A LETTER FROM EGBC FAMILY

EmiratesGBC NEWS AND UPDATES

A New Milestone: EmiratesGBC Releases Sustainable School Building Guidance Booklet

Emirates Green Building Council has launched the Sustainable School Building Guidance Booklet, unveiled during the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership (GEP) Annual General Meeting. Developed through the collective expertise of EmiratesGBC members and university partners, the booklet provides practical, evidence-based guidance for designing schools in hot and heat-affected regions, following a structured approach of Definition, Aim, Recommendation, Technical Input, and Case Study across key themes such as Passive Design, Green School Materials, Energy and Controls, Water Efficiency, Health and Wellbeing, Universal Design, Waste and Circularity, Green Mobility, Signage and Wayfinding, and Financing. Grounded in regional and international references, the resource is ready for adoption, piloting, and adaptation to local contexts. EmiratesGBC invites ministries, school groups, donors, developers, and designers to apply the guidance in upcoming projects, collaborate on localized benchmarks, and share feedback for future iterations. The booklet can be downloaded through the following link : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000396416

EmiratesGBC Launches Logo Redesign Competition for 20th Anniversary

As Emirates Green Building Council prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Council has launched a Logo Redesign Competition inviting young designers to create a refreshed visual identity that reflects EmiratesGBC’s mission and future direction. This milestone marks two decades of leadership in advancing sustainable development, promoting green building practices, and championing environmental stewardship across the UAE. The competition offers emerging talent a unique opportunity to shape the Council’s brand as it enters a new chapter of innovation and impact in the built environment. The winning designer will receive a 2,500 AED cash prize and the recognition of having their logo adopted as the new emblem of EmiratesGBC. Full competition details and submission guidelines are available here: EmiratesGBC Logo Competition – Submission Criteria

EmiratesGBC CEO Joins Panel on Smart Cities and Sustainable Architecture in Ras Al Khaimah

Emirates Green Building Council’s CEO participated as a panelist in the session “Innovative Real Estate Development in Ras Al Khaimah: Smart Cities & Sustainable Architecture” at the 2nd Edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment & Business Summit 2025. The discussion explored forward-looking strategies for sustainable urban development, highlighting the growing importance of smart city solutions, resilient design, and innovative real estate practices in shaping the future of Ras Al Khaimah’s built environment.

EmiratesGBC CEO to Join UN Global Compact UAE & PwC Middle East Insights Session

Emirates Green Building Council will participate as a panelist in the UN Global Compact UAE and PwC Middle East’s upcoming Insights Breakfast Session, “Sustainability Shaping the Built Environment,” held as part of the Pivot for Growth: Leading in Sustainable Transformation initiative. The session will bring together industry leaders to discuss the evolving role of sustainability in shaping future-ready buildings and advancing the region’s transition toward a more resilient built environment.

EmiratesGBC Presents on Energy Codes at HVACR World

Emirates Green Building Council delivered a presentation titled “Energy Codes: Raising the Bar for Efficiency” as part of the HVACR Talks at HVACR World. The session highlighted the critical role of robust energy codes in improving building performance, reducing emissions, and supporting the UAE’s wider sustainability and efficiency objectives.

EmiratesGBC Participates in Education-Focused Panel on Designing for Wellbeing and Excellence

During Dubai Design Week, Emirates Green Building Council joined a thought-provoking panel at Shaw Contract titled “Designing for Wellbeing & Excellence: How Educational Spaces Shape Tomorrow’s Achievers.” The session explored the critical relationship between the school built environment and the learning experience, emphasizing how thoughtfully designed educational spaces can foster engagement, wellbeing, and academic excellence. EmiratesGBC contributed insights on integrating sustainability and human-centric design to create environments that support the next generation of learners.

EmiratesGBC Joins Sustainable Water Use Platform Meeting at Swiss Embassy

Emirates Green Building Council participated in the Sustainable Water Use Platform (SWUP) meeting held at the Embassy of Switzerland. The session, part of a series of discussions leading up to the UN Water Conference 2026—which the UAE will co-host with Senegal—focused on fostering collaboration among government entities, private sector organizations, research institutes, and NGOs. Participants explored innovative solutions and strategies to advance sustainable water use and management, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development and water stewardship.

EmiratesGBC Joins AIA Panel on UAE Vision 2030 During Dubai Design Week

Emirates Green Building Council participated in the panel “UAE Vision 2030: The Next 5 Years” organized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) during Dubai Design Week. The discussion highlighted sustainability and community as central priorities of the UAE Vision 2030 and explored how architecture and design act as powerful tools to shape vibrant, attractive cities, enhancing the UAE’s global appeal as one of the world’s most desirable places to live.

EmiratesGBC Participates in Future Schools Summit

Emirates Green Building Council attended and actively participated in the Future Schools Summit, reflecting the UAE’s rapid transformation into a global hub for education and innovation. The event brought together leaders from design, construction, and technology to reimagine the learning environment. EmiratesGBC contributed its expertise during the panel “Building Smarter Schools from Plan to Reality,” where experts discussed strategies to address key challenges in modern school construction, including alignment with smart city initiatives, inclusivity, budgeting, timelines, and technology integration.

EmiratesGBC Participates in Stakeholder Consultation for UAE National Indoor Air Quality Framework

Emirates Green Building Council took part in the stakeholder consultation organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), engaging with key institutions in the development of the UAE National Indoor Air Quality Framework. The session focused on shaping policies and strategies to ensure healthier, safer, and more sustainable indoor environments across the country.

UPCOMING EMIRATESGBC EVENTS

Annual General Meeting

Emirates Green Building Council is preparing to host its Annual General Meeting, a key gathering that brings together our valued members to review the Council’s progress and outline priorities for the year ahead. The upcoming AGM will feature updates from our leadership, insights into ongoing and future initiatives, and an open forum for members to share feedback and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Women’s Network Social Night: Reflecting on 2025 and Shaping 2026

Exclusively for female members of EmiratesGBC, the Women’s Network will host a special Social Night set against a beautiful desert backdrop. The gathering offers a moment to pause and reflect on the achievements of 2025, while also looking ahead to the future. The highlight of the evening will be the launch of the Women’s Network White Paper, followed by a collaborative planning session that will help shape the Network’s direction and priorities for 2026.

PREVIOUS EMIRATESGBC EVENTS

World Cities Day: EmiratesGBC Convenes Leaders to Advance Resilient, Sustainable Cities

To mark World Cities Day, Emirates Green Building Council hosted an exclusive roundtable at the EmiratesGBC Sustainability Lounge, convening embassy representatives, urban specialists, and industry leaders for a dynamic exchange on advancing climate-neutral and resilient cities. The Council was honored to welcome distinguished speakers including Ms. Kenza Tarqaat, Deputy Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ms. Iti Press, Deputy Head of Mission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Mr. G. Andre Vreman, Chairman of Climate Neutral Real Estate; Mr. Elie Matar, Director of Electricity at Dubai RSB; Mr. Javad Mahmoodi, CEO and Co-Founder of Kotook Tech Ltd and former mayor; and Mrs. Omnia Halawani, Co-CEO and Founder of grfn. The conversation highlighted the critical role of collaboration between governments, cities, and the private sector in accelerating sustainable urban transformation and supporting the UAE’s climate goals.

EmiratesGBC and Climate Neutral Real Estate Explore Net Zero Building Innovations

Emirates Green Building Council, in partnership with Climate Neutral Real Estate, hosted the seminar “Pushing Further the Net Zero Building Concept: Creating Synergies in the Building Envelope & Systems” at the ONYX Room, Novotel, Dubai World Trade Center. The event brought together industry leaders, researchers, and technology experts to explore innovative strategies for advancing sustainable building design and achieving Net Zero ambitions. Opening remarks were delivered by Kenza Tarqât, Deputy Consul-General of the Netherlands, followed by Abdullatif Albitawi, CEO of EmiratesGBC, and Andre Vreman, Chairman of Climate Neutral Real Estate. Technology presentations covered thermal energy storage, urban climate modeling, circular water management, energy-efficient indoor climates, façade systems, carbon-conscious design, climate control automation, and lighting solutions, The seminar concluded with a panel discussion, moderated by Abdullatif Albitawi, CEO of EmiratesGBC , on integrating building technologies to accelerate Net Zero goals, highlighting collaboration and innovation as key drivers for sustainable urban transformation.

Industry Partner Events

INTERNATIONAL CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The International Concrete Technology Forum (ICTF 2025) will take place on 17–18 December in Dubai, presented by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and Grey Matters. The forum serves as a regional platform focused on advancing knowledge, innovation, and sustainable practices across the concrete and construction sectors. It provides an opportunity to examine technical developments and emerging solutions shaping the industry. The program includes learning and networking opportunities covering recent advances, technical knowledge, ongoing research, tools, and solutions in concrete manufacturing, design, and construction. Participants will gain insights from global experts and engage in discussions supported by technical presentations, case studies, and interactive sessions addressing shared industry challenges. The forum also offers a structured setting for exchanging perspectives on evolving standards, performance requirements, and future directions for the sector.

World Future Energy Summit
13 to 15 January 2026
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, UAE

The World Future Energy Summit is the region’s leading event for renewable energy and sustainability. Bringing together 50,000+ attendees, including 450+ exhibitors and 300+ speakers, it connects industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to accelerate the transition to net zero. Across three days, the Summit features a major international exhibition, high-level conferences, and dedicated networking programmes — all designed to showcase cutting-edge solutions across clean energy, water, circular economy, smart cities, e-mobility, AI, green finance, and pathways to 1.5°C, creating the blueprint for a sustainable future.

Join us this January in Abu Dhabi and be part of the future of energy. Learn more: https://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/en-gb.html

EMIRATESGBC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP FOR MEMBERS BY MEMBERS

The EmiratesGBC 12th (2025) Technical Workshop

For members by members will be by Killa Design on the 12th December 11:00 Am – 12:00 Pm, Title:” Defining an Accountability Framework for the Built Environment “. The workshop will be held online format via Teams; invitation sent to all Members.

GREEN KEY

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 organizations in more than 70 countries worldwide where Emirates Green Building Council is the national operator in the United Arab Emirates.

new certified green key hotels :

Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah

Copthorne Hotel Dubai

Holiday Inn Dubai Village Circle

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

Energy Optimization for a Global Developer

Katrin Schoerkhuber

Director Business Development Middle East and Africa

nhance

A leading global developer required comprehensive visibility into energy consumption, power distribution, and asset performance across its large business park. Operations had been hindered by manual reporting, frequent load imbalances, and undetected leakages from faulty equipment, resulting in inefficiencies and rising costs. Nhance deployed more than 90 energy meters and integrated them into a unified platform with real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated fault alerts. Engineers gained access to detailed dashboards showing live load profiles, harmonics, phase imbalance, and departmental energy use, allowing proactive maintenance and informed decisions. Benchmarking against baseline KPIs and seasonal variations enabled long-term performance optimization. By dynamically adjusting HVAC and lighting schedules during non-peak hours, the client realized sustained energy savings of 15–18% per month, while simultaneously extending equipment lifespan. Automated sustainability reporting streamlined compliance with ESG requirements, turning operational challenges into measurable improvements in efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance.

The Outlook for Green Building in the UAE 2025

Viacheslav Zavgorodnity

Associate Director

SW TENET

Sustainable building involves minimising negative environmental impacts during the construction and operation of buildings through the efficient and mindful use of materials, energy, water resources, space, and ecosystems. Implementing green construction projects can have a positive impact on the climate, as well as on the health and well-being of building users. With the development of ESG practices and sustainability principles in all sectors, interest in green building has been growing worldwide in recent years. The Outlook for Green Building in the UAE review aims to assess its potential in the United Arab Emirates. The research was prepared by Tenet and EmiratesGBC professionals, based on data obtained in a survey of representatives of the construction industry and construction clients. The publication includes the results of an analysis of green building practices in the UAE and around the world.

To access the full report please use the link

MEMBERS OPPORTUNITES

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 [email protected].

EmiratesGBC WOMEN NETWORK SPOTLIGHT!

Deepika Verma

ESG Manager

Innovo Group

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

1. • I am an Indian sustainability professional who has called Dubai home for more than two decades. I am driven by curiosity and a deep sense of responsibility toward future generations. Outside work, I find balance through yoga, evening walks, fiction audiobooks and spending time with family and friends. As a vegetarian, I value low impact living and try to make conscious choices in my daily life. I also enjoy reading ESG journals, which keeps me grounded, informed and inspired to understand how global shifts translate into real impact for 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?

1. • My career began in hospitality with the Jumeirah Group, where pre-opening projects first introduced me to operational efficiency and sustainability through Dubai Sustainable Tourism. Leading the sustainability committee sparked my long-term interest in the field. Over the past six years, I have worked across consulting and now lead ESG at Innovo Group, building the function from its early setup to a fully integrated framework. I am proud of delivering our first ESG report, strengthening governance, and introducing initiatives such as sustainable site offices and the “No More Plastic” campaign, all of which contribute to meaningful cultural and operational change.

1.  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? 

1. • Working in a male dominated construction environment often meant navigating assumptions, but my stakeholder-facing background helped me build rapport and credibility. I learned early that preparation, evidence based recommendations and consistency earn trust. A major challenge has been shifting mindsets in a fast paced, cost focused sector, which required demonstrating tangible business value alongside environmental and social benefits. My most meaningful triumphs include seeing leaders proactively seek ESG guidance and witnessing younger women gain confidence and visibility in this space. These moments remind me how culture shifts gradually but powerfully when persistence and collaboration come together.

  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? 
  • My role allows me to connect strategy, data and people so that sustainability becomes part of everyday decision making, whether in materials selection, energy use or worker welfare. I take complex topics such as climate risk and Scope 3 emissions and convert them into practical actions that improve project performance rather than being seen as additional burden. For women aspiring to enter this field, I encourage curiosity, continuous learning, and building both technical and interpersonal skills. Seek mentors, create opportunities to contribute and believe in the value of your perspective. The sustainability sector grows stronger when more diverse voices participate. 

REACH US

Members of the Emirates Green Building Council can join in any of our technical programs, 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, Health and Wellbeing, Net Zero Center of Excellence, Energy Efficiency, Green Key and Benchmarking Program.

Kindly send us an email to [email protected] to inquire about any of the mentioned technical programs.

EmiratesGBC Sustainability Lounge is now available for meetings and workshops!

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 [email protected]. The office room is fully equipped with AV and provides a pleasant environment for focused meetings or training workshops.