expect the world to move forward on sustainability and circular economy. Instead, it’s moving backwards. Some facts from the report: ➡️Global material extraction has now passed 100 billion tonnes a year ➡️Recycling rates are falling ➡️Waste generation is increasing ➡️Nearly 40% of materials go into long-lived stocks like buildings but we’re not designing them for reuse Even in the best-case scenario where all unrecycled waste is recovered, circularity would only reach 25%. Is it game over? ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation #MajdTalks

Concrete is the world’s second most used material after water. And it’s responsible for nearly 7% of global CO₂ emissions. That’s the paradox we face… A material we can’t easily replace, but one we urgently need to rethink. Here comes innovations like carbon-negative concrete, a concrete that not just emits less carbon but it captures and stores it. Think of concrete becoming CARBON SINKS. What do we need to scale it? Developers demanding low-carbon concrete Policy that accelerates low-carbon standards Investment in carbon capture and mineralization tech Incentives for blended cement and circular inputs Cross-sector collaboration to make it all viable ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks Infographic: MIT

Great energy in today’s board meeting! Exciting collaborations, activations, and content coming soon… Stay tuned!

Top 3 behavior changes with highest emission reductions 1. Going car free or switching to public transport 2. Cutting down on animal-based foods 3. Decreasing home energy use and improving appliance efficiency ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks Source: WRI

A great discussion for a Sunday morning! Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining Aerzen Talks. We spoke about my personal journey into sustainability, the state of decarbonization—globally and regionally, the role of governments, businesses, and end-users…. and why hope is not just important, but essential in the climate crisis… And more and more… Stay tuned. I can’t wait to share this with you soon. #MajdTalks

Fashion is one of the most carbon intensive industries. This chart shows just how massive the footprint still is. Fast fashion isn’t just fast.. It’s emissions-heavy from end to end: production, logistics, waste, and everything in between. Green marketing is not enough… Having one fashion line that is green is not enough… What are the most promising innovations or policies you’ve seen in this space? ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights in sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks

This evening, I’m back at Terra. What I really love about Terra isn’t just the architecture or the ambition to be net zero… it’s the people who are behind it and who work here… Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to work closely with several of the individuals behind Terra… through the feature on MajdTalks and the interview with Dr. Jane Goodall. And one thing that stuck with me? The people who work here are deeply connected to Terra. They don’t talk about her as a building… they talk about her as a living being. I love this connection. And I believe buildings should facilitate that kind of connection. That’s what makes Terra special. #MajdTalks VisitTerra.ae

How long will it take to decarbonize the global building sector at today’s pace? Over a century… Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of global energy-related emissions. Yet globally, retrofitting rates are stuck at about 1% per year, mostly shallow upgrades (energy savings around 10%). To meet our global net-zero targets by 2050: ➡️ We need to more than double the retrofit rate to at least 2.5% per year by 2030 ➡️ Focus on deep retrofits that cut energy use by 50% Deep retrofits are very challenging, because they require upgrades to building envelopes, systems, and structures. Have you been involved in a deep retrofit project? Please share your experience in the comments. ⬇️ 🚨Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights on sustainability and decabonisation. Photo: Aim Congress #MajdTalks #NetZero #EnergyEfficiency #DeepRetrofits #BuildingDecarbonization #ClimateAction #IEA #Sustainability

to nature we belong… And yet, we’ve built systems that disconnect us from it. Buildings that disconnect us from it… One of the most powerful shifts we can make is how we design our buildings… Have you heard of biophilic design? It is more than just adding plants. It’s about reconnecting people with nature through natural light, organic materials, earthy textures, and even the gentle curves of a bench like this one. Studies show that biophilic spaces reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance well-being. In a world full of concrete, maybe the real luxury is nature itself. Or at least concrete mimicking nature. ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights into sustainability and decarbonisation #MajdTalks

MajdTalks has officially crossed 15K subscribers! It’s incredible to see how the platform has grown in just around 8 months. I’m truly grateful for everyone who believed in the vision, followed the journey, and supported it along the way. Thank you for being part of this. 🙏 If you have not subscribed, click the link below and subscribe 💚 #MajdTalks

LinkedIn News Middle East asked me to share my advice to new grads entering the job market... Here are my top five pieces of advice for anyone who wants to pursue a career in sustainability: 1️⃣ Never stop learning. Education doesn’t end with a degree! You start learning after you get your degree. 2️⃣ Engage with like-minded professionals. Learn from everyone working in this field. 3️⃣ Master communication. Technical knowledge is essential, but your ability to explain and inspire is what drives real change. 4️⃣ Give more than you get. Be generous with your time and energy. Progressing in sustainability field requires a lot of effort and time. Don't expect much in return :) 5️⃣ Believe in your impact. If you don’t believe you can create change, you never will do. This is even more critical in the sustainability field. #MajdTalks #LinkedInNewsMiddleEast

How NetZero & ESG are connected? In this video, I break down the relationship between Net Zero and ESG, and why understanding both is crucial for businesses. ✅ Learn where Net Zero falls under ESG frameworks. ✅ Discover the percentage of investors who expect companies to integrate ESG with a clear Net Zero strategy. ✅ Understand how tightening regulations make Net Zero critical to a successful ESG strategy. Is your company setting the standard on ESG and Net Zero ? 💬 Comment below where your company stands! 👍 Don't forget to Like, Share, and Follow Majd Fayyad for more leadership and sustainability insights. 📌 Subscribe now to MajdTalks and join the movement for a smarter and cleaner future. Link in the first comment. #MajdTalks

It’s not going to change… I hear this line a lot in many sustainability events and climate discussions. Even from great minds. You can hear the frustration in people’s voices, even from experts, professionals and people who care deeply. They feel hopeless that real change will happen… They talk about what needs to change, but they don’t sound hopeful. In my recent interview with Dr. Jane Goodall, I asked her: How do we help young people stay hopeful? How do we keep them believing that their actions matter? She said something along the lines of this: Let every person choose one thing in their community. Something they care about: people, animals, nature. Let them take one small action. And once they see it make a difference, they start to feel hopeful. And then they take another action. And another. That’s how you build a culture of hope. And yesterday, I had a conversation with a brillant mind Harald Friedl. He said something that really stayed with me: “Hope and courage are forms of action.” Here’s what I believe: ➡️Hope isn’t just a feeling. Hope is a strategy and very powerful one. ➡️Hope multiplies through action. ➡️Hope is deeply connected to vulnerability and authenticity. Living on Lala land is not hope. That’s delusion. Hope is understanding the complexity of problem and taking action to make changes. If it works or not, you will remain trying. That’s hope! Photo: One of my favorite photos taken in Mexico #MajdTalks

Why Sustainability Fails? We all know the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and social.. But here’s the truth no one wants to admit: We only care if it makes money. As if, our lens is economic by default. To be fair, this approach helped. Especially when sustainability wasn’t seen as “profitable.” It made it easier to convince businesses and investors. But now? The challenges we face are different. The risks are different. The cost of inaction is far bigger. We need a new lens. Share your thoughts below. 🔄 Repost and share with your colleagues ➡️ Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation #MajdTalks

Plastic doesn't go away easily... Why do plastics last so long? Plastic is derived from petroleum, and its carbon bonds don’t exist in nature. This makes it much harder and energy-intensive to break. For example, a plastic water bottle can take around 450 years to decompose... Plastics we use for minutes end up polluting the earth for centuries. How is your organization tackling the plastic waste challenge? 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability. #MajdTalks

The main issue in designing buildings today? We don’t design green buildings. We design buildings and then try to make them green. This mindset needs to change. If we want truly cost-effective, net-zero buildings, we have to flip the process. We must design net-zero buildings from the start. Because every time we redesign to make something “look better” or “perform better,” we add cost, complexity, and compromise. The solution? Aggressive passive design. When we prioritize passive design and energy efficiency: ➡️We reduce energy demand before adding systems ➡️We lower operational costs ➡️And we strengthen the business case for net-zero It was a pleasure to join Andre Melo, Ben Lemire, Henro Mans, and brilliant moderator Nasra Nanda at the Bureau Veritas panel discussion to explore green building initiatives and the path to net zero. Thank you to Bureau Veritas, the panelists, and Nasra for a truly engaging and thought-provoking discussion. What’s one passive design strategy you’d like to see prioritized more in our region? #MajdTalks