017: Head of Sustainability Operations at Expo 2020, Dina Mustafa

In this episode, we talk to Dina Mustafa. She is the Head of Sustainability Operations at Expo 2020, Dubai. She began her career with the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (UNFAO) where she conducted agricultural data collection, maintained budgets and prepare research papers. She is a LEED-certified sustainability expert with more than 14 years’ experience in the public and private sector. She is currently leading the development and implementation of the World Expo’s sustainable event management strategy, and her expertise enables her to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to help Expo 2020 achieve all their sustainability goals  During this episode, we take a look at what it takes to stay on track of creating the most sustainable Expo. What the Expo is and what we can expect to see there. We also discover a few interesting things that were first revealed at a world expo, like the ice cream cone and ketchup.   Episode Highlights[01:42] How did your journey start? [02:42] I was one of the few women lucky enough to graduate with a chemical engineering degree. [03:16] When I got to the US, I was like any other immigrant. A few thousand dollars in my pocket and maybe a suitcase and a fold out couch that was given to me to sleep on and so that was my life at the beginning. [03:28] I went back to school. I got my MBA in international business and I also obtained a masters in sustainability management from Columbia University. [03:42] I don’t think that you need to study sustainability to be aware of it. I think you are aware of it and then you go back and say I want this to be my profession. [05:02] I joined the Expo about a year ago, very excited to be working at the Expo it is, I can only say mindblowing. [06:17] World Expo’s, in general, were all about connecting people. The first World Expo was in the 1800’s in London. [06:51] In Dubai this is the first Expo that’s held in this part of the world. [06:57] The theme of the Expo is connecting minds, creating the future with three sub-themes, sustainability, mobility and opportunity. [07:37] In the US they call Expo’s, world fairs. [07:40] Some of the things that were showcased at an Expo for the first time and now it is everyday use, is the ice cream cone. [09:03] So if you have an idea and you have gone through the prototype level and you would like to come and present to us you can actually register at https://www.expo2020dubai.com/en/expo-live/Innovation (Expo Live). [12:54] All of our buildings are LEED gold certified and the sustainability pavilion which we will talk about later is platinum certified or will be platinum certified, it is on track. [14:22] We are trying to build a site that is sufficient, that uses passive measures to conserve energy and to conserve water. [15:36] About the sustainability pavilion. [16:16] And if you go to the Expo https://www.expo2020dubai.com/ (website) you would probably see a lot of information about the sustainability pavilion. [18:10]Water is actually more important than oil and I think that was a saying by Sheikh Mohammed. [20:47] Growing your food closer, first of all, reduces the carbon footprint so you have a big impact on climate change when you are reduce your carbon footprint and then you are reducing your water intake too. [22:08] What has been one of your most important decisions that you have made around mama earth? [22:29] It is simple things that make a ripple effect and I think that is what we need to focus on. Don’t try to change the world one whole piece at a time but try with small things, little things and take it one step at a time and don’t judge.   Final Five1.What is one social media platform that you follow?  https://www.facebook.com/groups/grumpyexpat/ (Grumpy Expat) https://www.unenvironment.org/ (UN Environment) http://www.unhcr.org/ (UNHCR) https://www.economist.com/ (The Economist )...

2356 232