Emirates Green Building Council Sustainability Lounge offers a vibrant and flexible space where members and partners can connect, collaborate, and innovate. The lounge is designed to cater to a variety of professional needs, featuring co-working spaces, board meeting facilities, and a dedicated Wall of Fame to showcase sustainable products. It also provides opportunities for members to advertise on digital screens, boosting visibility within the green building sector.

In addition to its everyday functionalities, the lounge is also an ideal venue for hosting events, training sessions, and workshops, making it the perfect place to engage with the sustainability community. Whether you’re conducting meetings, presenting new ideas, or planning training programs, the Sustainability Lounge supports your goals every step of the way.

To learn more about the lounge or reserve your space for your next event, please visit  Sustainability Lounge webpage.

Emirates Green Building Council  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) UAE Office. This pivotal agreement, signed by EmiratesGBC Chairman Khaled Bushnaq in the presence of CEO Abdullatif Albitawi, GGGI representatives led by Mahamadou Tounkara, and officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, represents a major milestone in driving sustainable urban development across the UAE.

The partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing green growth and sustainability in the built environment. It aims to leverage the collective expertise, networks, and experiences of both organizations to accelerate the UAE’s readiness for net-zero and support urban sustainability initiatives.

Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MoU include knowledge sharing, the implementation of green projects, and fostering thought leadership by drawing on insights from both the public and private sectors. Together, EmiratesGBC and GGGI are dedicated to empowering communities and stakeholders in building a more sustainable and resilient future for the UAE.

Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) and Ajman University have formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in sustainability education and research within the building industry. This milestone agreement reflects the shared vision of both institutions to promote sustainable practices and contribute to the advancement of a greener built environment in the UAE.

The MoU provides a framework for cooperation in areas of common interest, including sustainability initiatives in the built environment. Both parties aim to:

• Collaborate on educational and research projects related to green building practices.
• Leverage their networks to support activities and promote sustainable practices regionally and internationally.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and develop cooperative solutions to address sustainability challenges in the building sector.

This partnership underscores a mutual commitment to advancing sustainability and achieving meaningful impact in the UAE’s journey toward a greener future.

An exclusive introductory workshop on the PA-CEMP (Pan Arab – Certified Energy Management Professionals) program will be held to address the growing demand for skilled energy management professionals in the private sector. The program is designed to help organizations improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and align with governmental sustainability objectives.

Endorsed by the Executive Bureau of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity, the PA-CEMP program offers globally recognized certification to enhance organizational capacity for sustainable energy practices.

The workshop will provide an introduction to the PA-CEMP program, explore energy challenges and opportunities in the private sector, and highlight the role of certified energy professionals in advancing corporate sustainability. Participants will benefit from a detailed program overview, case studies of successful energy efficiency initiatives, and an interactive discussion on the value of energy management strategies.

This workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn how the PA-CEMP program can support your organization in achieving its energy management and sustainability objectives.

To register for the workshop, please use the link below:

PA-CEMP Workshop for the Private Sector – EmiratesGBC Events – Tickets

This webinar will delve into the state of schools in participating MENA countries, focusing on greening initiatives and sustainability practices. It will address challenges and opportunities for embedding sustainability in education, evaluate regional readiness for collaborative efforts to green schools, and launch a MENA-wide survey to gather valuable insights.

The EmiratesGBC Women Network is kicking off the year with its Q1 workshop, Leadership Foundations: Paving the Way for 2025. This session will focus on empowering women to lead with purpose by emphasizing strategic thinking, fostering collaboration, and building a shared vision. Participants will also contribute to shaping impactful research and initiatives that align with the network’s objectives for 2025. This workshop sets the stage for a year of meaningful engagement and progress, highlighting the vital role of women in driving leadership and sustainability.

EmiratesGBC members are invited to an exclusive tour of the Lafarge Cement Factory in Fujairah. This unique experience will provide an in-depth look at the production process behind one of the region’s most widely used building materials. Invitations will be sent out soon, so stay tuned for this exciting opportunity to gain valuable insights into sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Emirates Green Building Council  recently held its Annual General Meeting, uniting members to review the year’s achievements and outline plans for an impactful 2025.

The event featured inspiring presentations from EmiratesGBC leadership, interactive discussions on progress and upcoming objectives, and an open forum for members to share valuable feedback. A key highlight was the recognition of outstanding contributions, with awards presented to the Most Active Corporate Member and Individual Member .

The meeting concluded with a lively networking session, fostering connections among members and celebrating the shared commitment to promoting sustainability in the nation’s built environment.

The Women Network at Emirates Green Building Council concluded 2024 with a vibrant Year-End Gathering aimed at celebrating achievements, fostering connections, and setting the stage for 2025. The event officially launched the Women Network Committee and reflected on the 2024 mentorship program, incorporating valuable feedback from participants. Attendees engaged in creative and collaborative activities, brainstorming ideas and plans for the upcoming year.

The gathering was a testament to the power of collaboration and a commitment to empowering women in advancing sustainability.

The EmiratesGBC 1st ( 2025 ) Technical Workshop for members by members will be By Rider Levett Bucknall The workshop will be held online, on the 10th of January.

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.

Address Creek Harbour was a new hotel certified last month

Rolling out a new regulatory regime for safety-critical reinforcing steels entering the UAE’s construction market heralds a ‘transformative’ step towards digital sustainability, according to CARES – the world’s leading steel certification authority.

Working closely with policymakers at the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels helped bring product traceability to the routes these materials take from source to site. This enables third-party digital assurance, boosting stakeholder confidence.

Manufacturers joined workshops to shape the regulations enacted in the new Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS). “Through the adoption of digital assurance, the UAE now sets the pace internationally” said CARES’ CEO Lee Brankley. Product provenance is critical for project confidence, he added.

The new UAE regulations were mandated as CARES also strengthened ties with manufacturers through its Sustainable Constructional Steel scheme, driving continuous improvement in environmental stewardship

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.

        Mays Kayed

Sustainability Manager – AlDar

4. 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’m Mays Kayed, Sustainability Manager at Aldar Properties, but beyond work, I’m someone who values connection, creativity, and curiosity, and I cherish time spent with family and loved ones – whether it’s sharing laughs or diving into playful art and craft projects. Simple joys like hiking in nature, getting lost in a good book, or exploring new hobbies keep me inspired. These passions shape my perspective, reminding me that true progress comes from caring for both people and the planet.

              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 studied architectural design, and after a year in the field, I shifted my focus to sustainability to better understand how to create spaces and solutions that enhance quality of life. This shift reflected my belief in the power of design to build resilient communities and foster well-being. My journey led me to work with leading developers, helping them create value in the built environment through sustainable and human-centric design. I’m especially proud of contributing to two landmark projects: Athlon by Aldar, a 7-time award-winning project and the first LEED for Cities & Communities platinum-certified design and planning project in the UAE, and the Sustainable City in Abu Dhabi, which achieved Pearl 5 certification for its innovative approach to sustainable urban living.

                  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? 

Working in sustainability comes with its own set of challenges—ones that often go beyond the question of being a woman in the field. I’m fortunate that my journey has been met with respect and support, but sustainability itself can mean navigating tricky waters, like proving that sustainable solutions aren’t just “nice to have” but essential. Balancing bold ideas with tight budgets has tested me, but it’s in those challenges that innovation truly thrives. My favourite triumphs? Turning a hesitant “maybe” into a confident “wow” and getting entire teams to rally around a shared vision.

              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? 

I see my role as the link between vision and action, turning innovative ideas into real-world solutions that improve lives and protect the planet for future generations. To women looking to make an impact in sustainability, my advice is simple: stay consistent, even when progress feels slow. Celebrate small victories to keep yourself motivated and always keep the bigger goal in mind. Surround yourself with a supportive network, and don’t hesitate to speak up your ideas and voice have the power to drive meaningful change.

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 Sustainability Lounge 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.