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

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

I always find humor to be the best way to deliver a message… And we rarely use this tool in the sustainability field. Here’s a great example Zodiac Signs as Ocean Polluters. A creative, funny, and surprisingly insightful take. A good and fun read for the weekend! Have a great weekend, everyone! #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

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

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

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

Why District Energy? District energy is heating or cooling delivered through centralized networks. It’s one of the most efficient tools we have for decarbonizing cities. Take Denmark as an example: ➡️ Nearly 70% of Danish households are connected to district heating ➡️ 75% of the heat comes from renewables or waste-based sources One thing I found very interesting yesterday: The sector is a non-profit, municipally driven system with strong local ownership. I think many countries in the MENA region could benefit from this model, especially those where action is often needed at the municipal level, like Lebanon. One more thing… A holistic city-level approach opens the door to sector coupling. This means linking different energy sectors for greater efficiency and flexibility. Denmark uses waste-to-energy plants and excess heat from data centers and industries to supply heat to district networks. This plays a big role in decarbonizing heating. And yes, sector coupling is also possible and happening for cooling, especially in the Gulf. Solar PV + District Cooling + Recycled Water + Seawater Cooling Dubai is already pioneering district cooling, covering 25% of its cooling demand. It’s the largest district cooling network globally. Imagine the impact if more cities across MENA adopted these models, especially where municipalities can lead. What’s your take on district energy? Would it be suitable for your country? ➡️ This post is part of collaboration between MajdTalks & The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks State of Green Denmark Hanane El Ghiouane Yassmine Gadalla Maria Lind Arlaud

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

The Danish story from black to green… In the 1970s, Denmark depended on imported fossil fuels for 99% of its energy. When the oil crisis hit, Denmark made a choice. Not to wait, but to act instead… Today, Denmark is targeting a 70% cut in emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. One of the most ambitious climate goals in the world. But how did this transformation happen? Here’s what shaped the Danish green transition: ✅ Established the world’s first Ministry of Environment in 1971 ✅ Pioneered offshore wind with the world’s first wind farm in 1991 ✅ Banned the construction of new coal power plants in 1991 ✅ Turned waste into energy through district heating systems ✅ Introduced a national carbon tax to accelerate the shift ✅ Built Energy Islands powered by large-scale offshore wind ✅ Made energy efficiency a national priority across buildings, transport, and industry ✅ Placed collaboration at the heart of every decision What I find very interesting about Denmark’s story isn’t just the policies or infrastructure. It’s the mindset and the long-term thinking. One of the most powerful parts of this story is the role of people and businesses. In Denmark, nothing moves forward unless both the public and private sectors are aligned. This deep-rooted collaboration is what makes their model work. As Finn M., Executive Director at State of Green Denmark, puts it: “In Denmark, close cooperation between public and private sectors has been key to building a resilient and competitive green economy. Building on 50 years of experience, we are confident that this partnership-driven approach is indispensable for advancing the global green transition." 🎥 Video by State of Green Denmark ➡️ This post is part of collaboration between MajdTalks & The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates. 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #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

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

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

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

Ski slope on the top of a waste-to-energy plant… This might be the coolest waste-to-energy plant in the world. Usually, a waste facility is the last place you’d want to visit. But Copenhagen flipped that idea on its head with CopenHill. Built on top of a waste-to-energy plant, CopenHill is not only a green power station… It’s a ski slope. A hiking trail. A climbing wall. And a bold symbol of urban sustainability. The facility replaced the 50-year-old Amagerforbrænding plant and is the single largest environmental initiative in Denmark. It operates 24/7 and delivers district heating to 160,000 households and supplies electricity to 62,500 homes The plant can process 440,000 tons of waste annually, converting it into clean energy instead of sending it to landfills. 🚠 On the outside, it features: ➡️ A 450-meter artificial ski slope, open all year ➡️ A 280-foot climbing wall—the tallest in the world ➡️ A green rooftop with hiking trails and biodiversity zones Since its inauguration in 2019, biologists have recorded over 119 new plant and tree species on-site, showing how industry and nature can thrive side by side. What do you think ? ➡️ This post is part of collaboration between MajdTalks & The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks First photo from a Hufton&Crow photo The remaining two photos are mine.

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

Leaving the best to the last… Over the past few days, I’ve received so many messages about sustainability innovations I must explore in Denmark. Here’s the collection I wish I had more time to dive into... Each one a special world-first or best-in-class blueprint: ➡️ Kalundborg Symbiosis The world’s first industrial symbiosis network exchanging heat, water, and by-products for 50+ years. ➡️ Agricultural Climate Initiatives The first-ever emissions tax on farms. Revenues fuel R&D in low-carbon fertilizers and methane digesters, targeting a 55–65% cut by 2030. ➡️ Climate Partnerships The first CEO-led, sectoral coalitions co-authoring voluntary roadmaps for 70% GHG cuts by 2030, backed by quarterly KPIs and government pilot grants. ➡️ the LEGO Group The first global toy company to pledge 100% circular products by 2030. Already runs on 100% renewables and pilots plant-based bricks with take-back programs. ➡️ Chr. Hansen The first biotech firm turning microbes into natural food cultures and bio-fertilizers cutting preservatives by 70% and synthetic nitrogen use by 30%. ➡️ Tscherning Denmark’s first fashion house built on design-for-disassembly—100% GOTS-organic and recycled textiles that feed back into new yarns. ➡️ Energy Islands The world’s first offshore wind “hub” model, linking 3–5 GW farms across Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands on shared infrastructure. ➡️ Circular Construction The first “Concrete Recycling Hubs” reducing virgin cement needs by 15%. ➡️ CopenPay Copenhagen’s first city-wide green loyalty program (June 17–Aug 17, 2025). Walk, bike, ride transit, choose plant-based meals or pick up litter to earn points redeemable for museum entries, yoga classes, bike shares, and more. ➡️ Musholm Ferie - Sport - Konference The world’s first barrier-free resort and conference venue certified by the Danish Muscular Dystrophy Foundation—designed from Day 1 for full social inclusion. ➡️ ProjectZero and Danfoss Brilliant application of sector coupling solutions to achieve carbon neutrality. For sure, I missed many... Feel free to tag your best innovations from Denmark. ➡️ This post is part of collaboration between MajdTalks & The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks Photo at Danfoss Headquarters taken by Saahil Khan

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

MajdTalks in Denmark Or as I like to say… Denmark is taking over my feed. I’m excited to announce a special collaboration between MajdTalks and the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai. From 26 to 29 May, I’ll be sharing stories and insights from Denmark Spotlighting climate solutions, clean energy innovations, and urban sustainability features. All born in Denmark. How infrastructure is designed with circularity in mind?  How district energy systems are optimized?  How partnerships are driving climate action forward? And more… Oh, and one more thing— I’ll also be part of the GCC District Energy Delegation, organized under The Trade Council. I’ll be sharing energy-focused takeaways from that experience as well. Stay tuned! The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates #MajdTalks #Denmark #MajdTalksInDenmark

Set the bar high even if you don’t reach it… Copenhagen had one of the most ambitious climate targets in the world: Become the first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. They didn’t fully get there. But they achieved an 80% emissions reduction since 2010. And that’s a big deal. Not everything moved as planned. For example, heavy vehicles didn’t switch to new fuels as forecasted. Carbon capture projects didn’t get the investment needed to materialize. But setting ambitious targets created a mindset to innovate, experiment, and find solutions. One more thing. Copenhagen has its own carbon offset program where the utility invests in green projects outside the city to help offset its emissions. Now, learning from this journey, the city is going even further with a climate positive plan by 2035: ➡️ Go from carbon neutral to climate positive (removing more CO₂ than emitted) ➡️ 50% reduction in citizen consumption-based emissions ➡️ 50% reduction in city procurement-based emissions (covering everything the city buys including construction materials, IT equipment, outsourced services, etc.) Even when things don’t go perfectly, setting a high target drives change. What do you think ? ➡️ This post is part of collaboration between MajdTalks & The Trade Council of Denmark in the United Arab Emirates 📢 Follow Majd Fayyad for more insights about sustainability and decarbonisation. #MajdTalks State of Green Denmark Joakim Larsen Hanane El Ghiouane Yassmine Gadalla Maria Lind Arlaud Cassia Simons Januario