Mohamed Karam, InSinkErator

“It is a long and continuous journey that starts with us, for a better future and for the coming generations”

#IAMTHESUSTAINABILIST MOHAMED KARAM

Senior Business Development Manager Middle East & Africa Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions, InSinkErator

Over the past 18 years, I’ve been working with several multinational companies, building brands and solutions across key industries to meet consumers’ needs, that have exposed me to international markets and become aware of various cultures.

During this journey, I noticed the race between companies to innovate and introduce products to improve the quality of our lives. But, what about the world we live in? How could we make it a better place, for us and for the future generations? Climate change, floods and other natural disasters, why are they happening? Who is responsible for them?

All these questions lead to my passion for sustainability and made me focus my efforts on helping protect our natural resources and on spreading awareness about it. I was lucky to Join Emerson Electric Co. in 2010 to open

our regional office in Dubai, and to introduce InSinkErator food waste disposers technology and solutions for the Middle East and Africa region.

Studies show that 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally each year, which is one third of all food produced for human consumption. Food waste typically ends up in landfills where it emits harmful greenhouse gases. However, waste disposal technologies limit the amount of food waste sent to landfills and make good use of it. Food waste can yield biogas and vital soil nutrients which can be recovered at wastewater treatment plants.

On January 1 st 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at a historic UN Summit, officially came into force. To fulfill the strategy and its goals, governments need to drive

sustainability amongst both consumers and industries, pushing a strategic approach to recycling, including the introduction of a zero waste to landfill strategy and action plan and the opening of several new recycling centres.

The UAE government took the lead in this notion. In January 2012, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Green Economy initiative under the slogan “A Green Economy for Sustainable Development.” Under this initiative, the UAE seeks to become a global hub and a successful model of the new green economy, to enhance the country’s competitiveness and sustainability, and preserve its environment. It also includes an important goal to divert 75% of waste from landfills by 2021.

It is a long and continuous journey that starts with us, for a better future and for the coming generations.