• For the second consecutive year, event to held under the patronage of Ministry of Climate Change & Environment
• Held under the theme ‘Targeting Zero: A Vision for Future Cities,’ the annual event is the first in the region to explore a move from net zero carbon buildings to net zero cities
• Sub-themes of the Congress focus on the values that mark the Year of Zayed
• Sponsorship opportunities for the event to be held on October 9 are open

Dubai, UAE; July 15, 2018: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will mark a regional first, with an in-depth discussion on scaling up the Net Zero Energy Building movement to create net zero cities at its seventh annual Congress to be held under the theme ‘Targeting Zero: A Vision for Future Cities’, on October 9, 2018 at the Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre hotel.

The event is being held for the second consecutive year under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, mandated to promote advancements toward a green economy in the UAE.

The Annual EmiratesGBC Congress brings together international experts in diverse aspects of energy management and sustainable development to discuss strategies for promoting sustainable built environments for the cities of the future in line with UAE Vision 2021 and the objectives of the Paris COP21 Climate Agreement. The event aims to influence sustainable practices in the UAE’s built environment and to help identify key industry challenges and solutions as well as catalyse innovation in green building practices to create new models that support the country’s efforts to be more sustainable.

This year’s Congress will, for the first time, discuss best practices and the road map to go beyond net zero carbon buildings to achieve global emission targets, and to drive discussion on net zero cities that help ensure the viability and liveability of the cities in the future. Net zero carbon buildings are defined by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) as those that are highly energy efficient and fully powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources. They can effectively support achieving the Paris Agreement levels of global emission reductions.

The 2018 Congress’ discussions will focus on three sub-themes that are closely related to honouring and promoting the values associated with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the nation, as the UAE marks the Year of Zayed this year to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary.

The first sub-theme: Inspired Cities reflects the Wisdom of Sheikh Zayed that supported the UAE’s social and economic transformation into a forward-looking, visionary nation. The second theme: Collaborative Cities focuses on the value of Respect that was advocated by the late leader to establish a collaborative, vibrant and diverse nation for all. Finally, the third sub-theme: Holistic Cities mirrors the value of Sustainability which was an integral component of Sheikh Zayed’s vision to shape the UAE into a sustainably developing country that respects the environment and positively caters to the needs of future generations.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman, Emirates Green Building Council, said: “It is forecasted that by 2050, almost 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities. Within this same timescale and in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement there is a need to decarbonise the global economy by 2050, which necessitates a pathway of developing zero carbon cities. This challenge and unique opportunity forms the heart of the conversation that we aim to steer at the Annual EmiratesGBC Congress. We are honoured to host the Congress under the patronage of Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for the second consecutive year and we are looking forward to welcoming a line-up of experts who will present our audiences with compelling insights on how Net Zero Energy Buildings hold the answer for the growth and survival our cities in the future.”

The event has already received strong support from industry stakeholders with Majid Al Futtaim as Venue Sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities are available for Platinum, Gold, Silver & Other Sponsors, who are assured of a multitude of benefits, especially in brand reputation building.

Registration to the Congress is now open with a fee of AED 350 for members and partners of EmiratesGBC as well as the Supporting Associations of the Congress, and AED 500 for non-members and AED 200 for students. Registration fee is subject to 5% VAT. For more details, contact events@emiratesgbc.org or call on 04 346 8244.

EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. It has also developed a suite of activities, inclusive of networking events, technical workshops, focus days and facilitated training based around specific issues related to the built-environment that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community, and the wider Middle East.

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