EmiratesGBC is official supporter of UAE Green Festival

March 24, 2014| press release

Council board members to address Ecotourism and Greenovation conferences

being held as part of the month-long event

Dubai, UAE; March 24, 2014: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, is an official supporter of the UAE Green Festival, being held from March 16 to April 16, 2014, with a wide range of nation-wide activities.

EmiratesGBC Board Members Amelie Zegmout Campsey and Steve Pratt will present papers at the GCC Ecotourism and Greenovation conferences, respectively, that are held as part of UAE Green Festival Week.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The UAE Green Festival is a landmark initiative that highlights the commitment of the nation to promote an environment-friendly lifestyle. The various activities of the Festival not only reach out to the country’s residents but also to visitors. We are delighted to partner with the event which underlines the diverse opportunities and potential of green lifestyle choices. Adopting more environment-friendly choices will enable the nation to further reduce its carbon footprint and reiterate its thought leadership in promoting sustainable growth.”

Aimed at supporting the UAE’s vision of sustainability and promoting environment-friendly practices, the UAE Green Festival includes several activities such as Green Shopping, Green Art, Green Fitness, Eco-Breakfast, Eco-fashion and Green Auto. Several knowledge sharing sessions are also being held during the month-long event.

At the GCC Ecotourism Conference to be held from March 30 to 31 at Ramada Hotel, Ajman, Amelie Zegmout Campsey will discuss EmiratesGBC’s hospitality sector programme as well as the Green Key initiative. A non-governmental, non-profit and independent programme, Green Key is recognised by the World Tourism Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and is the largest global eco-label relating to accommodation.

A prestigious citation that underlines the environment-friendly energy, water and waste management commitment of hotels, serviced apartments and other accommodation facilities, Green Key is now regarded as a key consideration in promoting sustainable development.  EmiratesGBC is the national operator for the Green Key programme in the UAE.

The Head of Business Development at Legrand SNC FZE, Amelie has a passion for developing and promoting sustainable practices. With EmiratesGBC, she oversees the development of the hospitality programme.

Steve Pratt will present a paper on Bio-mimicry under the theme, ‘Using Nature as a Design Guide’ at the Greenovation Conference to be held from April 1 to 2 at Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai. He will examine some of nature’s approaches that mankind can harness and replicate to solve modern problems.

The Sales Director for Interface in the Middle East, Pratt is also the company’s sustainability ambassador, focused on educating clients about Interface’s sustainability mission. He recently completed his tenure as Secretary to the Board of EmiratesGBC.

In addition to its Board Members sharing their experience and knowledge on sustainable practices, EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. EmiratesGBC has also developed a suite of activities, inclusive of networking events, technical workshops, focus days and facilitated training based around specific issues related to the built-environment that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community, and the wider Middle East.

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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:

Kelly Home / Mohammed Al Tawil

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

+9714 4507600

kelly.home@bm.com / mohammed.altawil@bm.com