WEP 2026 Adaptation: Navigating Economic and Climate Tradeoffs towards a Just Energy Transition

Keynote speaker Manal Shehabi Senior Research Fellow- Oxford University The future we face is dynamic and uncertain. Climate events, health crises, and economic shocks are no longer rare—they are constant. Yet, in times of disruption, innovation emerges. WEP 2026 will highlight individuals and ideas redefining how we live, learn, and thrive in a world of continuous change. From cutting-edge technologies to nature-based solutions, we will explore the bold and brilliant ways people are preparing for an unpredictable tomorrow. WEP 2026 is chaired by Deanna Lacoste, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Program at KAUST, and co-chaired by Atif Shamim, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program at KAUST.