A LETTER FROM EGBC FAMILY

EmiratesGBC NEWS AND UPDATES

The MENA Green Building awards recognize outstanding achievements in sustainable building practices across the MENA region and are open to companies, organizations, and industry professionals demonstrating leadership in green building and climate action. With a range of award categories including Net Zero Building, Green Building Materials, Sustainable Design, Building Research, and more, this year’s edition invites applicants from across the public and private sectors to showcase their innovations and impact.

Winning or being shortlisted for the MENA Green Building Awards is a prestigious mark of excellence and a unique opportunity to gain regional recognition. The Awards will culminate in an exclusive gala dinner ceremony, where winners will be honored among peers, partners, and sustainability leaders.

🗓 Applications close on 15 July 2025

🔗 Link to Apply
📄 Applicant  Guidelines 

Successful Completion of EmiratesGBC x Holcim Training on Sustainable Construction

Emirates Green Building Council, in collaboration with Holcim Academy, successfully concluded its two-day in-person training titled “Exploring the Future of Sustainable Construction: Emphasis on Concrete” on 24–25 June 2025 at the EmiratesGBC Sustainability Lounge.

The training brought together professionals from across the built environment sector to deepen their understanding of sustainable construction practices. Participants engaged in expert-led sessions covering a range of critical topics including low-carbon cement and concrete, life cycle assessments, circular construction principles, and emerging innovations in the field.

This programme is part of EmiratesGBC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen industry capacity and accelerate the transition toward net-zero, resilient, and resource-efficient buildings in the region.

EmiratesGBC Participates in MENA Regional Workshop on Raising Climate Ambition in the Built Environment

Emirates Green Building Council participated in the Regional Workshop on “Raising the Ambition of the Building and Construction Sector in the NDC”, hosted as part of the MENA Regional NDC Scorecard for Sustainable Buildings initiative. The event brought together representatives from Green Building Councils across the WorldGBC MENA Regional Network, as well as regional stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government bodies, and industry leaders.

The workshop served as a vital platform for capacity building and dialogue around advancing building policies and climate advocacy at global, regional, and national levels.

Our CEO, Abduallatif AlBitawi, contributed significantly to the workshop through a presentation titled “Raising the Bar on Buildings: The UAE’s Ambition in its NDC,” where he highlighted the nation’s progress and commitments in sustainable development within the built environment.

In addition, he moderated an insightful panel discussion titled “National Pathways to Climate Action,”

This engagement reflects EmiratesGBC’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable building practices and climate action across the MENA region.

EmiratesGBC Hosts WorldGBC MENA Regional Network Meeting at the Sustainability Lounge

Emirates Green Building Council hosted the WorldGBC MENA Regional Network Meeting at our Sustainability Lounge, bringing together representatives from across the region to reflect, strategize, and collaborate on advancing sustainable building practices.

The session opened with a debrief of the Day 1 NDC Workshop, offering participants an opportunity to review key insights and outcomes. The agenda also featured a presentation and discussion on WorldGBC’s new global strategy, with a focus on its implications for the MENA region.

Participants engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas, drawing lessons from WorldGBC Europe’s advocacy successes, and collectively worked on shaping a Strategic Vision for the MENA Regional Network for 2025–2027. The meeting concluded with a deep dive into current and upcoming regional projects, reinforcing collaboration and alignment across national Green Building Councils.

PREVIOUS EMIRATESGBC EVENTS

Empowering Industry with Knowledge: Holcim Training on Sustainable Construction

Emirates Green Building Council, in collaboration with Holcim UAE, successfully hosted a two-day training session focused on advancing knowledge in low-carbon and circular construction practices. Held on 24–25 June 2025, the training brought together industry professionals committed to driving sustainability within the built environment.

The comprehensive agenda covered critical topics including life cycle assessments (LCA), embodied carbon, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), low-carbon concrete innovations, and principles of circular construction. Participants also explored the latest strategies and technologies supporting the UAE’s transition toward net zero buildings, and engaged in a hands-on case study activity to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.

Empowering Women in Sustainability: #IAmRemarkable Workshop & Sector-Wide Survey Launch

The Emirates Green Building Council Women’s Network recently hosted a powerful #IAmRemarkable workshop, exclusively for its members. Facilitated by Hannah Irfan Siddiqui, Founder of Larana, Inc. and a Certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Specialist, the session focused on breaking self-promotion barriers, building confidence, and celebrating achievements. Attendees left with practical tools to advocate for themselves professionally and personally—responding to a core development area voiced by the network.

🎯 In line with its mission to advance inclusivity in the green building sector, the Women’s Network is proud to launch its first-ever industry-wide survey—a critical step in shaping its upcoming White Paper on gender inclusivity in sustainability.

🔗 Take the Survey Now → Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

This open call is not just for women. We’re inviting all professionals—women and men—working in the built environment to contribute their voice. Your insights will guide meaningful action toward a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable industry.

Designing for Comfort and Creativity: Rethinking Outdoor Spaces in Schools Knowledge Sharing Webinar

Emirates Green Building Council—in collaboration with the MENA Alliance for Green Schools (MAGS)—hosted a thought-provoking webinar exploring how well-designed outdoor environments can enhance student well-being, thermal comfort, and educational outcomes.

The session brought together experts and practitioners to share academic insights, real-life case studies, and practical strategies for transforming outdoor school spaces into learning environments that nurture creativity, resilience, and a stronger connection with nature—especially in the context of climate adaptation in the MENA region.

Participants gained valuable knowledge on how reimagining outdoor areas can help schools better respond to both environmental and educational challenges.

Reflecting on the UAE Market Brief 2024 – Insights and Opportunities Knowledge Sharing Webinar

In celebration of World Environment Day, Emirates Green Building Council hosted a dynamic knowledge-sharing webinar titled “Reflecting on the UAE Market Brief 2024: Insights and Opportunities” on Thursday, 12 June 2025.

The session brought together key contributors and stakeholders to unpack the findings of the UAE Market Brief 2024, discuss sector-wide trends, and identify forward-looking opportunities for sustainable growth in the UAE’s built environment. Panelists highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies, regional collaboration, and innovation in accelerating the shift toward a low-carbon, resilient future.

UPCOMING EMIRATESGBC EVENTS

Emirates Green Building Council Networking Event

All EmiratesGBC members are invited to a networking event at the Sustainability Lounge on Friday, 18 July, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members, share insights, and explore collaboration in a relaxed and sustainable setting. We look forward to seeing you there!

registration link will be sent soon to all members.

Industry Partner Events

Ras Al Khaimah Investment & Business Summit (RAKIS)

The Ras Al Khaimah Investment and Business Summit returns for its 2nd edition on 19–20 November 2025 at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center. Join global leaders and investors to explore opportunities across Real Estate & Infrastructure, Tourism & Hospitality, Manufacturing & Business, and Investment & Finance.

EMIRATESGBC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP FOR MEMBERS BY MEMBERS

The EmiratesGBC 7th ( 2025 ) Technical Workshop

For members by members will be By Environas on the 11th of July, 11:00 Am – 12:00 Pm, Title:” Microclimatic Assessments and Urban Spaces “. 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 organisations in more than 70 countries worldwide where Emirates Green Building Council is the national operator in the United Arab Emirates.

Capital Centre Arjaan has recently been awarded the Green Key certification.

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

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!

Sadhana Bhaskar

Quantity Surveyor

Rider Levett Bucknall

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

Beyond my professional role, I’m a curious and upbeat person who thrives on new experiences and meaningful connections. I love playing board games, get a kick out of making new friends, and am a huge movie buff. I enjoy solving the tiniest of problems with creative business ideas and dream of becoming an entrepreneur someday. I find inspiration in everyday moments and love being around people who think differently. What drives me is the thrill of creativity, human connection, and the belief that even small ideas can spark something big when pursued with purpose.

  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?

My sustainability journey centres on aligning cost, carbon, and certification to help clients make informed, budget-conscious decisions. I’ve led the development of dashboards and trackers that monitor CAPEX, OPEX, and embodied carbon in parallel—providing transparency and supporting design-to-budget strategies. These tools have addressed key client concerns: integrating carbon with cost to refine design standards; flagging sustainability gaps early through structured credit tracking; and protecting green features during value engineering. With my LEED credentials and focus on data-driven decision-making, I enable projects to meet sustainability goals without compromising on budget or performance.

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? 

 Navigating a technical, cost-focused industry as a woman advocating for sustainability came with its challenges—especially when integrating environmental priorities into commercial conversations. Early on, I had to work hard to earn trust and demonstrate that sustainability and cost are not competing objectives. Today, I’m proud to be recognized as a trusted advisor for sustainability-related cost uplift decisions and to lead lifecycle costing initiatives across major projects. Clients now actively seek my input to align their ambitions with practical, data-driven strategies—proof that persistence, clarity, and expertise can shift mindsets and drive meaningful change.

  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 a catalyst—translating sustainability goals into actionable, cost-effective solutions that drive real change in the built environment. By turning abstract ambitions into clear strategies backed by data, I help projects deliver on both environmental and economic performance. To women in sustainability: your perspective is powerful. Be unapologetically curious, speak up even when it’s uncomfortable, and lead with both conviction and compassion. I’m committed to mentoring and uplifting others, because a more inclusive and informed industry is essential to building a sustainable future for all.

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.