InSinkErator was honoured for its contribution to UAE State of Energy Report 2015 by the Minister of Energy, His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei. InSinkErator’s article in the report, ‘Feed a Disposer…Starve a Landfill’ outlined a Life Cycle Assessment case study of a community using the InSinkErator to divert waste from the landfill. You can read and download the report here.

EmiratesGBC is pleased to invite you to our Hospitality Program Seminar on Sunday May 3^rd, prior to Arabian Travel Market taking place in Dubai on 4-7 May. The 2 hour seminar will address how current challenges and trends are shaping our approach to achieving sustainability within the hospitality industry before moving on to explore what the future holds for the sector in the UAE. Date and time: Monday May 3^rd, 2015 , 9-11 am (registration opens at 8:30).  Please RSVP.

2015 EGBC Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner  – May 13th, 2015 Join us at the Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai on the evening of 13 May to find out who will take home the ten coveted 2015 EGBC Awards. A number of applications were received for each Awards category, and we are excited to recognize some of the organizations who are leading the regional green building movement.  Learn about the winning strategies and what projects, technologies and initiatives showcase the UAE’s green journey. Register online to reserve a seat or a table for your organization, and contact us for more details. A big thank you to the 2015 Awards sponsors – Platinum: Jotun Paints; Silver: Brookfield Multiplex, BK Gulf, Caparol.

On April 14^th, EmiratesGBC members and partners convened to discuss the challenges in ensuring safety, quality, performance, and uniformity in insulation materials used for construction projects. The discussion was helpful in developing an upcoming ADQCC product certification scheme for specific insulation materials. EmiratesGBC hosts monthly Technical Workshops to discuss specific topics that are relevant and beneficial to the green building industry. Stay tuned for notification for the upcoming May Technical Workshop.  Announcements will be made shortly. Please note that participation is exclusive for EmiratesGBC members and partners.

In the last week of May we will spend a half day in the midst of leading industry energy efficiency experts exploring how we can make existing buildings more efficient. The not to be missed Focus Day will highlight a local case study, a discussion on the future of retrofitting and look at what educational and professional requirements will be in high demand in the market in  coming years. Thank you to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry for hosting this event. Register today.

On 20 April, EmiratesGBC and MEFMA organized a joint networking event in Abu Dhabi, asking the participants to discuss whether the green building industry suffers from the lack of Facility Management (FM) in the country. Starting his presentation by mentioning that a “green building” cannot be sustainable if it is not well operated, Alan Millin, FM Consultant, showed that the role of FM is generally disregarded in local regulations and international rating systems.  Moderated by Ali Al Suwaidi, MEFMA Board Member, esteemed panelists Sara Momtaz of Khidmah and Yousef Al Rousan of Advanced Facilities Management  also discussed the need and means to integrate FM within the project’s early phases, while attendees stressed the need to educate the authorities to integrate FM in the standards and processes, and to raise awareness among owners, Special thanks to Advanced Facilities Management for sponsorship of the event. As part of the strategic partnership between both organizations, the next EmiratesGBC-MEFMA Networking event will take place in Dubai on September 16th, news on program and location will come at a later stage.

The EmiratesGBC Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings is a comprehensive set of instructions intended to serve as a guide for UAE industry professionals, building owners, operators and end-users. The Technical Guidelines highlight how current processes, technologies, and local and regional standards can facilitate efficient retrofit projects in the UAE. The technical content of the Guidelines have been reviewed by EmiratesGBC Corporate Member Consultants, WSP ME, and the scheduled printing date for this important publication has been set for mid-May 2015.  Having already received a strong positive response from government and industry, we anticipate wide distribution and implementation of this important set of guidelines. EmiratesGBC is currently inviting industry members and energy efficiency stakeholders the opportunity to sponsor the Technical Guidelines and promote the energy efficiency market in the UAE. To view the sponsorship package, please click here and/or contact Hussam Eddin A big thank you to the sponsors who have already committed their support: Griffin Project Development Consultants, MAPEI, Wacker Chemicals, and WSP Middle East Ltd.

The EGBC Energy Efficiency Program is going full speed, and we invite our Members to take part and submit their qualifications using the online platform. This program offers members an opportunity for greater exposure within the energy industry and allows EmiratesGBC to facilitate and encourage building retrofits for greater efficiency.  Contact Tara Tariq for more information.

Over the past years and throughout its activities and events, EmiratesGBC has positioned itself and its members as a key stakeholders to green the hospitality sector. To further progress and establish  a stronger imprint through training, communications and benchmarking, EmiratesGBC members are invited to join the Hospitality Program taskforce or sign up as Green Key auditors by contacting Marie Westholm-Knebel.

The 4th Annual EGBC Congress will be held on October  20-21 2015 under the theme “How do Green Buildings Scale up?” The EGBC Congress will provide a platform to discuss the opportunities & challenges related to the role of cities & regions in catalyzing, facilitating & stimulating sustainable innovation, products, services, technologies & new business models. The Congress will focus on invited & refereed papers from academics, government bodies, consultants, entrepreneurs, technology providers, designers, and sustainability directors as well as other business functions. We invite you to be a strategic supporter to the 4th Annual EGBC Congress. For sponsorship interest, you may contact Hussam Eddin or call us on 043468244.

EmiratesGBC offers a series of professional training programs in partnership with British University in Dubai (BUiD).  Our three upcoming LEED trainings are ideal for professionals who will go on to take the credential exam. On May 15-16, the two day LEED Accredited Professional (Operations + Maintenance) course focuses on implementing sustainable practices, improving performance, heightening efficiency and reducing environmental impact in existing buildings through enhanced operations and maintenance. We are pleased to announce a new LEED AP specialty training: Neighbourhood Design. For professionals participating in the planning, design and development of walkable neighborhoods and communities, this course helps participants understand and prepare for the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam. Join us on May 29-30 for the two day LEED AP ND Exam Preparatory Course. Also on the calendar for this quarter is the Certified Energy Manager training, which will be held June 7-10 in Abu Dhabi.  The CEM qualification is aimed toward engineers and architects working in the areas of energy engineering or energy management. For more information and to register for upcoming courses, please contact us.

EmiratesGBC has various events mapped out for the year for which we would like to invite our corporate members and other contributors from the industry to extend support through sponsorship opportunities. From the 2-hour Networking Events to half day Focus Days, these educational and informative events provide a platform for various stakeholders to share knowledge and contribute to positive change in the green building industry. Click here to view the 2015 EmiratesGBC events calendar. A number of the upcoming events will closely support the objectives of the EmiratesGBC Energy Efficiency Program and Hospitality Program and will build important dialogue in these key sectors.  Please contact us if you are interested to sponsor an upcoming EmiratesGBC event or if you would like to suggest event topics.

The inaugural Eco-Smart Home Show, presented by Al Ain Distribution Company, is taking place in Al Ain from May 7-9th at the Al Ain Convention Center. The show aims to provide residents of Al Ain with advice on more sustainable lifestyle changes. The event will showcase the latest products to help make homes more energy-efficient in order to reduce water and electricity consumption, to help minimise future AADC utilities bills and achieve long-term savings. Find out more here. EmiratesGBC will be supporting Smart Skyscrapers, taking place in Dubai from May 11-12^th.  Held under the patronage of the Dubai Municipality, the 2-day event is focused on building sustainable skyscrapers in Dubai and will showcase innovative sustainable building technologies, design principles and solutions for high-rise green buildings from around the world. Our Chairman, Saeed Al Abbar will also be participating as a speaker. EmiratesGBC members can avail a 15% discount by contacting the organizers. From May 18-20, EmiratesGBC will be exhibiting at FM EXPO taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  The exhibition will bring together building owners, occupiers, FM companies, and suppliers alike, to help the FM industry generate new business and promote regional awareness. Running concurrently, Middle East Waste & Recycling will deliver waste management and recycling solutions to the region, providing a platform for manufacturers and suppliers to reach decision makers in the waste and recycling sector. On May 24th, EmiratesGBC will be participating in the 2015 Energy Efficiency & Energy Management seminar at Habtoor Grand Beach Resort. The seminar will delve into the energy efficiency and management challenges in retail and hospitality sectors in the context of Expo 2020. Sarfraz Dairkee, EmiratesGBC Board Member, will participate in the Hospitality Panel and the Council will also be exhibiting. Register to attend here.

As a member-driven organization, Emirates Green Building Council is proud of what its members achieve in the green building sector. We invite you to share with us your success stories, case studies, awards and prizes, and we’ll be happy to place a mention in our monthly newsletter or on our website where appropriate. By sharing your achievements and best practices, you will be contributing to the industry’s knowledge pool and thereby helping further the green building movement.  Contact us to share your successes.

Emirates Green Building Council’s presence in trade magazines and national newspapers is continuously growing. All change: sustainability faces fast-paced change Saeed Al Abbar discusses the requirements for sustainable changes to be implemented in the MEP industry, “Green building regulations, whether in the UAE or globally, set the ground for high standards that need to be fulfilled by all stakeholders,” Click here to read more. ATDD discusses ways to enhance green initiatives with EmiratesGBC During a meeting at EmiratesGBC’s headquarters in Dubai, attended by senior ATDD and EmiratesGBC officials, both parties dwelt on opportunities and potential ways to enhance green practices in tourism establishments in Ajman. Click here to read more.