The 5th GPCA Responsible Care Conference will assess how digital transformation and compliance technologies can work together to streamline and complement EHS&S reporting processes and harmonize practices.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), by 2030 cumulative investments in the energy transition must amount to $44 trillion, with transition technologies representing $35 trillion. However, investment in technology alone will not be enough to achieve net-zero in the next decade.
Government and industry would need to work together to make technologies more affordable and improve transparency and accountability in the path to lowering emissions, said GPCA (Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association) announcing the conference in Bahrain for the first time from September 5 to 7.
Inauguration
The conference will be inaugurated by Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, President of Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), Bahrain and Chairman, GPIC, who will address the audience on the main day of the event on September 6.
Held under the theme “Shaping A Sustainable Future with Innovation Solutions”, the conference will begin with opening remarks by Abdel Hadi Al Suhaimi, Advisor, Board’s Executive Committee, S-Chem and Chairman, Responsible Care Committee, GPCA, followed by welcome remarks by Eng Yasser Abdulrahim Alabbasi, CEO, GPIC.
Setting the tone for the last day of the event, Khalid Al Alyani, EHS VP, Sabic and Vice-Chairman, Responsible Care Committee, GPCA, will present the opening remarks. He will be followed by a must-attend session focused on the Human Factors and featuring Diane Jones, Former Human Performance Director, BP, and Adnan A. AlMahmood, Deputy CEO, Support, GPIC.
Other speakers
•Dr Fahad Al Sherehi, VP, Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management, SABIC
•Ayoub Al Ghamdi, Development of Growth Projects, Saudi Investment Group
•Hamad Al Rashidi, President, Ma’aden
•Charlotte Dreizen, Director, Sustainability and Environment, Plastics Industry Association
•Mitchell Toomey, VP, Sustainability and Responsible Care, American Chemistry Council (ACC)
•Jeffrey Kovacs, Responsible Care Leadership Group Chairman, International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
•Maryam Telmesani, Board Chair, Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia
•Mais Haddadin Finn, Global Sustainability Lead, NexantECA
Contractor Safety Workshop
Delegates will benefit from a special Contractor Safety Workshop on the morning of September 5, as well as a workshop on EHS&S digitalization in the afternoon, featuring esteemed industry experts who will provide practical insight into contractor safety and how technology can raise the bar in EHS&S.
The finalists in the inaugural GPCA ‘Carbon Neutral Cup’, a student competition, will present their shortlisted projects, while winners will be announced during a special awards ceremony as part of the welcome dinner.
The conference will also host the 3rd GPCA Responsible Care Excellence Award with winners being announced during a recognition ceremony at the gala dinner on 6 September. The Award is widely recognized as the benchmark to celebrate excellence in EHS&S practices within the chemical industry.
Outstanding individuals
It serves as a platform to honour outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation, and results in promoting a safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible approach to their operations.
Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “The role of innovation and technology adoption will be essential in the industry’s journey towards decarbonization and raising Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) standards across the region. We set out on this journey over a decade ago, with the adoption of the Responsible Care program in the Arabian Gulf, and ever since then we have witnessed a tremendous transformation in the industry’s EHS&S performance.
“We are pleased to welcome the chemical industry for the first time in Bahrain to share lessons learned and look towards the future as the industry works towards reducing its impact on the environment and contributing to the fight against climate change. Investing in renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in production processes, and developing and implementing new technologies in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are just some of the pathways producers can adopt to drive down and capture CO2 emissions.
“At the conference, industry experts will discuss the latest innovative solutions available to shape a more sustainable future, and provide a platform for young scientists and academia to participate in safeguarding the future of our planet.”
