Dubai, UAE; September 28, 2011: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an organisation aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, hosted a networking event on ‘Paints and Building Sustainability’ aimed at promoting best sustainable practices in the construction sector of the country.

Sponsored by Jotun Paints, a key corporate member of EmiratesGBC, the event brought together professionals from across the whole building industry supply chain. The focus of the event was to encourage participants to look beyond conventional choices and strengthen their knowledge levels on sustainable building materials including paints.

Adnan Sharafi, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “Paints and coatings play an important role in protecting assets from deterioration during its service life. Besides protecting the assets, they also provide an aesthetic appearance. This role is further emphasised in the green buildings by using paints with special qualities that help reduce energy consumption, mitigate health, safety and environmental risks to its users and the general environment.”

The networking event featured a keynote address by Bent Haflan, Group Vice President R&D – Decorative, Jotun A/S, who then joined Adnan Sharafi, Emirates GBC Chairman; Tyrone Lawson, Sustainability Technical Director, WSP Group; and Samuel Kheen, Environmental and Sustainability Manager, EMS, for a panel discussion. .

The discussion centred on the achievements in the UAE in terms of green building development, the challenges faced by the region and the new advances that can contribute effectively to sustainability enhance on-ground and environmental efficiencies.

In addition to networking events for members and non-members held monthly, EmiratesGBC 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. Recently, EmiratesGBC opened its new office in Al Joud Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

Emirates GBC welcomes individuals and corporates dedicated to sustainable solutions and practices.  Members in the Council can partake in networking events and comprehensive programmes led by industry leaders, among other benefits.
To register as a member, please visit https://www.emiratesgbc.org/egbc/becomemember.htm.

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Photo Caption
A view of the ‘Paints and Building Sustainability’ networking event organised by Emirates Green Building Council.

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 organization 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. 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 those related to conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

For further information, please contact:
Mohammed Al Tawil / Sheila Baldago
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507600

m.altawil@asdaa.com /  s.baldago@asdaa.com