Dubai, UAE; October 30, 2011: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, underlined various strategies that integrated demand and supply side management to reduce the carbon footprint of the UAE, at the Smart Energy Middle East Conference held in Dubai.

Delivering the keynote address to an audience of professionals from across diverse business sectors, Saeed Alabbar, EmiratesGBC Vice Chairman, focused on the value improvements that can be achieved through a sustainable energy management strategy covering the entire supply chain.

He said: “Global studies have shown that one of the most effective approaches to energy reductions and combating climate change is through demand side management. However, to make a tangible change in carbon footprint reduction – and UAE has amongst the highest carbon footprints in the world – we need to integrate supply side energy management policies too.”

“Any smart energy strategy must include in its approach, the potential savings that can be made through energy efficient practices in building development. By applying sustainable building practices, right from design to implementation, significant energy savings can be made, which contribute to the overall smart energy management initiatives,” he explained.

Alabbar added: “EmiratesGBC is at the forefront in raising awareness about the need to drive sustainable built environments. We facilitate industry best practices through active networking and industry engagement. Smart Energy Middle East served as an ideal platform to emphasise on the need for industry partnerships to promote sustainable built environments and in combating climate change.”

Smart Energy Middle East, which brought together industry leaders to deliberate approaches to smart energy management, focused on the three pillars of smart energy – energy sustainability, operational excellence and customer engagement.

EmiratesGBC hosts monthly networking events for members and non-member and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. The Council has developed a suite of activities including technical workshops, focus days and seminars and workshops on aspects related to the entire supply chain and green building concepts.

EmiratesGBC is inviting corporates and individuals, who are dedicated to sustainable solutions and practices, to join them. Members in the Council gain significant benefits that include taking part in networking events and comprehensive programmes led by industry leaders as well as presenting on behalf of the Council in speaking engagements, in addition to a range of other benefits.
To become a member, please log on to: https://www.emiratesgbc.org/egbc/becomemember.htm

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Note to Editors

About Emirates Green Building Council:
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006. EmiratesGBC is an organization that promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council. EmiratesGBC currently has around 260 members in the UAE which represents 1000s of individuals interested and involved in Green Building in the UAE and the region. In addition, EmiratesGBC members receive discounts on a number of programmes such as those related to conferences, seminars, training and green building events.

For further information, please contact:
Mohammed Al Tawil / Sheila Baldago
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507600
m.altawil@asdaa.com /  s.baldago@asdaa.com