Let's Turn The Tide 🌊🎙️

In this episode of Let's Turn the Tide by Veolia, we kick off Water Security in Action, a special series ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. Host Nadine Zidani sits down with Anne Le Guennec, CEO of Veolia's global water technologies activities, to talk about why solving water scarcity is less about finding more water and more about rethinking how we produce, treat, and reuse it. In this episode, you'll learn about:Why the Middle East, where 70 to 90% of water comes from desalination, became the birthplace of modern desalination technologyWhat a diversified "water mix" looks like for a water-stressed city, and why it mirrors the logic of an energy mixHow reverse osmosis membranes replaced thermal desalination and cut energy consumption, making plants in places like Oman energy-neutral or even energy-positiveVeolia's new compact, plug-and-play desalination unit, the Barrel, and how it cuts civil works needs by 20%Why water should be understood as a renewable, circular resource — not something to be "wasted"Why only 11% of water is recycled worldwide today, and what's holding wider adoption backHow data centers and AI are becoming an unexpected accelerator for water reuse, including a real-world project with AWS in MississippiWhat Anne's core message will be at the 2026 UN Water Conference: it's time to stop asking about the cost of water, and start asking about the cost of no water🎧 Listen to Let's Turn the Tide on all major podcast platforms.📌 Subscribe for more conversations on sustainability in the region.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let's Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East, we are in Abu Dhabi with Helder Daravano, CEO of Magma. Together with our host Nadine Zidani, they discuss why hazardous waste management is a strategic enabler of industrial growth rather than just a disposal cost.They take a closer look at MAGMA, the UAE's leading integrated hazardous and radioactive waste treatment facility. Located in Ruwais and established as a joint venture between Veolia, Tadweer, and Vision Invest, the facility combines specialized treatment with resource recovery, turning certain waste streams into valuable raw materials.In this episode, you'll learn about:What hazardous waste is, why it matters, and why it requires specialized treatmentReal-world examples of hazardous waste and how some of it can be recovered, reused or recycledHow MAGMA treats hazardous waste and what makes its integrated approach different from traditional waste treatment facilitiesHow innovation is transforming hazardous waste managementHow hazardous waste management supports the UAE's sustainability ambitions and broader goals across the regionWhy responsible hazardous waste management matters for businesses🎧 Listen to Let's Turn the Tide on all major podcast platforms.📌 Subscribe for more conversations on sustainability in the region.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let's Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East, Nadine Zidani sits down with Alexandre Rio, Waste Management Expert at Veolia in the Near and Middle East, for an in-depth look at one of the most misunderstood infrastructures in the world: the landfill.From the science of leachate and biogas to regulation, Alex breaks down what modern landfill management actually looks like - and why getting it right matters far more than simply moving away from landfills altogether. Veolia currently operates 8 out of 12 landfills in Oman, and is actively capturing biogas and converting it to electricity across 3 sites in the region.In this episode, you'll learn about:What a sanitary engineered landfill is and how it differs from a traditional dump siteThe three non-negotiables for Veolia to operate a landfill: proper design, execution, and operationHow leachate forms, why it's dangerous, and how it can be treated and reusedHow captured landfill gas is converted into electricity, heat, biomethane, and even a CO₂ commodityRegulation on landfillsLandfill end of life and reconversion3 key pillars to reduce landfill dependency🎧 Listen to Let's Turn the Tide on all major podcast platforms. 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on sustainability and environmental solutions in the region.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let's Turn the Tide podcast by Veolia in the Near Middle East, we sit down with Christine Hecht, PhD researcher at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Together with host Nadine Zidani, Christine unpacks her Veolia-supported, nationwide research into how UAE residents actually perceive and practice recycling - and why the common claim that "no one recycles here" doesn't hold up.Her study breaks UAE residents into three groups - current recyclers, lapsed recyclers, and those who've never recycled - and reveals just how close all three are to becoming committed recyclers.In this episode, you'll learn about:What UAE residents really think about recyclingThe main factors that influence recycling habits in the UAESimple sorting tips to improve your recycling habitsHow recycling supports resource security and the UAE's circular economy - not just environmental goals🎧 Listen to Let's Turn the Tide on all major podcast platforms. 📌 Subscribe for more conversations on sustainability in the region.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let's Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East, we are in Dubai with Renaud Capri, CEO of Enova, a regional leader in energy and facilities management. Together with our host Nadine Zidani, they explore how energy efficiency, one of the fastest yet most underestimated levers for climate action, is being put to work across the Middle East to deliver the same performance with far less energy. At the center of the conversation is the Super ESCO model and Enova's partnerships with entities like Tarshid in Saudi Arabia, which are turning national net-zero ambitions into measurable results on the ground in airports, universities, hospitals, malls, and more.In this episode, you'll learn about:The hidden energy waste happening behind the scenes in everyday buildingsHow GCC countries are cascading net-zero commitments down to every governmental and private organizationThe Super ESCO model and how it finances large-scale energy efficiency projectsWhat's really driving private companies to invest in energy efficiency todayHow AI and Enova's Hubgrade digital platform are unlocking energy savings with minimal investmentThe Veolia × Majid Al Futtaim joint venture model and how it became a regional growth engine3 key steps every organization should follow to implement energy efficiency successfullyWhy the region's biggest energy savings potential is still ahead of us🎧 Listen to Let's Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East on all major podcast platforms.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let’s Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East, we are in Muscat, Oman with Suaad Al Harthi, Executive Director of the Environment Society of Oman, and Huda Al Harthy, Marketing and Communications Manager at Veolia in Oman.Together with our host Nadine Zidani, they discuss how environmental education can help shape long-term sustainability in Oman and the role of partnerships in turning awareness into action. At the center of the conversation is the Namat School Program, a nationwide initiative engaging public schools across Oman to encourage sustainable practices among students, teachers, and communities.In this episode, you’ll learn about:Oman’s environmental priorities and key sustainability challengesHow the Namat School Program empowers students to lead environmental initiativesWhy awareness and behavior change are essential for sustainabilityHow partnerships between NGOs, government, and the private sector drive long-term impactReal examples of student-led projects and their impactHow youth can become ambassadors for sustainability within their communitiesPowered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this episode of Let’s Turn the Tide by Veolia in the Near Middle East, we are in Riyadh with HH Princess Mashael AlShalan — a leading voice in sustainability in the Kingdom and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aeon Collective, a cross-disciplinary Waqf (non-profit endowment) advancing sustainable practices for inclusive, equitable, and resilient development.Princess Mashael brings over 15 years of professional experience spanning sustainable development, climate action, environmental conservation, and economic development. She also serves as Chairwoman of Women Energy, the first Saudi non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the energy sector.In this episode, you’ll learn about:Why sustainability narratives must reflect local identity and lived experienceHow to build truly inclusive dialogue for climate actionHow national pride can become a positive force for sustainabilityThe Tree Library concept and how hyper-local action can connect to a global networkThe challenges of protecting biodiversity and the Red Sea’s marine ecosystemsHow women are reshaping the energy sector — and what “leveling the playing field” really meansPowered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this fourth and final episode of our special AI series — a collaboration between Veolia Near Middle East and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi — Nadine Zidani is joined by Dr. Giulia De Masi, Associate Professor and Principal Researcher at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Adrien de Saint-Germain, CEO of Veolia Water Technologies Desalination. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of seawater desalination — making it smarter, more energy-efficient, and more sustainable. From predictive analytics that optimize plant operations to AI models protecting marine biodiversity, the discussion highlights how technology is driving innovation while safeguarding the environment. In this episode, you’ll learn about:-How AI reduces energy consumption in desalination plants-The role of predictive maintenance and digital twins in improving efficiency-How sensors, data, and AI models protect marine ecosystems near desalination sites-Why combining renewable energy with desalination is critical for the future-What the next decade of AI-powered water solutions could look likePowered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this third episode of our special AI series — a collaboration between Veolia Near Middle East and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi — Nadine Zidani is joined by Dr. Clio Chaveneau, Associate Professor of Sociology at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Rafiq Sid, Program Manager at Veolia Near Middle East.Together, they unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we sort, manage, and recycle waste — from AI-powered cameras on trucks to robotic arms that can identify up to 60 types of materials. But the conversation doesn’t stop at innovation. They also explore the social, legal, and environmental risks AI introduces, from data privacy to e-waste and energy use.In this episode, you’ll learn about:How AI is being used to optimize recycling operations.The role of data and computer vision in improving sorting accuracy.Why collaboration across governments, businesses, and citizens is essential.The ethical and ecological concerns raised by smart waste technologies.What responsible innovation in waste management really looks like.🎧 You can also listen to "Let’s Turn the Tide podcast" on Podeo, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.في الحلقة الثالثة من سلسلتنا الخاصة حول الذكاء الاصطناعي — والتي تأتي بالتعاون بين شركة Veolia Near Middle East وجامعة السوربون – أبوظبي — تستضيف نادين زداني كلاً من الدكتورة كليو شافونو، أستاذة مساعدة في علم الاجتماع بجامعة السوربون – أبوظبي، ورفيق سيد، مدير البرامج في Veolia Near Middle East.معًا، يناقشون كيف يُعيد الذكاء الاصطناعي تشكيل طرق فرز النفايات وإدارتها وإعادة تدويرها — بدءًا من الكاميرات الذكية المثبّتة على الشاحنات وصولاً إلى الأذرع الروبوتية القادرة على التعرّف على ما يصل إلى 60 نوعًا من المواد. لكن الحوار لا يقتصر على الابتكار؛ بل يتناول أيضًا المخاطر الاجتماعية والقانونية والبيئية التي يطرحها الذكاء الاصطناعي، بدءًا من خصوصية البيانات ووصولاً إلى النفايات الإلكترونية واستهلاك الطاقة.في هذه الحلقة، ستتعرفون على:كيف يُستخدم الذكاء الاصطناعي لتحسين عمليات إعادة التدوير.دور البيانات وتقنيات الرؤية الحاسوبية في رفع دقة الفرز.لماذا يُعدّ التعاون بين الحكومات والشركات والمواطنين أمرًا أساسيًا.المخاوف الأخلاقية والبيئية المرتبطة بتقنيات النفايات الذكية.وما الذي تعنيه الابتكارات المسؤولة فعلًا في مجال إدارة النفايات.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode

In this second episode of our special AI-focused series — brought to you in partnership with Veolia Near Middle East and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi — Nadine Zidani sits down with Dr. Samuel Feng, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and researcher at the Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence.This conversation dives into the growing conversation around Green AI — the movement to make artificial intelligence more energy-efficient, transparent, and aligned with climate goals. Together, they explore the hidden environmental costs of AI, the race to build bigger models, and the groundbreaking work of projects like DeepSeek.In this episode, you will gain insights on:Why AI training, not usage, is the real energy burden.How data centers and model scaling threaten climate targets.What DeepSeek tells us about efficient AI design.How incentives need to shift to prioritize sustainability in tech.Whether a truly “green AI” future is even realistic.Powered by Podeo — Listen to this episode