Dubai: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) marked its 20th anniversary by outlining a renewed strategy to support the UAE's Net Zero 2050 goals and advance sustainable development across the built environment.
According to Emirates News Agency, the council's anniversary gala, themed "Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainable Impact," brought together industry leaders, partners, and government representatives to review two decades of achievements. The event also saw the unveiling of new initiatives aimed at promoting low-carbon and resilient buildings. One of the key initiatives announced was the upcoming launch of "The Sustainability Lounge," a podcast series designed to broaden public engagement on sustainable buildings and lifestyles by bringing discussions on sustainability beyond industry audiences.
Khalid Bushnaq, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, emphasized the urgency of climate goals, stating that sustainability is now a core responsibility rather than a luxury or an afterthought. He expressed pride in the foundational role EmiratesGBC has played and highlighted the need for bold action to ensure the built environment supports an equitable and sustainable future for all.
EmiratesGBC's forward-looking mission is rooted in two decades of foundational achievements. Since its inception in 2006, the council has been a pivotal force in sustainable development, recognized as the 8th green building council by the World Green Building Council. Its leadership role is further solidified through the establishment of the WorldGBC MENA Network and the launch of the respected MENA Green Building Awards.
The council has also been instrumental in shaping the UAE's regulatory landscape. Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy have led to the creation of national retrofitting guidelines and energy benchmarking frameworks.
Dr. Habiba Al Mar'ashi, Co-Founder, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of EmiratesGBC, highlighted the council's role in transforming sustainability from a niche concept to a core industry principle over the past two decades. She called for continued collaboration and innovation to build resilient and regenerative communities for future generations.
EmiratesGBC CEO Abdullatif Albitawi underscored the council's role as a critical convener, creating platforms for solutions to Net Zero ambitions. The MENA Green Building Awards will continue to highlight regional innovations, while the Annual Congress will foster industry collaboration and learning.
The 20th-anniversary celebration, held under the Platinum Sponsorship of Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), served as the official launchpad for an intensified focus on the future, reaffirming the industry's shared commitment to accelerating innovations and policies needed to meet the UAE's ambitious climate targets.