Collaboration between UAE Government, Industry and Academia

The first Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) Annual Congress has called for closer collaboration between the government, industry and academic institutions to promote sustainable development by adopting strategies that promote energy efficiencies and encourage sustainable built environments. Emirates GBC is an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE. Its first Annual Congress was held over two days at Grand Hyatt Dubai, and was attended by over 100 delegates from around the world.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, inaugurated the Congress, held under the theme, Innovations in Sustainability.' "Under the vision entitled Green Economy for Sustainable Development outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE aims to become a world leader as well as centre for the export and re-export of green products and technologies, and to maintain a sustainable environment to support long-term economic growth," said Al Tayer. "Currently, the combined power generation and desalinated water production in Dubai are most efficiently produced using natural gas and LNG as the primary fuel (99%) and supplemented by liquid fuel-diesel oil as a secondary fuel (1%). Dubai will diversify its fuel mix by adding new capacity, such as clean coal generating 12 percent, 5 percent from renewable solar energy, 12 percent from nuclear power and 71 percent from gas by 2030," said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer also urged participants to promote a conservation culture which has to be applied in all processes, supporting sustainability as a long-term objective. "Adopting power and water conservation measures is essential for a sustainable future and the Green Building initiative is a key measure for Dubai," he said. Welcoming the delegates, Adnan Sharafi, Chairman of Emirates GBC said, "The UAE's visionary leadership places foremost importance to promoting sustainable development. By implementing legislative measures and adhering to energy efficiency best practices, we can potentially achieve 70% energy reductions across its built environment. The first annual EGBC Congress underlined the need for greater collaboration between governmental departments, industry leaders, academic institutions and the public to further strengthen sustainable growth." "We are privileged to host distinguished speakers representing the entire construction industry supply chain. Through the Congress, Emirates GBC is further fostering public and private sector collaboration to help achieve the goals of the UAE's green vision.' The Congress served as platform to discuss the overall strategy and the efforts by various organisations in promoting a sustainable built environment," he added.

The opening session of the Congress was addressed by Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, Eng. Mohammed Badri, Acting Director-General of the Emirates Standardization '&' Metrology Authority, HE Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director of the Development Review and Estidama of Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and Jane Henley, CEO of the World Green Building Council. At the Congress, the winner of a research paper competition held by EmiratesGBC and the British University in Dubai, had the opportunity to present his work. The competition was open to all EmiratesGBC members and University students to present a technical paper under the theme, Green Innovations in Built Environment.' In addition, selected works from a poster and scale model competition were also showcased at the event. The initiative, in collaboration with Jumeirah Rotary Club, involved school students from Dubai and Sharjah. The objective was to involve the future generation to be part of the change process by encouraging them to think green' and adopt environment-friendly practices.

At the Gala Dinner on the first night of the Congress, Emirates GBC Vice Chairman Jeff Willis announced the criteria of the EGBC Awards, which aims to establish a regional world-class model for the sustainable built environment. In all, 14 awards will be presented to public and private organisations in the MENA region that demonstrate clear commitment and implementation of sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and structures. A special award sponsored by Dr. Sadek Owainati, Co-founder of Emirates GBC, will be given to students who demonstrate exceptional performance in this field. The Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006.