Academy Changemakers: Driving SDG innovation, with Hiba Khan

Summary

In this inspiring Change Maker session, Hibba, a young female innovator in the field of civil engineering and sustainability, shares her journey in integrating the SDGs into her work. From her initial interest in problem-solving to becoming a leader in sustainable development, Hibba emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexity of global challenges and leveraging interconnected SDGs for impactful solutions. She highlights the value of entrepreneurship, the challenges in SDG innovation, and the power of youth leadership in driving change. Hibba’s perspective as a business leader is a call to action for young professionals to take charge and shape a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Engineers Without Borders played a significant role in inspiring Hibba to pursue engineering and sustainability innovation, highlighting the complexities and pitfalls of development work.
• 😀 The importance of sustainability in engineering projects was reinforced by Hibba's experience in Cambodia, where an NGO's intervention inadvertently worsened local water quality by undermining the local economy.
• 😀 The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges, with Hibba integrating them into her work at McDonald to enhance project decision-making and outcomes.
• 😀 Hibba's role at McDonald involves using SDGs as a shared language to connect projects across different sectors, such as education in Uganda and water treatment in Bangladesh, facilitating knowledge exchange.
• 😀 The interconnectedness of the SDGs means that focusing on one goal can either positively or negatively impact others, necessitating careful management and education to ensure overall sustainability.
• 😀 The integration of SDGs into projects at McDonald has influenced decision-making, with the company identifying key areas of growth and focus based on how projects align with the SDGs.
• 😀 Innovation in irrigation projects has highlighted the complexity of balancing economic benefits with environmental impacts, requiring solutions like farmers' field schools to mitigate negative effects such as increased emissions and fertilizer use.
• 😀 The complexity and interconnectedness of the SDGs present challenges in their practical application, as people tend to focus on individual goals without considering their broader implications.
• 😀 The development of an AI-based tool at McDonald aims to make SDGs more tangible and accessible, helping to identify mismatches between strategy documents and project goals, fostering better alignment and action.
• 😀 Hibba emphasizes the importance of young leaders having a seat at the table in sustainability initiatives, advocating for quotas and reduced experience requirements to give younger professionals more opportunities to contribute.

Q & A

What inspired Hibba to pursue a career in engineering and sustainability innovation?

Hibba initially studied Physics at university but found it lacking in practical problem-solving. She then came across a poster about engineers at Borders, which sparked her interest. Her desire to help people and engage in practical problem-solving led her to switch to engineering. She also became involved with Engineers Without Borders, where she learned about the pitfalls of development work, which aligned with her growing interest in sustainable development.

What real-world experience influenced Hibba's understanding of sustainability in engineering projects?

Hibba's trip to Cambodia with Engineers Without Borders exposed her to a case where an NGO, by providing free water filters, unintentionally harmed the local economy and water quality. This experience highlighted the importance of sustainability and understanding the political and economic systems in the regions where projects are implemented.

How does Hibba integrate the SDGs into her role at McDonald?

As a sustainability lead for McDonald’s International Development team, Hibba uses the SDGs as a language to link different projects. She finds connections between seemingly unrelated projects, such as an education project in Uganda and a water treatment project in Bangladesh, by mapping them against the SDGs. This helps share best practices and drive sustainable development.

What challenges does Hibba face in integrating the SDGs into business decision-making?

One of the main challenges is the complexity and interconnectedness of the SDGs. While working on one SDG, it may inadvertently affect others, either positively or negatively. To manage this, Hibba stresses the importance of education and systemic thinking, ensuring that projects are carefully aligned with the SDGs to prevent unintended consequences.

How does McDonald ensure its projects align with the SDGs?

McDonald has tagged all its projects against the SDGs, which helps identify where the company is making the most impact and where resources should be directed. This also informs recruitment strategies and the types of projects the company should pursue to align with sustainable development.

Can you give an example of a project where SDG integration had both positive and negative impacts?

Hibba mentions irrigation projects as an example. These projects rehabilitate infrastructure, help farmers earn a better income, and improve food security. However, the downside is that increased income leads to higher emissions from home improvements and more fertilizer use, which can cause pollution. Education and carbon sequestration measures are critical to ensuring the overall impact remains positive.

What are some of the biggest challenges in SDG integration and innovation?

The complexity of the SDGs is a significant challenge, as they are interconnected and touch upon various aspects of development. Many people treat the SDGs as isolated targets or tick-box exercises, which leads to a loss of their complexity. Real systems change is needed, but no one can change the system alone, which makes it a collective effort.

What was the AI-based tool that Hibba worked on, and how does it help in SDG integration?

The AI-based tool developed by Hibba's team helps in identifying and comparing which SDGs and targets are included in strategic documents. It processes large amounts of data, such as strategy documents, and compares them with ongoing projects to identify mismatches. This tool makes SDGs more tangible and easier to use in decision-making, ensuring that opportunities are not missed.

How has Hibba’s position as a young leader impacted her ability to drive change?

As a young leader, Hibba faced challenges in getting her voice heard, such as struggling to find roles that didn’t require more experience. However, her youth also provided advantages, such as being cost-effective and having more time. She leveraged her position by creating a network of young sustainability professionals, which helped her gain visibility and eventually secure a leadership role.

What advice does Hibba give to other young professionals who want to make an impact?

Hibba advises young professionals to 'build your own table' if you're not given a seat at one. By creating your own opportunities and demonstrating value, you'll either secure a place at the table or find your own path to success. She emphasizes the importance of passion and urgency, especially in sustainability, as these qualities are valuable in leadership roles.