Preparations are well underway for our much anticipated 8^th Annual EmiratesGBC Congress. This year the Congress will be held on Wednesday 1st May and Thursday 2nd May with the theme “Circling in on Zero: Circular Economy in the Built Environment”.

The Congress will explore how the circular economy within the building and construction sector will support the UAE to decarbonise and achieve the sustainable development goals of Vision 2021. Building on last year’s landmark Congress on Net Zero Buildings and Cities, we will continue the discussion by focusing on how a shift to a circular economy is integral to a net-zero carbon future and discuss different aspects of the green building lifecycle; energy & water management, sustainable building materials, net-zero energy buildings and embodied carbon and waste management.

The second day of the Congress will be dedicated to a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Closing the Loop’, which explores global case studies that highlight the urgent need to switch to a circular economy.

We are pleased to announce that we will be joined at the Congress by Lisa Bate, Chairperson of the World Green Building Council.

We are also proud to be supported by our Platinum Partner, Majid Al Futtaim. We would like to extend our gratitude for their continued support of our flagship event.

Bringing together international and regional experts the Annual EmiratesGBC Congress is an important platform for government, private and public sector representatives to discuss the latest green building market developments and trends. Register today to secure your place at the flagship Green Building Congress in the UAE.

If you are interested in taking a more pivotal supporting role in our Congress, we would be pleased to invite you to sponsor our Congress through a careful selection of sponsor offers and benefits to assist you in your final decision.  For more information on sponsorship opportunities please visit our website here or contact the EmiratesGBC office engagement@emiratesgbc.org

Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) launched the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA) Project Report on January 10th.  In partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, EmiratesGBC carried the study as the selected demonstration project, benchmarking the energy and water performance of Dubai hotels, schools, and malls, as part of Dubai’s commitment to the BEA.

The results showed that:

• The best performing schools consume 61% less energy compared to the worst performers
• Lowest consuming malls use 35% less energy than the highest consumers
• Best performers in the hotel industry are 58% more energy efficient

EmiratesGBC’s BEA project team assessed the energy and water performance of existing buildings against similar buildings within the same typology as part of the study. A total of 121 properties, including 85 hotels, 27 schools, and 9 malls, submitted data on their energy and water use.

As a sign of commitment and appreciation, EmiratesGBC has sent out tailored scorecards to the schools, hotels, and malls that participated in the BEA Benchmarking Report. The scorecards highlight the performance of the properties and support them in deciding where urgent action is needed to increase efficiency and building performance.

Click here to read the BEA Benchmarking Report and download the fact sheets.

The EmiratesGBC Net Zero Centre of Excellence was established as a think-tank and accelerator to provide an important platform for government, academia and the private sector to learn and share knowledge on how to advance net zero carbon buildings in the UAE.

This year, we are focusing on market transition and leadership under the Net Zero Centre of Excellence programme.  Our recently launched partnership with the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), EmiratesGBC ILFI will work toward the development of ILFI’s Zero Energy (ZE) and Zero Carbon (ZC) Certifications that will be adapted for the UAE market.  the Council will act as the exclusive auditor of the two certifications in UAE.

We started the process by approaching building experts to answer a short survey which will assess the feasibility of ILFI’s ZE and ZC certifications in the UAE. The answers to the survey are intended to help EmiratesGBC assess the market readiness for these certifications as determined by the ILFI’s technical requirements and gather feedback based on the responses.

If you are working on a net-zero energy project,  please email us at netzero@emiratesgbc.org, the first 10 pilot projects in the UAE that apply to ILFI’s ZE and ZC certifications will receive a 50% discount.

The partnership with ILFI delivers on the objectives of the Centre of Excellence to engage as many entities as possible in this global movement toward net zero.

We encourage our members and partners to join the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment in 2019 as we continue to advocate for regional players to join this highly effective mission toward worldwide decarbonisation.

Ras Al Khaimah Municipality & Emirates Green Building Council are pleased to invite members, partners and industry stakeholders to a workshop on energy efficiency programs being introduced throughout the Emirate. The workshop will be held on the 15th April at 9:30 am in DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah.

During the workshop representatives from Ras Al Khaimah Municipality will introduce the recently launched Barjeel, the Green Building Regulations, and the incentives for early adopters. The workshop will provide an overview of the Retrofit Program Framework including incentives for energy auditors and ESCOs establishing a presence in the emirate. Both programs are part of the RAK Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 that targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings, and 20% share from renewable energy by 2040.

To register to attend please click here.

Emirates Coalition for Green Schools is a national platform for the advocacy of Green Schools in the UAE. The coalition aims to bring together stakeholders and raise awareness to achieve its vision that every child in the UAE learns in a green school within this generation. As part of the coalition activities Earlier this month we were invited to Ajman University to meet a group of architecture students to discuss the goals of the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools initiative, and deliver a lecture as part of their course on Green School Design. It was great to see how these future leaders are incorporating sustainability into their projects. The lecture was given by EmiratesGBC board member, Dr. Nada Chami, Saint-Gobain who put the students through their paces with a quiz on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

We invite you to take the quiz by following this link.

Once again Emirates Green Building Council will be holding the Annual Green Building Student Forum in its 4th cycle hosted by EmiratesGBC strategic partner Heriot-Watt University on 9^th April at 2 pm.

As in previous years, we will have a fantastic lineup of industry speakers who will be sharing career insights and advice to students with an interest in sustainability. The session is open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at UAE institutions and is particularly suited to those taking engineering and architecture courses.

The session will include an open forum and students will be encouraged to participate by asking questions and joining the discussion. It will also be an opportunity for students to learn how they can become involved in EmiratesGBC as student members and the 2019 Dr. Owainati Student Excellence Award which opens for applications later in April.

We kindly request that you share this opportunity with any interested students in your network and students can register at the following link.

This event is for students currently enrolled in a UAE academic institution only.

On 19^th March EmiratesGBC members and partners joined a seminar on the updated LEED v4.1 O&M for Existing Buildings which was facilitated by Deepthy K B, Regional Director, Market Development, GBCI Middle East Markets.

The seminar provided an overview of the latest version of the LEED rating system for existing buildings: LEED v4.1 O&M Existing buildings and the platforms available for monitoring data. Deepthy provided regional and UAE case studies as a reference point and answered questions from the audience on ongoing projects.

In partnership with GBCI, EmiratesGBC will be hosting workshops and webinars throughout the year on LEED and other green building regulations. These will be announced to our mailing list. To find out more about LEED and LEED credentials through USGBC and GBCI visit the website.

Thank you to all the members and partners who joined us on the 20^th of March for a tour of The Sustainable City. The tour was led by Karim Al Jisr from EGBC corporate member SEE Nexus, who gave a comprehensive overview of the development and the intricate features of this sustainable community.

On the tour, we were given interesting insights into the different aspects of the community and its infrastructure,  including the solar-powered villas, community spaces & amenities, sustainable transport solutions and urban farming. The tour demonstrated the success of the Sustainable City and the big strides SEE Nexus has been taking to create a community which adheres to all the standards we deserve of health and well being.  It is a true example of a world-leading sustainable development here in our own UAE!

This year marks the 7th cycle of the Annual MENA Green Building Awards, a platform created to raise awareness of best practice in the building and construction sector and celebrate achievements, success stories across the region.

This year, in response to feedback from participants and members, the awards cycle will open for applications in Spring 2019 and close in the summer.

Announcements on the categories and criteria for 2019 will be made in April 2019. The winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner which will be held in October 2019. If you are interested in getting involved in the awards through sponsorship, then please get in contact via engagement@emiratesgbc.org

Please visit our website to view the awards sponsorship packages.

In the run-up to the 2019 MENA Green Building Awards cycle, we have been showcasing each month a winner from the 2018 MENA Green Building Awards which were held in May last year.

This month we will be taking a look back at the Dr. Owanati Student Excellence award that runs alongside the MENA Green Building Awards. The Dr. Owainati Student Excellence Award, sponsored by EmiratesGBC Co-Founder Dr. Sadek Owainati, specifically rewards a student from a recognized university in the UAE who has conducted exceptional research work in a subject related to green buildings in the Middle East. The Dr. Owainati Student Excellence Award is open to an academically accepted thesis and/or research paper submitted for a post-graduate degree or final year undergraduate university research project or dissertation in the United Arab Emirates.

The 2018 winner was Hiba Najini for her study on the Techno-Economic Assessment of Green Building Codes in the United Arab Emirates.

The work submitted by Hiba presented the potential of improvising current green building regulations adopted across the UAE by preparing technical and economic appraisal. It looked at the improvisation of the regulations economically to achieve the same desired results or optimize the performance using the identified quantitative benchmarking techniques. The quantification of energy and water design parameters used Pearson’s Correlation R-Test, Sensitivity Analysis, Building Simulation to identify direct and indirect energy savings.

Congratulations to Hiba Najini and best of luck with her future studies and career!

Congratulations to our shortlisted students also: Nawal al Hanaee for the project Implementing selected passive cooling designs on the housing typologies: a Case study of Fujairah in UAE and Worood Adel Shbeikat for the project: Building Energy Efficiency in Ras Al Khaimah (Biogas plant & engineering innovation center).

To find out more about the 2018 Dr. Owanati Student Excellence Award and the MENA Green Building Awards and category winners, take a look at the awards brief and continue to support the MENA Green Building Awards through social media by using the hashtag #MENAGBAwards. If you are interested in getting involved in the awards through sponsorship, then please get in contact via engagement@emiratesgbc.org

Green Key, a standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry, was launched by the Danish Hotel & Restaurant Association (HORESTA) in collaboration with other partners in 1994, today around 3,000 establishments in almost 60 countries worldwide carry the awarded label, making Green Key the global leading eco-label for hotels and other tourism facilities.

The Green Key programme is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education. In the United Arab Emirates, the Green Key is managed by Emirates Green Building Council.  25 years is a feat we are proud to have contributed to!

The successful Nine Year partnership between Radisson Hotel Group and Green Key has been extended for another three years to include the hotel group’s hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

Since 2010, the partnership has led to more than 235 Radisson Hotel Group properties in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to become Green Key eco-labelled. This makes Green Key the preferred eco-label partner of Radisson Hotel Group, with around 80% of the group’s hotels in EMEA region being certified. The extension of the collaboration will now extend over to the Asia-Pacific region (APAC).

Daikin Middle East and Africa received the Dubai Chamber CSR Label for the second year in a row. The Dubai Chamber CSR Label is a clear and voluntary standard for CSR implementation in UAE and the GCC which recognizes companies who adopt best business practices and conform with international CSR standards and guidelines. Since its launch in 2010, the Dubai Chamber CSR Label has grown in significance to become the highest level of recognition for the CSR efforts of businesses in the Middle East.

The Council would like to salute Daikin’s efforts towards leadership and sustainable development in the UAE.

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The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Khalifa University of Science and Technology to further advocate environmental sustainability in the UAE.

Khalifa Univesity and EmiratesGBC will cooperate on initiatives, programmes and events to promote green buildings as well as drive sustainability as an essential part of the Council’s priority to engage and educate UAE students on sustainability practices within the built environment. The strategic partnership will establish a platform for the two entities to share their network to enable greater awareness and swift adoption of green building principals to a rising generation interested in sustainability and integrating it to their education fabric.

EmiratesGBC offers students to join the Council under the student membership scheme.   If you are a student and interested in membership with the Council, please contact engagement@emiratesgbc.org

EmiratesGBC is pleased to inform you that Ras Al Khaimah Municipality recently launched Barjeel, the Green Building Regulations of Ras Al Khaimah, and provides incentives for early Barjeel adopters.

Barjeel was approved by the Executive Council of Ras Al Khaimah and a one-year pilot period started on January 29, 2019. Buildings in line with Barjeel are expected to consume 30% less energy and water with minimal impact on construction costs.

During the pilot period, compliance with Barjeel is voluntary and Ras Al Khaimah Municipality provides incentives, in the form of reduced building permit fees, to encourage voluntary participants. The first five Barjeel compliant building permits are completely exempt from the final building permit fees, and a staggered discount is provided thereafter.

The incentives are applicable to projects within the jurisdiction of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.

We encourage everyone to use this opportunity and contribute to the successful launch of Barjeel. For more information on Barjeel and its incentive scheme please click here. For the full Barjeel regulations and the Barjeel tool please visit http://mun.rak.ae/en/pages/rules-regulations.aspx.

Please contact the Barjeel team in Ras Al Khaimah Municipality at barjeel@mun.rak.ae for further information.

EmiratesGBC contributed to the WorldGBC blog on the Occasion of World Water Day, which was celebrated on Friday, March 22nd.

World Water Day is an annual UN observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. For more information, visit https://www.worldwaterday.org/

World Water Day,  calls for “water for all by 2030” under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number six.  We invite you to read the full blog as a reminder of how precious water and we must strive to protect and treasure it.  Visit the WorldGBC website by clicking here.

Registration is open for the 2019 training schedule of the Building Retrofit Training Program. The training program teaches the fundamentals of Building Retrofit specific for the Middle East region and offers the opportunity to become an EmiratesGBC certified Building Retrofit Specialist after successful completion of the Advanced course and examination.

EmiratesGBC members and partners will receive a 20% discount on the registration fees.

The program is in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) and offers two levels of training course:

• Advanced Building Retrofit Training Course: This two day course is perfect for engineers and technical experts with prior experience or currently undertaking retrofit projects who wish to enhance and streamline their knowledge of retrofit principles and methods. Participants of the course will undertake an examination which will allow them to become an EmiratesGBC certified Building Retrofit Specialist.
• Introductory Building Retrofit Training: For non-technical professionals looking for an overview of Building Retrofit methods. Led by expert facilitators, this one day course provides knowledge of sustainability to industry professionals looking to understand the fundamentals of building retrofit.Further information about the courses and eligibility guidelines can be found on the website.  We invite you to visit the Building Retrofit Training webpage to register. EmiratesGBC can also schedule in-house training for groups of 10 or more, please contact events@emiratesgbc.org to request a proposal.Hear what some of our previous participants had to say about the course:‘I took BRT because I am a non-technical professional entering the retrofit sector in Dubai, working on demand-side management. This course gave me a solid overview and understanding of building/villa/structure from a retrofit perspective and the current legislation and trends in Dubai.’

EmiratesGBC is pleased to be a Supporting Orgainsation for the 5th edition of the Annual RetrofitTech MENA Summit & Awards (9-10 April 2019, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, UAE),

The event will bring together senior government decision-makers, retrofit stakeholders and energy experts who are looking for latest retrofit technology and smart innovation to help them implement sustainable and energy efficient projects.

We are pleased to announce that EmiratesGBC Technical Manager, Majd Fayyad will be join the conference program to present on Energy and Water Performance of Dubai hotels, schools and malls.

The event will:

• Examine the Ministry of Energy’s federal government buildings retrofit programme
• Discover new opportunities in UAE’s retrofit market
• Learn about the latest projects, updates, and financing strategies as well as new technologies
• Network with government, developers, consultants, financiers, BOAs, FMs, ESCOs, green technology providers and legal firms
• Gain a competitive advantage in the UAE’s retrofit market by showcasing your solution to buyers
• Participate in discussions on new strategies, technologies, techniques and processes to reduce electricity and water consumption

An exclusive 10% discount is available for Emirates Green Building Council members! Simply email michelle.petiza@acm-events.com to book your seat

For more information, download the agenda here: http://bit.ly/2tSxENn.

We are delighted to be supporting the 1st Annual KGBC Green Building Conference & Expo discussing “Sustainable Homes and Green Living” on 2-3 April 2019 at Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center (Conference Hall) in Kuwait.

This year’s conference will address major sustainability issues and their impact on driving a more resilient building environment, sustainable residential communities, neighborhoods and cities for Kuwait, the Gulf Region and beyond. The conference is targeting to lead a debate on not just our sustainable housing infrastructure but the implementation of a greener lifestyle that every Kuwaiti citizen can adhere to. A list of high profile local and regional speakers has been identified and confirmed.

This year’s conference will provide participants with an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest green building market developments in Kuwait and the region, meet green building movement leaders and discuss opportunities for business or collaboration. More info & agenda, kindly follow the link here.

For Registration: follow the link: http://www.kuwaitgbc.com/the-conference-registration-form/

We encourage you to improve your lifestyle, not just for today but for all of 2019, by adopting an EmiratesGBC Green Building Tooltip. As we enter April in the UAE, a heat wave follows gently. Naturally, our response is to use more water, whether it be through drinking, showering more or washing your clothes more frequently.  This month we urge you to use the washer with a full (not overloaded) load.  Also, you can benefit from the thermal heat trapped inside your homes by setting up a drying rack inside, instead of using a dryer.

The EmiratesGBC Green Building Tooltips is a rich online platform serving to further educate the industry and community on simple green building practices. The interactive designs cover three different building typologies, showcasing home, school, and office buildings.  The initiative is powered by BASF and Legrand, EmiratesGBC board members underlining their commitment to promoting sustainability, and is supported by Taqati whose mission is tied to achieving Dubai’s sustainability goals.

We urge you to visit the Green Building Tooltips on our website to test out this valuable tool and pursue a greener lifestyle whether it be at home, school or the office.

The 2019 March Technical Workshop was delivered by EmiratesGBC Member, Hira Industries LLC on the optimization of the insulation on pipes and ducts in cooling systems.

Choosing the optimal insulation thickness affects more than just condensation; it has an impact on the energy consumption of the cooling system. As air conditioning in the UAE contributes up to 70% of the total electricity consumption of buildings, a reduction in the energy consumption levels would result in huge savings.

The workshop invited a very interactive session with many constructive discussions and input from our members.

EmiratesGBC Technical Workshops are a member benefit, they are a great platform to engage with like-minded individuals and industry leaders.

The 2019 April Technical Workshop will be delivered by EmiratesGBC Member, Saint Gobain on April 23^rd.  Stay tuned as we will be sending more details of the session along with the invitations.

Are you an EmiratesGBC member or partner and would like to facilitate a technical workshop? Our calendar is open for May 2019 onwards; we encourage you to bring your topic suggestions forth.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to address, we would like to hear from you.  Email us at technicalworkshops@emiratesgbc.org.

This month’s Academy Feature highlights a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative, in collaboration with UN Environment.

The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Spring 2019 reveals details of the industry and government efforts to tackle plastic waste and pollution

Interesting facts you can find in the report include:

• Recycled content in packaging to increase to an average of 25% by 2025, compared with the current global average of just 2%.
• Leading businesses and governments will stop using problematic and unnecessary plastic – including PVC and single-use plastic straws and carrier bags – by the end of this year
• 40 brands and retailers are piloting or expanding reuse and refill schemes.

Click here to read more.

If you are interested in using EmiratesGBC office space for a workshop or meeting, please get in touch with us at 04-3468244 or send us an email to office@emiratesgbc.org. The room is fully equipped with AV and provides a nice environment for focused meetings or training workshops.

Click here to learn more about how the Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings can potentially save your facility and/or home millions in utility bills and reduced operational costs.  Copies are available in both English and Arabic for purchase at the EmiratesGBC office.

EmiratesGBC also offers a free copy of the Technical Guidelines, as part of your registration and participation in the Building Retrofit Training Workshop. For more details, please click here to complete registration.

Dubai – MENA Herald: The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, has been chosen as the winner in the Representative Entity category of the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award at the 25th Business Excellence Awards ceremony held at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena Ballroom.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, these prestigious Awards include the Dubai Quality Award (DQA), Dubai Human Development Award (DHDA) and the Dubai Business Excellence Scheme (DSES). The ceremony is hosted annually by the Dubai Economic Department (DED), and the Awards honour and recognise the sustained high-quality performance, achievements and excellence of various businesses and entities.

EmiratesGBC was awarded for the Representative Entity category recognition, which falls under the broader framework of the DQA, for its noteworthy role in engaging, offering benefits and creating value for its members.

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In its eighth year, the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) Congress will host experts and stakeholders from the building and construction industry to discuss the role of a circular economy in promoting sustainable development. Building on last year’s landmark Congress on Net Zero Buildings and Cities, the discussion will focus on how a shift to a circular economy is integral to a net zero carbon future in the UAE and the region.

Organised by EmiratesGBC, an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, the Congress will be held under the theme ‘Circling in on Zero: Circular Economy in the Built Environment’, on May 1-2, 2019 at the Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre hotel.

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Al Abbar outlines homegrown Emirati consultancy’s growth plans in latest episode of Construction Week

In the latest episode of Construction Week Viewpoint, Saeed Al Abbar, managing director of homegrown Emirati engineering consultancy AESG, shares his insights on the shifting roles of construction consultancies in the GCC; the ever-pressing need to build greener developments; and his work as chairman of Emirates Green Building Council on net-zero developments.

Sitting down with Jack Ball, Construction Week‘s senior reporter, Al Abbar also discusses AESG’s decision to open a full-time office in Saudi Arabia in May 2018, adding to its roster of offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and London.

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DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 10th Mar, 2019) Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is promoting the adoption of efficient resource management practices, which can lead to substantial annual savings for hotel properties.

The process of ‘retrofitting’ has become a key focus for the city’s tourism sector and represents Dubai Tourism’s ongoing commitment to working closely with its industry partners, as part of its Dubai Sustainable Tourism, DST, initiative. Building on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a leading sustainable city, DST underscores the importance of joint collaborations between developers and energy service companies, ESCOs, to reduce carbon emissions by 16 percent by 2021, in line with the Carbon Abatement Strategy.

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