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.

Emirates Green Building Council’s team, under the guidance of its Director Abdullatif Albitawi, engaged in a fruitful meeting with the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), represented by Mr. Khalid Salmi, Expert -Head of Standardisation and Certification Unit, and Mr. Ashraf Kraidy, Founder and DG. The discussions centered around the imminent launch of the Pan Arab Certified Energy Management Professional Program (PA-CEMP) in the UAE. Both parties delved into various aspects of the program, including training course details, certificate issuance, and the significance of its implementation. Developed in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity, PA-CEMP is poised to be a standardized certification program tailored specifically for Energy Managers in the Arab region. As an intergovernmental organization, RCREEE is dedicated to advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency practices across Pan-Arab countries. Stay tuned for updates on the program launch!

During our recent gathering, members from diverse sectors came together to meet the new management team in a welcoming environment. They exchanged ideas and shared their visions for Emirates Green Building Council, fostering a sense of collaboration and unity. It was a delightful occasion to connect and play a part in shaping our collective future!

Emirates Green Building Council teamed up with the Dubai Investments Green Run, held on February 18, 2024, in Dubai Investments Park. This eco-conscious event featured T-shirts made from recycled materials, aligning perfectly with our commitment to sustainability. More than just a run, it served as a vibrant celebration of eco-friendliness and a call to embrace sustainable living practices. Participants, including families, students, environmental enthusiasts, and running enthusiasts, were invited to join either a 3KM walk/run or a 5KM run. The event provided our team and members with an invigorating start to the day, reinforcing our dedication to green initiatives.

The Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, a technical program under EmiratesGBC, has been actively involved in various activities this month aimed at fostering awareness about sustainability in the built environment among young people.

The first activity involved a Passive House Design Workshop, conducted in partnership with Dar Al Handasah, wherein students from the International School of Choueifat participated to grasp the fundamentals of passive design and its significance.

The second initiative, in collaboration with the American University of Dubai, featured a presentation by our team highlighting the current state of sustainability in the UAE’s built environment. This presentation showcased projects and buildings by EmiratesGBC members, illustrating the strides made in this domain.

Similarly, EmiratesGBC conducted a presentation on advancements in the UAE’s built environment to visiting students from the University of Edinburgh Napier. This presentation included local case studies and insights from the EmiratesGBC 2022 Market Brief, offering a comprehensive overview of progress in sustainable construction practices.

We were honored to participate in a workshop with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure focused on National Green Building Regulations. The event emphasized the critical role of these regulations in fostering sustainability within the construction industry. Discussions led by industry experts, policymakers, and practitioners highlighted the importance of implementing environmentally friendly practices to achieve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance overall sustainability in the built environment. It was a valuable opportunity to collaborate and contribute to the ongoing efforts towards a greener future, reflecting the shared commitment of Emirates GBC and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

Emirates Green Building Council is going to launch the highly-anticipated UAE Sustainable Built Environment Blueprint Report during the Sustainable Cities in Action Forum 2024 (5 -6 March)

Endorsed by the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure MOEIUAE. in partnership with the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions and HSBC.
The report is an output of a series of workshops with UAE’s leading real-estate developers and financial institutes outlining the top challenges, opportunities, and key-enablers to advance sustainability in the built environment and reach the sector’s decarbonization goals.
The report is a high-level document aimed at Government officials, policy and decision makers, advisors, consultants, building professionals and researchers.

The EmiratesGBC Women Network is set to commence its 3rd cohort of the WN Mentorship Program virtually, featuring EmiratesGBC members who have volunteered as mentors or mentees. Mentors may be male or female EmiratesGBC members, while mentees are exclusively female members of EmiratesGBC. The launch will take place via an online webinar, allowing all participants to join remotely and engage in the program’s activities.

The EmiratesGBC Women Network will be participating in International Women’s Day Event by the Women’s Pavilion of EXPO City Dubai by delivering a session on: “Igniting Inspiration: Women Leading Change in Sustainable Built Environments”.

The session aims to highlight the significant contributions of women in advancing sustainability within built environments. Through the power of knowledge exchange and collaborative leadership, it endeavours to inspire actionable change, foster innovation, and drive collective efforts towards creating more resilient and environmentally conscious spaces.

EmiratesGBC 3rd Technical Workshop for members by members will be on “Decarbonizing UAE’s Build Environment“  By Readymix Gulf a member of Holcim Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in-person format, on the 8th of March, at 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. We will be sending out the invites soon!

EmiratesGBC Women Network hosted a thought-provoking workshop commemorating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science!  During the event, attendees explored the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) within the Built Environment and their potential advantages for businesses. The session, guided by RIMA BOUDABA ALABAS, Senior Sustainability Consultant at AESG, provided insights into different facets of EPDs, ranging from their significance in Green Building Certification to their contribution to Carbon Assessment Scope.

During our recent gathering, members from diverse sectors came together to meet the new management team in a welcoming environment. They exchanged ideas and shared their visions for Emirates Green Building Council, fostering a sense of collaboration and unity. It was a delightful occasion to connect and play a part in shaping our collective future!

On the 20th of February, Farnek conducted the EmiratesGBC 2nd  technical workshop for 2024, on “ COP28 Insights -Energy Transition for the Built Environment“, you can watch the workshop through this link 

EmiratesGBC 3rd Technical Workshop for members by members will be on Decarbonizing UAE’s Build Environment By Readymix Gulf a member of Holcim Exclusive to EmiratesGBC members, the workshop will be in-Person format , on the 8th of March, at 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.

Samar Zakhem

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. 

my name is Samar Zakhem I am Lebanese living in Dubai since 2001 , I come form the the north of Lebanon hence my love to nature , the sea and heritage. I enjoy discovering new restaurants , walking , and as soon as I have free time traveling to new destinations

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?

I am an interior designer specialized in commercial ID , started my career in dubai as an exhibition stand designer and then opened my own boutique design office in 2009 specializing only in commercial design. There is nothing I don’t love about my job , but I have to say on the top of my list is the … possibilities , the anticipation realizing creation , material selection , creating spaces that people can relate to , make them feel something , I feel most satisfied when creating a space that translates  directly the message behind the brand. Ad for sustainable projects I try to include sustainable materials in most of my projects, and I am proud of so many , RSVP restaurant , Sufret Maryam , 11 Woodfire and the most sustainable of them al is his&hers Atlantis

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? 

The challenges faced had nothing to do with gender , it had to do with material availability , awareness and price range. In commercial design we are always designing keeping in mind the budget and the time frame it needs to be executed in, therefore the materials are almost always dictated by those two major elements and NOT but the initial intension.

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 honest Opinion I have not seen my contribution yet , although I do spread awareness and I do contribute a great deal , but in my modest opinion , my contribution will only be acceptable in my eyes when it is mandatory to present a sustainable study within a typical BOQ with each project showing how much material used was recycled or sustainable smart ways to finding solution for an issue and try and push clients and contractors to make it their  norm and not hide from delivering and aiming for such results.

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.