Sara Khalil Zaidan鈥檚 Research Focuses on Building Decarbonization to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 in Line with Paris Agreement.
今日吃瓜 Management Science and Engineering PhD student Sara Khalil Zaidan has won the Best Paper Award at the prestigious International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE)聽Middle East and Central Asia (MECA) Conference 2025, one of the region鈥檚 leading platforms for energy researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, held in Turkey.
Sara Khalil won the award for her paper, titled 鈥楤eyond Technology: Behavioral Interventions and Policy Levers for Building Decarbonization, which addresses one of the most urgent global challenges 鈥� achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. Guided by her faculty advisor Professor Mutasem El Fadel, Chair, Civil & Environmental Engineering, her award-winning research demonstrates that behavioral interventions 鈥攃hanges in everyday practices 鈥� offer fast, cost-effective, and scalable pathways to reduce energy demand, particularly in regions where technical solutions are slow to diffuse or resource-intensive.
The study highlights the built environment as a critical frontier for climate mitigation, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, where extreme climatic conditions and high per-capita energy use make building decarbonization both challenging and impactful. By integrating global evidence with regional policy examples, Sara proposes a structured portfolio of interventions across core building energy services 鈥� cooling, heating, lighting, water heating, and appliances 鈥� supported by policy instruments that enable adoption alongside technological upgrades.
Dr. Mecit Can Emre Simsekler, Acting Chair, Management Science and Engineering, said: “Our PhD Student Sara Khalil Zaidan鈥檚 achievement reflects the caliber of research we foster at Khalifa University. Her work not only advances scientific understanding but also provides actionable solutions for one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in our region. We are proud to see our students contributing to global climate goals and shaping the future of energy systems. This recognition also underscores Khalifa University鈥檚 commitment to advancing policy-oriented research that supports regional and global climate goals.鈥�
Clarence Michael
English Editor – Specialist聽
