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'Innovation key to sustainability in growth'

JEDDAH: Although relatively new, sustainability issues have been evolving quickly in the marketplace, yet there is still room for improvement, says Asya Al-Ashaikh, a Saudi founder and CEO of Tamkeen Sustainability Advisors.

"Improvement can be made especially in giving sustainability professionals the necessary dedicated infrastructure (budget, staff, technology and clear organizational roles and responsibilities) to drive results," Asya told Arab News in an interview.

"I believe that in general, we are in the phase of closing the gap between aspirations and actions. The challenge is to find ways to engage private sector in closing those gaps especially in areas where there is no clear financial returns on investment. As for the region, I believe we are facing same international issues with additional direct and pressing challenges and, of course, considering the economic challenges and political instabilities the pace and progress in sustainability is slower," said Asya who is among the jury members in the Siemens Student Award 2011 competition which seeks the best answers to one of the world's toughest questions, "How can you build sustainable cities in the desert?"  The contest will be held in Doha on Nov. 1.

"From my experience in sustainability in the region in general and in Saudi Arabia in particular, I feel that one of the main reasons for our slow progress is our education system that does not reward innovation or solution creation. Our students, who are the future leaders, are taught processes and technicalities and theories, but are far from creating solutions to challenges that face our nation or creating solutions catering to our needs. We can see that in many fields such as water, energy, construction and even responsible management. Accordingly, I am very pleased to see such initiatives and am happy being part of the reputable jury of the contest to recognize sustainability solution," she said.

Also, the awareness for the need to invest in sustainability is still low. This is why there is need for efforts and initiatives from both public and private sectors to promote the concept and work toward achieving positive returns in all sectors (government, private and community). "I believe that governments in the region started to have sustainability in the core of their agendas especially after 2000. For example, the Saudi government has drawn since then a broad strategic vision of the economy and development that is geared toward accomplishing sustainable development. This has been translated into bigger budgets in education, empowerment, water and infrastructure issues, as well as a number of regulations that support them," she said.

On Siemens contest, Asya said: “I believe that the competition will benefit Saudi students just like it benefits other students in the region. It will broaden their horizons and will entice them to think, innovate and compete. It is training in itself for innovation in sustainability. The outcome of this competition will point out where we lack in knowledge and processes and what is needed and where are the obstacles especially that the whole model we are talking about is at the end of the day in ‘the desert’. So just like other students, Saudi students and mainly participants will learn and see that they have a role to play and they are capable to set solutions to our sustainability challenges.”