• Hosts three-day sustainability workshop centred on LEED training for Al Hosn Gas in Abu Dhabi and an Energy Saving seminar for Rotana Hotels Group in Dubai

Dubai, UAE; July 3, 2011: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an organisation aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, has expanded its education programme to facilitate customised seminars and workshops for corporate organisations to drive sustainable practices within their projects and operations.

The customised programmes, offered in conjunction with specialised institutes and academic organisations, serve as a perfect opportunity for businesses and organisations to draw on the expertise of EmiratesGBC, and align themselves to the green vision of the country by educating their employees on best practices.

With the seminars and workshops, EmiratesGBC has stepped up its activities to promote and encourage the concept of green development across the entire supply chain serving as a perfect complement to its vision of driving the development of sustainable built environments.

As part of the new initiative, EmiratesGBC is facilitating two key seminars – a focus on LEED® Training: Green Building Core Concepts for Al Hossn Gas professionals in Abu Dhabi through British University in Dubai (BUiD); and an Energy Saving Seminar for industry professionals of Rotana Hotels Group.

Adnan Sharafi, Chairman, EmiratesGBC, said: “To drive the concepts of sustainable built environments and strengthen the participation of corporate organisations in achieving the goals of a greener UAE, it is important to raise awareness and encourage a more active engagement from industry professionals within the whole supply chain. By facilitating industry-specific seminars that are customised to the work environment and needs of various industries, we are going the extra mile in promoting green building management initiatives. The seminars offer a great opportunity for all stakeholders across the supply chain to partner in the green initiatives of the country.”

The Energy Saving Seminar was led by Saeed Alabbar, Vice Chairman of EmiratesGBC and a LEED accredited professional of Alabbar Energy & Sustainability Group; and Errol Colaco, who is specialised in energy auditing, energy value engineering and sustainability; and Naim Awadallah, an energy audit expert – both of them from Energy Management Services, a  founding and board member of EmiratesGBC. The seminar provided an introduction to sustainability and energy saving issues related to the hospitality sector, introduced the concepts of sustainable building design, highlighted techniques for energy auditing and management in existing hotels and provided an overview of sustainability rating systems.
The three-day LEED ® Training: Green Building Core Concepts seminar was facilitated by EmiratesGBC for Al Hossn Gas professionals in Abu Dhabi through the British University in Dubai (BUiD). The course was led by Samuel Keehn, a LEED accredited professional and Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Energy Management Services.

It covered the various aspects of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green building rating tool developed by the US Green Building Council), with a focus on the rating system and its approach. The seminar discussed the application of the LEED rating system for new developments and explained how organisations can drive the move towards a greener, more sustainable built environment.

In addition to networking events for members and non-members held monthly, Emirates GBC, currently operating from its new office M-20 at Al Joud Center on Sheikh Zayed Road, has been hosting and participating in multinational events, conferences and forums since its inception in 2006.

The Council has developed a suite of activities including technical workshops, focus days and seminars and workshops on aspects related to the entire supply chain and green building concept that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community, and the wider Middle East.

Note to Editors

About Emirates Green Building Council:
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006. EmiratesGBC is an industry body that promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council.

The EmiratesGBC currently has around 260 members in the UAE which represents 1000s of individuals interested and involved in Green Building in the UAE and the region. In addition EmiratesGBC members receive discounts on a number of programmes such as related conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

For further information, please contact:
Mohammed Al Tawil / Sheila Baldago
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +9714 3344550
m.altawil@asdaa.com /  s.baldago@asdaa.com