A Chat with Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi - ESG Officer at SAWACO's Water Division - Discusses His Role in Establishing and Enforcing Environmental Quality Standards and Sustainability Initiatives

Casual Q&A with Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi and a Peek at SAWACO

Hey there, let's chat about you and SAWACO!

Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi: Ever since my college days, I've been passionately fascinated with renewable energy, sustainability, and our environment, especially after the release of Al Gore's book, 'The Inconvenient Truth.' I took the plunge into the water treatment and desalination industry back in 2009. That experience ignited a curiosity within me about water-energy nexuses, the environmental impacts of desalination and wastewater treatment plants, and the importance of eco-friendly approaches for sustainability. I later pursued my Masters and Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Management, bolstering my understanding of energy technologies and environmental sustainability.

Wait, what's SAWACO all about?

Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi: SAWACO, an established private company with over 20 years of experience, is one of the leading suppliers of bulk un-bottled potable water in the western region of Saudi Arabia. They invest heavily in R&D and new technologies to enhance water production and minimize environmental impacts.

Responsibilities and Goals

As SAWACO's first ESG Officer (Environmental, Social, and Governance), I develop and implement strategies, policies, and initiatives that align with SAWACO's commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and robust corporate governance. My primary goals include assisting companies in their transition towards sustainability and promoting ESG practices among SMEs in Saudi Arabia to drive sustainable development.

Strengths as an ESG Officer

I believe that, as an ESG Officer, one of my strengths lies in integrating sustainability considerations into the overall corporate strategy. This enables me to contribute to long-term value creation and enhance the company's reputation.

The Journey to Becoming an ESG Officer

I've always been passionate about environmental protection solutions, renewable energy solutions, and material resource recovery. When I completed my scholarship, my appointment as an ESG Officer was the perfect opportunity to apply my passion, knowledge, and research skills to lead and build SAWACO's ESG department.

Challenges and Learnings

ESG is still an emerging topic, especially within SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Navigating ESG reporting best practices is one of the biggest challenges I've faced as an ESG Officer.

In One Word

Some might say I'm a 'Visionary,' always looking ahead for ways to make a positive impact on our environment and society.

What I Value Most about SAWACO's Vision

SAWACO strives to pioneer the private desalination sector and prioritize environmental sustainability. They achieve this by investing in innovative solutions to enhance the performance of their plants, reduce resource consumption, and minimize their environmental impact.

Strategies and Unique Aspects

SAWACO stands out from its competitors with strategies such as:- Launching a GHG Emission accounting program.- Reducing dependency on fossil fuels for electricity.- Adopting artificial intelligence in various processes to optimize operational conditions and reduce energy consumption.- Considering renewable energy sources to power their desalination plants.- Investing in technologies to improve freshwater recovery rates from Reverse Osmosis desalination systems.

Hope you found this chat insightful, and feel free to connect with me on Linkedin for more insights into my work and SAWACO's sustainability initiatives! here's my Linkedin Profile. 💪

Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi's passion for renewable energy, sustainability, and the environment, particularly climate-change, was ignited during his college days and fueled further after reading Al Gore's 'The Inconvenient Truth.'
SAWACO, a leading supplier of bulk un-bottled potable water in the western region of Saudi Arabia, invests in R&D and new technologies to increase water production and minimize environmental impacts.
As SAWACO's ESG Officer, Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi's primary goals involve assisting companies in transitioning towards sustainability and promoting ESG practices among SMEs in Saudi Arabia to drive sustainable development.
With an emphasis on renewable energy sources, artificial intelligence, GHG Emission accounting, and freshwater recovery improvements, SAWACO applies innovative strategies to power its desalination plants and optimize operational conditions while reducing energy consumption.

A Chat with Dr. Ahmad Yousef Kutbi - ESG Officer at SAWACO's Water Division - Discusses His Role in Establishing and Enforcing Environmental Quality Standards and Sustainability Initiatives