A LETTER FROM EGBC FAMILY

EmiratesGBC NEWS AND UPDATES

Emirates Green Building Council is proud to announce its 14th Annual Congress, taking place at Dusit Thani Dubai on the 21st May 2025 and Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island on the 22nd May 2025. Under the title “Mission to 1.5°C: Be Bold on Buildings,” the congress will dive into four key themes: Enhancing Ambitions with NDCs, Climate Finance as an Enabler, Efficiency, Resilience & Adaptation, and The Building Breakthrough. Join industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts for two days of high-impact discussions, cutting-edge insights, and transformative strategies shaping the future of the built environment.

We are pleased to acknowledge Bearys Global as the Platinum Sponsor, Green Way Environmental Consultants as Gold Sponsor and Leading Hospitality Services as Silver Sponsor of this year’s congress, whose support is helping drive forward our shared mission for a greener, more sustainable built environment.

🔗 Learn more: Annual EmiratesGBC Congress 
💡 Explore Sponsorship Opportunities

EmiratesGBC CEO Leads Dialogue on Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials at The Future of Real Estate Conference

During the 14th – 16th April 2025 conference titled “The Future of Real Estate in a Dynamic World: Towards Driving an Industry Transition” at the World Trade Centre, Dubai, the Emirates Green Building Council’s (EmiratesGBC) CEO took part in a thought-provoking Fireside Chat on “Building Beyond Borders – Sustainable Materials & Circular Economy”.

In this engaging session, the CEO highlighted the critical role of circular economy practices in transforming the construction industry. The discussion focused on how innovative building materials, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable practices are key to reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint. The CEO emphasized that a transition towards more sustainable materials like recycled concrete, bio-based materials, and low-carbon cement could lead to a reduction of up to 30% in CO₂ emissions.

The session underscored the importance of reducing waste, reusing materials, and optimizing resources as part of a circular economy approach to sustainability in the construction sector. With the construction industry estimated to be worth USD 8 trillion over the next five years, the need for ecological transformations has never been more urgent.

Empowering Future Architects: EmiratesGBC Joins Saint-Gobain Student Competition Jury

Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) had the pleasure of serving as a judge for the national round of the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Competition in the UAE, ahead of the international stage. The competition featured a diverse range of student projects that reflected innovation, technical excellence, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Judging was based on sustainable design principles, site planning, occupant wellbeing, and environmental impact—highlighting the role of future architects in driving a more sustainable and thoughtful built environment.

EmiratesGBC CEO Champions Circularity at B-CAD Emirates Convention

Emirates Green Building Council’s CEO, Mr. Abuallatif Al Bitawi, delivered a keynote address on Circularity in the Built Environment at the B-CAD (Building–Construction Architecture Design) Emirates Convention, hosted at Italia Camp in Convention Tower Dubai. His presentation spotlighted the critical role of circular strategies in transforming the construction sector and reinforced EmiratesGBC’s commitment to driving sustainability across the built environment.

EmiratesGBC 14th Annual Congress – A Call to Bold Action

Emirates Green Building Council is proud to host its 14th Annual Congress under the title “Mission to 1.5°C: Be Bold on Buildings”, taking place on 21 May 2025 at Dusit Thani Dubai and 22 May 2025 at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. This flagship event will bring together government leaders, industry pioneers, and academic experts to accelerate climate action within the built environment. With a focus on bold policies, circular economy, innovative technologies, and sustainable finance, the Congress offers a platform for dynamic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and actionable solutions.

📌 Explore the agenda, themes, and speaker line-up here:
🔗 https://emiratesgbc.org/annual-emiratesgbc-congress/

🎟 Don’t miss out – registration is open until mid-May! Join us in shaping the future of sustainable buildings in the UAE and beyond.

EPD Awareness & Capacity-Building Workshop – Advancing Transparency in Green Construction

Emirates Green Building Council, in collaboration with EPD International, EPD MENA, and powered by Green AI, is pleased to host an engaging and informative EPD Awareness & Capacity-Building Workshop on 8 May 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. This virtual session will explore the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in achieving sustainable construction goals, aligning local practices with international standards. Attendees will gain insights into how EPDs support green building certification, drive material transparency, and contribute to circular economy strategies in the region.

EMIRATESGBC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP FOR MEMBERS BY MEMBERS

The EmiratesGBC 5th ( 2025 ) Technical Workshop

for members by members will be By Innovo Group, delving into the topic of the design workflows to ensure sustainability in the built environment. The workshop will be held in-person format at Emirates Green Building Councils’ Sustainability lounge, on Friday 9^th May 09:00 am – 10:00 am

Invitation sent to our 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 organisations in more than 70 countries worldwide where Emirates Green Building Council is the national operator in the United Arab Emirates.

Park Inn Radisson Blu Dubai Motor City and The First Collection Waterfront were new hotels certified last month.

EMIRATESGBC TRAINING

Pan Arab Certified Energy Management Professionals (PA-CEMP) Training Program

We are delighted to announce the official launch of the Pan Arab Certified Energy Management Professionals (PA-CEMP) training program by Emirates Green Building Council! This initiative underscores our commitment to advancing sustainability and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. Developed in collaboration with the League of Arab States Energy Department and endorsed by the Executive Bureau of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity, PA-CEMP is a professional certification program tailored for Energy Managers in the Arab region. The program, managed by the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), aims to assist energy efficiency policy makers and program administrators in planning and implementing comprehensive Energy Efficiency programs and measures. Key highlights of PA-CEMP include comprehensive technical content developed by industry leaders, hands-on learning sessions to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, and a prestigious certification upon successful completion. This certification will enhance the professional profile and credibility of energy management professionals, equipping them with the latest technologies and energy essentials to drive sustainable practices across the region.

To have more information and you missed the online introductory webinar you can watch it through this link

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

Recycling: A Lesson for Our Children, A Gift to Our Planet

Anas Ramiz Lulu

Team Lead (Sustainability – Environment – Waste)

Ramboll

In a world increasingly strained by environmental challenges, recycling stands out as one of the simplest yet most powerful actions we can take. It’s more than just sorting waste, it’s a mindset, a habit, and most importantly, a responsibility. And like any vital value, it begins at home.

Teaching our children about recycling is not only about reducing landfill waste or saving resources. It’s about nurturing a generation that respects the Earth, understands its limits, and feels empowered to protect it. By involving our kids in everyday recycling, separating plastics, reusing paper, or repurposing items creatively, we show them that their small actions can lead to big changes.

Children are natural learners, and when they see adults caring about the environment, they mirror those values. Schools can reinforce this by integrating sustainability into lessons and encouraging projects that promote recycling awareness. But the true foundation is built at home, through daily habits and family conversations.

Imagine the impact if every child grew up treating waste as a resource, not just trash. It could redefine our future, creating cleaner cities, reducing pollution, and conserving precious natural resources.

The planet doesn’t need perfection, it needs participation. Let’s teach our kids the value of recycling, not as a chore, but as a way of life. In doing so, we gift them not only a cleaner Earth but the tools to keep it that way.

Sustainable Housing Innovation: DesertBoard’s PSB® Mock-Up Home in Dubai Creek Harbour

Kareem Farah

Director, DesertBoard.

DesertBoard UAE has completed a full-scale mock-up home in Dubai Creek Harbour, built entirely from its proprietary Palm Strand Board (PSB®)—a landmark achievement in sustainable construction. The 240m² structure, including one- and two-bedroom layouts, showcases the material’s structural integrity, fire resistance, and water resilience, while aligning with stringent developer standards.

Manufactured locally with zero formaldehyde and 30% renewable energy, PSB® highlights DesertBoard’s commitment to eco-conscious innovation. The project gained immediate industry attention at the 2025 Dubai Wood Show, where DesertBoard received the CSR Commitment Award.

This case demonstrates how regionally sourced, formaldehyde-free building materials can meet modern architectural demands while reducing environmental impact. With potential for application in high-moisture and cold climates, PSB® is helping to shape the future of durable, green construction in the Middle East and beyond.

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!

Julia CARRE

Director of International communication

Accuracy

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 a communicator at heart—energized by people, driven by purpose, and inspired by diversity. Leading international communication at Accuracy gives me the unique opportunity to collaborate with 17 country teams, each bringing distinct perspectives, cultures, and ideas. This global exposure constantly challenges me, sharpens my thinking, and fuels my passion for learning.

I’m also an avid reader who gravitates toward bold ideas that question the status quo and spark innovation. Whether it’s exchanging best practices across regions or unwinding with a thought-provoking book, I find renewal in learning and connection—it’s how I recharge and stay forward-focused.

  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’m an international marketing and communication specialist, and over the past decade, I’ve become increasingly focused on using those skills for meaningful impact. So, I started using communication as a strategic lever to drive sustainability. I believe communication, when used wisely, is a powerful force for change.

Since joining Accuracy, I’ve helped embed ESG into Accuracy global strategy—internally and externally. I’m especially proud of building high-impact partnerships (including with EmiratesGBC!), which enabled us to contribute to COP28 or to participate in NY Climate Week.

 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? 

While it’s inspiring to see so many women leading the charge in sustainability, the strong female representation can sometimes unintentionally create the perception that sustainability is a gendered issue. In reality, sustainability is a global imperative that requires the engagement of all—regardless of gender.

One way to overcome this is by translating high-level sustainability goals into concrete, operational action for all. At Accuracy, my team and I have done this by fostering strategic collaborations that drive meaningful engagement and long-term ESG visibility across our global network. In Dubai, for instance, our team partners annually with Dubai Charity Association — an initiative that perfectly aligns with the UAE’s 2025 Year of Community, encouraging purpose-driven, collective impact.

  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? 

Strategic communication plays a vital role in amplifying sustainable impact—internally to engage teams and externally to influence stakeholders. My role contributes by ensuring our ESG commitments are not only credible but actionable. To women aspiring to enter this field: don’t underestimate the value of your voice. Real change happens through collective effort—and every role, every initiative, every idea matters. Keep pushing boundaries, build alliances, and remember: even small actions can shift the narrative.

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.

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

Abu Dhabi bans groundwater well drilling in protected zones to conserve water resources

Abu Dhabi – To protect groundwater resources and prevent their depletion, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a resolution designating specific zones across the emirate where groundwater well drilling is prohibited. This initiative aims to regulate drilling activities and ensure the long-term preservation of groundwater quantity and quality in Abu Dhabi.

Read More