A LETTER FROM EGBC FAMILY

EmiratesGBC Podcast Series: Two Episodes Now Available — Watch, Follow, and Join the Conversation

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability awareness and engagement, Emirates Green Building Council has launched its new podcast series, “20 Years of Impact on People and the Planet.”

With two episodes already released, the series explores key topics shaping the future of the built environment through conversations with industry leaders, experts, and community voices. The first season reflects on EmiratesGBC’s two-decade journey and highlights how green buildings contribute to healthier communities, improved well-being, affordability, resilience, and sustainable urban development.

Each episode offers insights, experiences, and inspiring perspectives from sustainability leaders, extending the conversation beyond events and into everyday life.

Watch the episodes now on YouTube and follow the EmiratesGBC channel to stay updated on upcoming conversations and new releases:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EmiratesGreenBuildingCouncil

EmiratesGBC Supports RAK Energy Summit 2026 as a Supporting Partner

Emirates Green Building Council is proud to support the RAK Energy Summit 2026 as a Supporting Partner, contributing to one of the region’s leading platforms for advancing sustainable energy solutions and innovation.

Taking place from 25–27 November 2026 at RAK Expo Centre, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, the third edition of the Summit will bring together global experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators to explore pathways toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and organised in partnership with Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), the Summit will address key priorities shaping decarbonisation efforts, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, future grids, AI and digitalisation, carbon markets, sustainable mobility, and solutions for hard-to-abate industries.

Through its participation, EmiratesGBC looks forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, fostering collaboration, and supporting the exchange of innovative ideas that accelerate the transition toward a sustainable built environment and a low-carbon future.

MENA Green Building Awards 2026: Applications Complete and Judging Underway

The MENA Green Building Awards 2026 has reached a significant milestone, with a record of 76 applications received from across five MENA countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Qatar, and Iraq. The strong participation reflects the growing momentum for sustainable development and the increasing commitment of organisations across the region to advancing green building practices.

Following the successful completion of the application phase, the Awards are going to enter the judging period, where a panel of industry experts will carefully evaluate submissions based on innovation, impact, sustainability performance, and contribution to the advancement of the built environment.

The shortlisted finalists will be announced at the end of September 2026, leading up to the highly anticipated MENA Green Building Awards Gala Dinner on 28 October 2026 at Dusit Thani Dubai, where the winners will be revealed and celebrated. The event will bring together sustainability leaders, industry professionals, and key stakeholders to recognise the achievements and inspiring contributions shaping a greener future for the region.

EmiratesGBC Annual Congress 2026: Beyond the Sandbox — From Benchmark to Breakthrough

Emirates Green Building Council is pleased to announce the 15th edition of the EmiratesGBC Annual Congress 2026, taking place on 27–28 October 2026 at Dusit Thani Dubai. Under the theme “20 Years, Beyond the Sandbox: From Benchmark to Breakthrough,” the Congress will mark two decades of the UAE’s green building journey while exploring the next phase of sustainable transformation across the built environment.

Bringing together 200+ professionals and 60+ speakers and contributors from government, finance, real estate, industry, academia, and research institutions, the two-day event will focus on moving from ambition to measurable action. Through a series of thought-provoking discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions, the Congress will explore five key themes: Performance, Data & Disclosure; Materials and Supply Chain Readiness; Finance, Policy & Delivery; Resilience, Resource Security & Nature-Based Solutions; and Collective Action, Accountability & What’s Next.

As the UAE advances its climate commitments and accelerates the transition toward a low-carbon future, EmiratesGBC Annual Congress 2026 will serve as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and accountability—bringing the sector together to identify practical pathways for scaling sustainable solutions and driving lasting impact.

Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) Announces Grace Period for Abu Dhabi Occupancy Certificates

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced a grace period for property owners and real estate operators in Abu Dhabi to comply with updated occupancy certificate requirements, giving them until September 16, 2026 to apply for or renew their certificates through the Municipal e-Permitting System. The move follows an official circular issued to landlords, real estate operators, and other stakeholders as part of the implementation of Administrative Decision No. (1) of 2024, which governs the Building Occupancy and Legalisation Certificate Programme.

PREVIOUS EMIRATESGBC EVENTS

EmiratesGBC Knowledge Sharing Webinar Explores Population Growth as a Design Imperative for the Built Environment

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge exchange and supporting sustainable urban development, Emirates Green Building Council hosted a Knowledge Sharing Webinar titled “Beyond Numbers: Population Growth as a Design Imperative for the Built Environment”  in recognition of World Population Day.

The session explored how population growth is increasingly becoming a key design challenge, requiring the built environment to move beyond viewing demographic change as a statistic and instead consider its impact on how cities, buildings, and communities are planned and developed. Bringing together regional Green Building Council representatives and technical experts, the webinar examined practical approaches to addressing resource efficiency, biodiversity, land use, mobility, housing, public spaces, and long-term resilience in growing urban contexts.

Moderated by Abdullatif Albitawi, CEO of Emirates Green Building Council, the discussion featured insights from Bushra Al Derbi PhD, Associate Sustainability & Environmental Specialist at Parsons Corporation; Nasra Nanda, CEO & ESG Lead at Kenya Green Building Society; and Tzesika Iliovits, Inclusive Design Consultant at Inline Consultancy. The speakers shared regional perspectives and real-world experiences on creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments that respond to the evolving needs of growing populations.

watch the recorded webinar  HERE

EMIRATESGBC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP FOR MEMBERS BY MEMBERS

The EmiratesGBC 8th (2026) Technical Workshop

For members by members will be by DEOS on the 14th of August . The workshop will be held in online format through Teams, invitation will be sent to all Members, and the link will be updated at the members portal.

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 Green Key Hotel Certified:

• Mercure Abu Dhabi Downtown

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

Designing Sustainable Educational Spaces

Khushboo Kumar

Individual Member, Emirates Green Building Council

Educational environments require thoughtful design solutions that support the well-being of students and teachers while meeting sustainability goals. Beyond reducing environmental impact, sustainable design can influence how users experience and interact with a space.
Green building strategies such as natural daylight, improved indoor air quality, appropriate material selection, and thermal comfort can contribute to healthier and more effective learning environments. However, these strategies are most successful when considered as part of the overall design process rather than added as separate elements.
Sustainability offers an opportunity to rethink how spaces are planned — balancing building performance with user experience. Through collaboration among designers, consultants, and project teams, educational spaces can become more than functional facilities; they can become environments that support students’ learning and well-being.

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!

Jennie Stallings

Partner/Commercial Manager

Chelseagreen

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. • • Originally from the US, I’ve proudly called Dubai home for the past 20 years. I’m naturally curious and believe the spaces we create shape how people live, work and thrive. Outside of work, I love travelling, cooking and, most recently, discovering pottery as a creative outlet. Through my many years supporting Surge, I’ve seen the life changing impact that access to clean water has on communities around the world. I’m inspired by people who challenge convention, embrace lifelong learning and leave things better than they found them, and I hope to do the same.

  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. • • I began my career as a residential designer, helping families create homes where they could live their best lives. After moving to Dubai, I transitioned into commercial interiors and realised people deserve that same sense of wellbeing at work. Today, I’m proud to be a Partner at ChelseaGREEN, a commercial furniture specialist creating Stimulating Spaces. My love of beautifully designed furniture has evolved into championing thoughtful design, ergonomics and sustainability. Becoming a WELL AP and WELL Faculty member has been a career highlight, allowing me to advocate for healthier, more sustainable workplaces across our industry.

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. • • One of the biggest challenges has been building credibility in an industry traditionally dominated by men, particularly as a woman working in the region 20 years ago. I overcame this by continuing to work hard, embracing new opportunities and never stopping learning. Leading with empathy, collaboration and a people first approach wasn’t always the norm, but I’ve learned that authenticity and consistency are strengths, not weaknesses. My triumph has been building a business alongside a partner who shares those same values, doing work I believe in, working with people I truly enjoy, and being surrounded by beautiful furniture every day.

  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 don’t think sustainability is about one big idea. It’s about making thoughtful decisions every day that are better for people, the environment and the future. If I can help clients see the value of creating healthier, longer lasting workplaces, then I’ve made a difference. My advice is simple. Work hard, stay curious and never stop learning. Ask questions, say yes to opportunities and don’t take yourself too seriously. You don’t have to be the expert in the room to make a difference.

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.