The MENA Green Building Awards have become a platform to recognize and honor the exceptional efforts made by individuals and organizations in promoting eco-friendly practices within the built environment. With the 31st of July marking the deadline for submitting applications, we have received 72 application from 40 countries entries from across the region and the shortlist is ready for announcement. The diverse range of projects, initiatives, and innovations showcased in various categories exemplifies the commitment of our community towards building a greener and more sustainable future. we are excited to announce that sponsorship opportunities for the MENA Green Building Awards are now open! We invite organizations and companies who share our vision of sustainability to become part of this transformative event. For more information on sponsorship details and benefits, please visit the following link: Mena Green Building Council Sponsorship  

EmiratesGBC is currently conducting a survey aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and facilitators within the realm of Sustainable Built Environments. The insights gathered from this survey will play a crucial role in shaping a thought-leadership paper that EmiratesGBC is collaborating on with its partners.
We anticipate that completing the survey will take just 2-4 minutes of your time. Your participation in this endeavor would be immensely valuable to us. Your input will contribute to a broader perspective and help us drive meaningful change within the industry.
We encourage you to share this survey with other professionals in the Built Environment sector as well. Their perspectives and experiences are equally important in building a sustainable future.
To begin the survey, Feel free to CLICK HERE
Thank you in advance for your participation and for being part of this important initiative.

Emirates Green Building Council has entered a strategic partnership with industry leader Johnson Controls to tackle the critical issue of indoor air quality in educational institutions, particularly schools. This collaborative effort reflects our dedication to creating optimal learning environments for students.

Our joint initiative with Johnson Controls aims to go beyond the surface and delve into the intricacies of indoor air quality. We’re committed to ensuring that the air students breathe within school premises is not only clean but also conducive to their well-being and academic performance. This includes monitoring ventilation systems, filtration, and circulation to provide a healthier atmosphere for both students and educators. The aim is to transform educational environments into healthier, more conducive spaces for learning and personal growth.

READ MORE

Our primary focus is on the quality of education, and to that end, EmiratesGBC is embarking on a significant initiative in collaboration with esteemed members, Saint-Gobain and Over. Together, we’re launching a groundbreaking study aimed at assessing the quality of indoor environments in higher educational institutions. This innovative collaboration is driven by a shared goal: to enhance the well-being and academic performance of students.

Our study dives deep into several critical factors that influence the indoor environment. We’re examining elements such as air quality, lighting conditions, and thermal comfort to ensure they meet the highest standards for students’ health and comfort.

Dr. Ali, Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council, engaged in a thought-provoking Fireside chat at the Leaders in Construction UAE event held at Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina on September 20th, 2023. During this insightful discussion, Dr. Ali emphasized the crucial role of co-creation and collaboration in enabling effective smart city planning. He underscored the importance of aligning smart city strategies with the actual needs of residents, fostering inclusivity, and prioritizing sustainability. Dr. Ali delved into various key points, including the integration of renewable energy sources, efficient resource management through IoT sensors, the significance of public-private partnerships in funding sustainable projects, and the promotion of eco-friendly transportation methods. He also highlighted the necessity of resilience and disaster preparedness measures, emphasizing proactive risk assessment and community engagement. Measuring progress and accountability were stressed, ensuring that smart city initiatives remain on track. Lastly, Dr. Ali discussed the potential for international collaboration, allowing for the sharing of best practices and lessons learned to accelerate sustainable urban development. This Fireside chat provided invaluable insights into shaping smarter, more sustainable cities for the future.

On September 20th, 2023, at the prestigious Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, the Leaders in Construction UAE event witnessed a captivating Fireside chat featuring Dr. Ali, Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council. Dr. Ali shed light on a crucial topic: “The Importance of Co-creation and Collaboration to Enable Effective Smart City Planning.” His insights emphasized the need to develop smart city strategies that are not only technologically advanced but also inclusive, sustainable, and closely aligned with the genuine needs of residents. Dr. Ali underscored the significance of incorporating new technologies into government systems to build an efficient and sustainable citizen-centric model. This Fireside chat delved deep into the core principles of smart urban development, offering a vision for creating cities that are both innovative and people-centric, setting the stage for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Abdullatif ALBitawi, Director of Emirates Green Building Council, took the spotlight at the recent Global Glass Show 2023, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As a distinguished speaker at the event, he shared invaluable insights into the Glass, Window, and Door industries, shedding light on their evolving landscape and potential future directions. The Global Glass Show 2023, which concluded on September 6th at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, served as a pivotal platform for industry leaders, buyers, and sellers to discuss pressing challenges and explore innovative solutions. Abdullatif ALBitawi’s contributions to this event were greatly appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate further developments in these dynamic industries.

Under the banner of “Building Sustainable Cities,” Abdullatif AlBitawi, Director of Emirates Green Building Council, played a pivotal role as a distinguished panelist at the recent Bekaert event held on September 21st at SEE Institute LLC in Sustainable City. His profound insights and contributions added significant value to the discussions that revolved around sustainability and renewables. This event, hosted by Bekaert, one of our esteemed industry partners, brought together an illustrious gathering of Business Leaders, Diplomats, Academics, and Emirates Green Building Council Leaders. Among the topics covered were critical areas such as reducing carbon content in concrete and steel, exploring the potential of carbon capture and storage in steel and concrete manufacturing, addressing the challenges of intermittence in solar energy through battery storage solutions, and unveiling an exciting collaboration with Bee’ah that involves manufacturing steel fibers from construction and demolition waste for concrete reinforcement. This event served as a testament to the impactful contributions of our industry partners and the collective commitment to advancing sustainability in the built environment.

Emirates Green Building Council is eagerly gearing up for the upcoming MENA Climate Week, scheduled to take place from October 8th to 12th in Riyadh. This exciting event promises to be a pivotal moment in addressing climate challenges in the MENA region and beyond. EmiratesGBC is thrilled to announce its active participation in this significant week, collaborating closely with esteemed partners, including the Climate Champions, MENA Regional Network, and World Green Building Council

EmiratesGBC 10th Technical Workshop for members by members will be on “Whole life-cycle and embodied carbon analysis approach for projects and existing buildings ” By Egis . Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in Person format at – EmiratesGBC office, on the 13th of October, at 11:00am to 12:00 pm. We will be sending out the invites soon!

Our upcoming networking event for members will be on 20th October at the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) office. This event promises to be an evening filled with opportunities for meaningful connections, insightful discussions, and the celebration of our collective commitment to sustainability.

During the event, you’ll have the chance to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices with fellow members from diverse sectors, creating a collaborative atmosphere to drive positive change in our industry. It’s an invaluable opportunity to expand your network, establish new partnerships, and gain fresh insights into the latest trends and innovations within the sustainability realm.

During World Green Building Week 2023, we had the honor of hosting and the WGBC MENA Regional Network – Q3 Event.

It was a platform where ideas were exchanged, partnerships were forged, and a collective vision for a greener future was reaffirmed.

The MENA Regional Network-organized event delved deep into the distinctive challenges and opportunities that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region offers in the realm of sustainable construction. Knowledgeable experts shared their insights on how the industry can play a pivotal role in advancing the transition towards a more eco-friendly and robust built environment within this dynamic part of the world.

During this event, we embarked on an inspiring journey into the future of net-zero buildings, gaining invaluable insights into innovative Green finance solutions through captivating presentations and insightful panel discussions led by experts in the Built Environment. 🌍💡

One of the key takeaways from this extraordinary week was the incredible impact of collaboration among construction firms, suppliers, consultants, and financial institutes. This collective effort is actively transforming the sustainable built environment, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Explore the Implications of the Hottest July on Record: In a recent online webinar, we delved into the profound implications of July 2023 being declared the hottest month on record since 1880. Our panel of renowned climate experts examined the scientific, environmental, and societal factors driving this unprecedented rise in global temperatures. Discover the insights gained from this critical discussion and the potential solutions it unveiled to address this urgent issue.

During World Green Building Week, Emirates Green Building Council joined forces with The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to present a groundbreaking webinar titled “Unlocking Sustainability in Construction.” This collaborative effort delved into the future of sustainable construction, offering a wealth of valuable insights. Participants gained an in-depth understanding of the EmiratesGBC Energy Efficiency Program, shedding light on greener practices that can revolutionize the industry. The webinar also provided a comprehensive exploration of AHRI’s pivotal role in shaping the HVAC industry and emphasized the importance of certification in driving sustainability forward. Moreover, attendees enjoyed an immersive journey into AHRI’s Standard Development, uncovering the latest advancements in the field. This event was a testament to the commitment of both organizations to advancing sustainability within the construction sector, and it left participants inspired and informed about the path to a greener future.

On the 8th of September, Dar Al Handasah conducted the EmiratesGBC 9th  technical workshop for 2023, on “Transition to clean energy in the built environment“, you can watch the workshop through this link 

EmiratesGBC 10th Technical Workshop for members by members will be on “Whole life-cycle and embodied carbon analysis approach for projects and existing buildings ” By Egis . Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in Person format at – EmiratesGBC office, on the 13th of October, at 11:00am 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.

Zulema Sanchis,  Ali Ezzeddine, Eyob Mengiste, Manuel Padilla,

Sakrit Karmacharya

Accuracy

Digital twins and Industry 5.0 aim to optimize manufacturing processes by leveraging cutting-edge
technology. Industry 5.0 is the next phase in the industrial evolution and emphasizes collaboration
between humans and machines, while digital twins are virtual representations of physical assets or
processes, and they can be used to simulate, analyze and optimize the performance of a building
throughout its lifecycle [1]. For example, with a digital twin, it is possible to optimize the design and
operation of a building to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and minimize waste
[2]. Digital twins can be used to optimize energy usage, reduce waste, and minimize the environmental
impact of manufacturing processes. Industry 5.0 aims to create more sustainable and eco-friendly
production processes by leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of
Things (IoT).

Read More

Katharina Runov

Senior Marketing Manager

PolyPipe – Middle East

The built environment has tirelessly worked over three decades on reducing energy consumption. Buzzwords like ‘net-zero emissions’ have become commonplace. However, we’re realizing our current approach isn’t fully addressing the issue. The future looks at net-positive design, which goes beyond just doing no harm—it actively repairs ecological damage and views buildings as eco-assets. Key strategies encompass a circular economy, emphasizing building longevity and material re-use, and a thrust on public health with enhanced drainage systems. Urban resilience, coping with climate challenges like droughts and floods, and blue-green roofs, infusing nature in urban design, are also vital. While initial investments in net-positive might be higher, the long-term environmental and financial benefits are clear and compelling.

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 engagemnet@emiratesgbc.org.

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.