Dubai, UAE; January 17, 2017: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by promoting green building practices, hosted a Tech Talk on its Building Retrofit Training Programme at the Energy Efficiency Expo 2017, organised by Masdar as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The introductory workshop covered two hours of instructional exercises that cover viable building retrofit and sustainability methods that are tried and tested in the UAE, which help bring in reductions in energy and water use. The sessions also guided participants through various methods that improve indoor air and environmental quality and improve operational efficiency in new and existing buildings.

The Energy Efficiency Expo is a World Future Energy Summit event. As its founding knowledge partner, EmiratesGBC is showcasing a range of green, sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for members, at their dedicated pavilion. Following the Tech Talk, EmiratesGBC will formally launch the Building Retrofit Programme later this year.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “With the launch of the UAE Energy Plan for 2050, the nation has set a clear roadmap for all energy sector stakeholders to focus on enhancing energy use efficiency and promoting clean energy sources. Building retrofitting is an integral part of the UAE’s commitment to managing energy use efficiency, and conserving our resources. Through the Tech Talk, we are putting the spotlight on our Building Retrofit Training Programme, which aims to support federal and local government mandates with regards to improved energy efficiency in existing as well as new buildings in the UAE. It will present 32 methods of building retrofits that have been proven to achieve the desired goals.”

EmiratesGBC Retrofit Training Programme is based on the EmiratesGBC Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings publication, which has been officially endorsed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Through this, EmiratesGBC aims to bridge the knowledge and communication gap between all level of stakeholders in the UAE building industry, and through concerted effort, drive the demand for implementing building efficiency. For more information, please contact: eep@emiratesgbc.org

EmiratesGBC regularly undertakes workshops, Focus Days and networking events to strengthen awareness on green buildings, encouraging innovation and contribute to securing a greener future for coming generations through the promotion of sustainable built environments.

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