• Chairman: Khaled Bushnaq
• Vice Chairman: Mohammad Jebreel
• 2^nd Vice Chair and Treasurer: Habiba Al Marashi
• Secretary: Tushant Suri

During COP28, the Emirates Green Building Council orchestrated a series of enriching engagements, fostering vibrant dialogues and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Our presence was marked by diverse contributions, including thought-provoking panel discussions, insightful roundtables, impactful presentations, and interactive workshops. These events not only showcased our commitment to sustainability but also served as platforms for critical discussions on climate action, sustainable practices, and environmental responsibility. From co-organizing panel discussions to leading workshops, the council’s active participation resonated deeply, offering invaluable insights and fostering collaborations towards a more sustainable future

A notable acknowledgment to our sponsors – Accuracy, KEO International Consultants, Meinhardt MENA, Desert Board, Readymix Gulf – Lafarge (a Holcim member), Cundall, and SkyTech Engineering – whose pivotal support facilitated these initiatives. Esteemed panelists and speakers from diverse sectors, education, and government enriched our discussions with expertise. The Slovenian Pavilion and Dar Al Handasahs’ warm hospitality and steadfast support were pivotal behind the scenes

Considered the epitome of the EmiratesGBC engagements at COP28, on December the 6th, the EmiratesGBC, alongside the UN High Level
Climate Champions, represented by HE Razan Al Mubarak, in partnership with HSBC, proudly launched the preview of the UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint.
The Blueprint was endorsed by Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, and it represents a culmination of 6 months of efforts by a core
working group of leading developers and finance institutions, committed to the transition of the built environment sector in the UAE. The aim of the blueprint is to map the challenges faced by local developers and find
the key enablers to unlocking greater climate action. The launch featured a panel discussion that involved HE Razan Al Mubarak, as well as senior leadership from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

EmiratesGBC and RCREEE Seal Collaboration to Launch PA-CEMP in UAE! A significant milestone emerged during #COP28 as Emirates Green Building Council and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) inked a monumental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 8th, 2023. This partnership unveiled the Pan Arab Certified Energy Management Professional Program (PA-CEMP), a specialized certification curated for Energy Managers in the Arab region. Dr. Ali Al Jassim, and Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Executive Director of RCREEE, spearheaded this groundbreaking initiative. This partnership, developed in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity, aligns with COP28’s consensus to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030. EmiratesGBC is committed to fostering capacity-building efforts by spearheading this program in the UAE, in close coordination with RCREEE

Kenya Green Building Society Leads Dynamic COP28 Panel on Green Cities in Africa! The insightful panel titled ‘The Just Transition: How Stakeholders Can Support the Path to Green, Resilient, and Low-Carbon Cities in Africa’ was a significant highlight during COP28. Our esteemed director, Abdullatif Albitawi, contributed as a panelist, offering valuable insights into sustainable urban development and the crucial role of stakeholders in fostering resilient, low-carbon cities across Africa. The panel, organized by the Kenya Green Building Society, navigated discussions on just transitions toward sustainability, aligning with our commitment to advancing green initiatives in the region.

In this enlightening panel discussion, Emirates Green Building Council, among other esteemed panelists, contributed valuable insights alongside students and subject matter experts. Together, they envisioned the cities of tomorrow and deliberated on sustainable pathways to achieve this future. The discourse candidly addressed the challenges inherent in shaping future cities, emphasizing the critical need for a just transition with social equity. Furthermore, the panel highlighted the essential skills required for today’s students, underscoring the pivotal role education plays in nurturing the architects of tomorrow’s sustainable urban landscapes.

Date: 16 – 18 April, 2024

Venue: ADNEC, Abu Dhabi

World leading business event for future energy and sustainability

Hosted by Masdar, the Summit is regarded as the foremost event of its kind. An accelerator for the global transition to clean energy, this is where the industry comes together. A convention of leaders, policy makers, investment incubators, corporate partners and world-class start-ups, all working towards a greener tomorrow. Bringing together sectors from across the renewable energy & sustainability landscape, (Solar, Clean Energy, EcoWaste, Water, Climate & Environment, Smart Cities) World Future Energy Summit tackling some of the world’s most critical issues. works closely with both public and private sector entities and leading experts to ensure the exhibitions and conferences are not only relevant for today, but also enabling a more sustainable future for our planet. Carefully selected, the summit segments showcase the latest technologies, products, solutions & insights providing value for all our attendees.

On the 19th of January, the EmiratesGBC Women Network will have a a workshop  for women at EmiratesGBC building.

In this workshop, the Women’s Network of EmiratesGBC leads by articulating their expectations. Members use post-it notes to share individual thoughts on what they desire from EmiratesGBC. Collaboratively, they categorize these ideas into key themes, visually displaying collective priorities. Group discussions delve deeper into these themes, encouraging active participation and valuing every member’s input. The session ends with a reflection, empowering the Women’s Network to create an action plan based on their insights and aspirations.

Reminder: Female Members of EmiratesGBC are automatically members of its Women Network! Send an email to lana.isam@emiratesgbc.org to be added to the WN mailing list.

EmiratesGBC 1st Technical Workshop for members by members will be on Green Walls By SkyTech Engineering. Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in online format, on the 12th of January, at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will be sending out the invites soon!

Collaborative Panel Discussion: Unveiled the Key Role of Technology, Innovative Materials, and Policy in Achieving Net-Zero Targets!

In a compelling session co-hosted with Accuracy, the spotlight was on the pivotal impact of cutting-edge technologies, inventive materials, and progressive policies in attaining net-zero objectives. The engaging discussions emphasized the collective dedication of the panel towards propelling the industry to a sustainable future, setting the stage for eco-friendly norms and practices

Insightful Panel Discussion: ‘Digitization Driving Building Sector Transition to Net Zero’ held at the Slovenian Pavilion. Sponsored by KEO International Consultants and Meinhardt MENA, the session explored the impact of digitalization in accelerating decarbonization. Examining its current influence, growth prospects, and future potential, the event encompassed diverse perspectives from both private and governmental sectors

An insightful panel discussion took place at the Slovenian Pavilion, focusing on ‘Sustainability at the Crossroads: Retrofitting Challenges and Opportunities in the UAE.’ Sponsored by Cundall and SkyTech Engineering, the session was an exploration into the vital realm of sustainable retrofitting. The discussion delved into the challenges, revealing opportunities and the transformative potential that retrofitting holds for the UAE..

During the opening day of COP28, the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools led an insightful session titled “Beyond Classroom Walls, Unlocking the Potential of Outdoor School Spaces.” This event, held nearly two years after the launch of the coalition, aimed to delve into optimizing outdoor school spaces to benefit child well-being and environmental conservation. The discussion revolved around seamlessly integrating environmental education into the curriculum, aligning with the coalition’s mission to ensure every child in the UAE experiences education in a green school during their lifetime.

In collaboration with Emirates NBD, the event spotlighted an enriching conversation led by Abdullatif Albitawi, Director at Emirates Green Building Council. The panel delved into the vital influence of green finance on shaping a sustainable built environment. Exploring contemporary trends, sector challenges, and pathways toward enhanced accessibility, the discussions offered valuable insights into the evolving landscape of sustainable finance.

Empowering Discussions at the Women Network Panels! The session, ‘Breaking Ground: Women Pioneering Sustainability in Diverse Fields,’ brought together insightful perspectives on sustainability in water, waste, materials, energy, technology and finance for the green built future. Highlighting the pivotal role of women in shaping a sustainable future, the event showcased a powerful discourse led by industry experts

Youth Voices Amplified in the Panel Discussion! Titled ‘Emerging Voices: Youth Perspectives on Climate Challenges,in Education and Profession for the Green Built Frontier’ the session highlighted the significant role of young minds in addressing climate challenges within education and professions for a sustainable future. The event provided a platform for insightful discussions on climate awareness and mitigation strategies led by emerging voices.

Empowering Youth and Communities: MENA Green School Initiative Workshop Recap! The engaging session held at COP28, titled ‘Empowering Youth and Communities for a Sustainable Future,’ showcased an inspiring journey towards sustainability. The workshop featured student participation in activities like the passively cooled house, discussions on Mission Zero by Uhibbook Publishing, and an enlightening tour of Expo Farm’s sustainability initiatives.

EmiratesGBC 1st Technical Workshop for members by members will be on Green Walls By SkyTech Engineering . Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in online format , on the 12th of January, at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will be sending out the invites soon!

The Green Key programme is a leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. It is operated internationally under the management of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with Head Offices in Copenhagen, Denmark. FEE has national member organisations in more than 70 countries worldwide where Emirates Green Building Council is the national operator in the United Arab Emirates.

There is no rest for sustainable operations within hotels in the UAE. We are pleased to mention that we have —- newly certified hotels:

• Pullman Dubai Downtown

We want to feature your success stories. Please share with us your accomplishments in relation to the green building industry and allow us to feature you in our newsletter. For more information, please contact reema.aburuqaa@emiratesgbc.org.

Ms. Habiba Al Marashi

• Beyond your professional role, tell us a bit about yourself. What drives and inspires you personally? Whether it’s hobbies, interests, or values, we’d love to learn more about the person behind the professional achievements

Values are very important to me, and drive me both in my personal life and professionally. I imbibed an affinity with Nature very early on, influenced by my late father’s religious teachings and spiritual discourses. As you know, the Holy Qur’an stresses on respect for and stewardship of nature and all its creatures. Though we lost him when I was relatively young, his words remain with me and the values he instilled continue to drive my thoughts and actions.

In my adult life, I deeply admired and have been inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of the Nation. His vision of a green and sustainable UAE was very powerful and has motivated generations, and for me it was a logical outcome to be drawn to it. So, somewhere and fortunately, my interests and my work converged instead of colliding. My hobby is gardening, and I run a tree planting programme for the entire UAE through one of my organisations. Other than that, I enjoy the company of family and friends, in particular, now of my grandchildren who are a source of immense happiness for me.

• Can you share a brief overview of your career journey in the field of sustainability? What achievements or projects are you most proud of in advancing sustainable practices?

As I explained earlier, I was more inclined to pursue a career in sustainability than the government job I had been holding. I was already a founding member and Chairperson of an environmental organisation, and I was not willing to give this baby away. So I decided to quit the government job after 17 years of dedicated service and concentrate fully on EEG. Much to the consternation of friends and family, I gave up a lucrative and stable career in the government. There was no stopping after that. I founded the Arabia CSR Network in 2004, that focussed purely on corporate sustainability. All projects of the EEG are unique, be it the recycling campaigns, environmentally themed research and public speaking competitions, drawing competitions, mass nation-wide clean up drives or planting projects. They are all very dear to me. Within ACSRN, the Arabia CSR Awards have come to be known as the most rigorous and credible awards in the Arab Region on CSR and Sustainability, and are also acknowledged world wide. The Arabia CSR Forum is another successful project that I am proud of. The trainings and workshops that are conducted by ACSRN are of the highest quality, based on international standards and best practices. Through all of these, we have managed to engage different sectors of the society in environment action and sustainable practices. In 2006 I co-founded the EmiratesGBC, the 1^st in the Arab Region and amongst the handful around the world. Each achievement in any of these entities makes me very proud.

• As a woman in the sustainability sector, have you faced any specific challenges, and how did you overcome them? On the flip side, what triumphs or successes have been particularly meaningful in your career?

If I look back at challenges related to working in the sustainability sector, I would say there have been many. However, I can’t really give a gender oriented or “engendered”  explanation here. The challenges would have been the same for all who worked in the sector. First, it was a little known concept when our CSR network was formed. Knowledge was limited, practices were preliminary in nature in most cases, and actual good practice was few and far between. Since philanthropy and charitable engagement was very common and widely practised, it needed a great deal of knowledge, capacity building and changing of mind-sets to guide organisations beyond it and into other elements of CSR and sustainability.

Financial pressures was also a source of constant challenge. Finding the right people and attracting talent therefore was a difficult thing. There are success stories every step of the way, as all these organisations are unique, and have many “first”s to their credit. I have been privileged in being offered strong roles in many federal, local, regional and international initiatives and platforms, many of which were the “first” from the region, in terms of gender or background. However, I know there is much to be achieved, and I do not have the inclination to rest on my laurels.

• How do you see your role contributing to the broader goals of sustainability? Additionally, what advice would you offer to other women aspiring to make a difference in the field of sustainability?

I see myself as an educator, facilitator, mobiliser and collaborator. I am a bit of everything, and I am also an advocate and campaigner. I have fought for sustainable development for decades, much before it became fashionable  or a “must have”. I would like to believe that I have contributed to the journeys of many individuals and institutions towards sustainability.

My advice to women would be to utilise the two power dimensions that are within their grasp, – as the decision maker at home and as a responsible professional at work, to educate, motivate, inspire and lead others to adopt principles and practices of sustainability. For the women of today, opportunities are plentiful to carve out a meaningful role for themselves and leave a legacy for the future. The sky is really the limit, if you truly wish to reach higher and higher.

Members of the Emirates Green Building Council can join any of our technical programs linked here, to advance their knowledge on the program’s relevant topics, contribute to its growth, and sponsor its events. We are working on several ideas related to our programs: Coalition for Green Schools, Better Places for People, Net Zero Center of Excellence, Energy Efficiency, Green Key and Benchmarking Program. Please send us an email to office@emiratesgbc.org to inquire about any of the mentioned technical programs.

If you are interested in using EmiratesGBC office space for a workshop or meeting, please get in touch with us at 04-3468244 or send us an email to office@emiratesgbc.org. The room is fully equipped with AV and provides a nice environment for focused meetings or training workshops.