Emirates Green Building Council is excited to announce that applications for the MENA Green Building Awards 2024 are now open! These prestigious awards recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations in advancing sustainability in the built environment across the MENA region. With updated categories to reflect the latest trends and innovations in green building, this year’s awards promise to be bigger and better than ever before. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your projects and initiatives. The application deadline is July 15, 2024. Visit our website for more information on how to apply and become a part of this exciting event!

To sponsor our flagship Annual Mena Green building Awards click here!

Applications are welcomed via this link: MENA Green Building Awards

From 24-27 June 2024, the World Green Building Council’s Leadership Summit brought together the brightest minds in sustainable building, including representatives from various Green Building Councils and numerous global partners. The Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) was well-represented at this prestigious event, with our Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Director all in attendance. The summit provided a valuable platform for our leaders to engage with international experts, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to advance sustainability in the built environment. Our participation underscored EGBC’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and leading the way in green building initiatives.

Ms. Habeba Al Marashi, co-founder, treasurer, and vice chair of the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC), has been elected as Vice Chair of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC). This prestigious announcement took place at the World Green Building Council’s Leadership Summit 2024, held from June 24-27.

Ms. Al Marashi’s election to this prominent role is a testament to her unwavering dedication and significant contributions to promoting sustainable building practices both locally and globally. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving the green building movement in the UAE and beyond, and this new position will enable her to further influence and shape sustainable development policies and initiatives on a global scale.

The second edition of the RAK Energy Summit will be held under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Scheduled for 27 and 28 November 2024 at the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center in Ras Al Khaimah, this summit promises to be a premier gathering of international and regional experts and leaders from both the government and private sectors. Attendees will engage in insightful discussions on emerging trends and initiatives in sustainable energy, exploring innovative solutions to the pressing challenges in this field.

Emirates Green Building Council members will receive a 10% discount on attendance. Additionally, technology and solution providers from our community will enjoy a 10% discount for exhibiting or presenting a showcase at the event.

We will be sending out the invites soon!

In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, Future Sustainability Forum serves as a beacon of hope, uniting diverse perspectives and expertise to chart a path towards greener economies and a more resilient planet. Building on the highly successful launch last year, the 2nd edition of Future Sustainability Forum, organized by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), encapsulates UAE’s recent focus on accomplishing Net-Zero goals by 2050. The Forum brings together visionaries, innovators, and change-makers from across the globe to collaborate, inspire, and drive meaningful action towards a more sustainable future.

Under the theme “Shaping Greener Economies”, the Forum explores the intersection of sustainability, innovation, blended finance and collective action. From renewable energy and circular economy practices to climate resilience and social equity, conferences will delve into the multifaceted aspects of sustainability, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social well-being.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with Global Sustainability leaders at the 2nd Annual Future Sustainability Forum, happening on 4-5 December 2024 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

Let’s shape Greener economies together! 🌱

1. Want to Sponsor? https://bit.ly/45GmSv5
2. Book Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xkwfnu
3. Know More: https://bit.ly/3xte5Qr

The Urbanscapes Middle East Summit, held on 5 June 2024 at Radisson Red, Dubai Silicon Oasis, was a remarkable event focused on the theme, “Pioneering an Urban Sustainable Future Through Technology.” This theme aligned with the dynamic shifts in urban development, highlighting the crucial role of technology in creating sustainable and innovative urban spaces.

Our Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) Director participated in a fireside chat, where he emphasized the promotion of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly sustainable building practices within the construction sector.

The Engineering and Sustainability Summit (TESS) 2024 on 06th June 2024 at the Sheikh Saeed Hall 3, Dubai World Trade Centre: Director joined Executive Think Tank Panel: Engineering Excellence: Maximizing Revenue in Hospitality through Innovation. The session shined a spotlight on the pivotal role of engineering departments in driving revenue optimization within the hospitality industry.

The session underscored the importance of engineering in not only maintaining but also elevating the standards of hospitality services, demonstrating how sustainability and innovation can lead to significant financial and environmental benefits.

EmiratesGBC attended the UN Global Compact and Dubai Chamber’s Roundtable on “Leading Impact: Accelerating Private Sector Engagement for the Sustainable Development Goals” at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), focusing on Private Sector Progress on the SDGs in the UAE.

Reflecting on our participation under the HLPF theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises,” EmiratesGBC gained valuable insights into sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions. Engaging with industry leaders, we contributed primarily to discussions on SDG 13, emphasizing urgent climate action. The exchange of best practices and data-driven progress highlighted our collective achievements and identified areas for improvement. Notably, finance and regulations emerged as major enablers of progress.

EmiratesGBC Women Network, in collaboration with Kennedy Communication Studio ~ International, is excited to present an empowering training session: Mastering Sustainability Narratives with Impactful Presentations and Performance. In today’s world, sustainability is a key topic of global conversations, and the role of women in promoting a greener future is crucial. This groundbreaking initiative, led by Ms. Paddy Kennedy, aims to equip women in the corporate sector with the tools they need to become influential voices in the Green Building movement. Join us on July 3rd from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the EmiratesGBC Office in Al Qouz for an introductory workshop that will cover: an overview of the individual and corporate benefits from the training, details on content and duration of the training, initial results from the public speaking survey circulated amongst the women network, and expectations from the training.

The Emirates Green Building Council Congress was an enlightening two-day journey filled with insightful discussions and groundbreaking innovations. This event showcased our collective dedication to sustainability in the built environment, underscoring the progress we are making towards a greener future.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, speakers, and the incredible audience who contributed to making this event a resounding success.

Relive the highlights:

• Day 1 Highlights
• Day 2 Highlights

Continuing its collaborative efforts with the UNFCCC and the Developers Leading Forum, EmiratesGBC is dedicated to advancing the UAE Sustainable Built Environment Blueprint Report to maximize its impact and influence.

Members of EmiratesGBC and leaders in built environment sustainability convened for an extensive workshop led by Jamila Almir (Senior Advisor, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion,COP28, The Private Officeof H.E. Razan Al Mubarak) and Hassan Younes (Co — CEO & Founder at GRFN) to discuss further advancements to the report and explore upcoming opportunities.

The EmiratesGBC 6th Technical Workshop for members by members will be on ” The Role of District Cooling in Sustainable Energy Transition: Advantages, Challenges, and Decarbonization Efforts” By Emicool. The workshop will be held in-person, on the 26th of July , from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

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.

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.

Dionne Pereira

Senior Sustainability Consultant, Turner & Townsend

1. Who You Are:
   • 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. 
     • I strongly advocate for diversity and inclusion because I believe that it is essential for creating a culture of equity and creativity. I feel inspired through exploration of different cultures be it through travelling or conversations with people from diverse professional backgrounds in the industry. Being the D&I education lead in the office, I support students in gaining access to industry professionals with an aim to increase awareness at a young age. When I’m not at work I take brain breaks through baking and origami – I hope to integrate origami principles into sustainability to create innovative products in the future
2. Career Journey and Achievements:
   • 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?
     • My professional journey began as an Architect back in Kuwait and I worked extensively on luxury residential projects, while working on site teams I was always concerned about the avoidable waste that would be sent to landfill daily. This opened my eyes to several other aspects that could have been managed during the design stage which would reduce environmental impact. This led me to pursue a career in sustainability so I could support project teams and clients from understanding the importance of integrating sustainability from the briefing stage. Whilst I have worked on several mega projects in the region targeting third-party sustainability certification, the projects I am most proud of is where clients and project teams to go beyond the boundaries of guidebooks, assess their organisational footprint and seek to reduce their overall impact on the environment.
3. Challenges and Triumphs: 
   • 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? 
     • I think most women have faced gender-based bias from colleagues/clients at some point in their career. When working on project sites, I notice that I have to put in extra effort to make myself heard. To pull through this, I make sure I actively participate in all discussions and raise concerns openly on unacceptable behaviour. This of course is not an easy route to take as I am often labelled as ‘sensitive’ or ‘emotional’ for voicing concerns and often asked to develop a ‘thick skin’. I am extremely proud of having the courage to switch my career path by learning new skills, taking on new challenges, and stepping outside my comfort zone. In my current role, I feel I am making a greater impact in crating a better future for our planet and people.
4. Impact and Advice:
   • 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? 
     • In my current role I have the opportunity to integrate sustainability in new projects from the briefing stage as well as provide recommendations on how to improve operations performance. Through active discussions with project teams and facility managers across the region, I develop sustainability strategies aiming to reduce environmental impact throughout the project life cycle. We are all aware that there is a general lack of awareness and knowledge on sustainability across the region, we organise workshops internally with colleagues as well as externally with clients to close this gap. It’s great to see the growing interest in sustainability within the industry – my advise is to constantly update ourselves on new developments in the field with an aim to ultimately make sustainability a way of life!
     • Remember, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Every step counts, and every change adds up to make a positive impact on our planet!

Members of the Emirates Green Building Council can join in any of our technical programs with this link, 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.

Kindly send us an email to office@emiratesgbc.org to inquire about any of the mentioned technical programs.

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