Our Communications

There are so many exciting initiatives and achievements delivered by Green Building Councils and Regional Networks that it can be hard to stay on top of them all! Here you will find the latest news and media related to the Middle East and North Africa Regional Network and its Green Building Councils.

Media

The Hero for Net Zero in UAE? The Emirates Green Building Council

Tue, 12th Nov 2019

How is the building and construction sector in the UAE moving towards net zero? WorldGBC's MENA Regional Head Mohammad Asfour outlines the initiatives EmiratesGBC is undertaking to enable the nation to transition to a net zero carbon built environment.

EmiratesGBC honours winners of the 2019 MENA Green Building Awards

Thu, 17th Oct 2019

The annual Awards honour excellence in green building initiatives in 16 categories including newly introduced 'Zero Building of the Year’ for advancing net zero energy in built environments. See the full list of winners here.

Wishing you a pleasant stay: Why Dubai’s hotels are upgrading on energy efficiency

Fri, 9th Aug 2019

Hotels in Dubai are reaping the rewards of saving energy and water, thanks to Emirates GBC's commitment to the Building Efficiency Accelerator programme to improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings in the UAE.

2019 MENA Green Building Awards - application deadline extended

Mon, 22nd Jul 2019

Emirates Green Building Council has extended the deadline for applications for its annual MENA Green Building Awards to 10 August 2019 (Midnight UAE time). This year, the awards include a new category for Zero Building/Zero Building Design of the Year.

UN-Habitat, WorldGBC and Chatham House join forces to develop a regional agenda for sustainable recovery, regeneration and reconstruction for the Arab region

Thu, 30th May 2019

The MoU will lay the groundwork for a regional agenda for sustainable recovery, regeneration and reconstruction in which the rebuilt environment contributes to healthy, resource secure and climate resilient societies.

Applications now open for 2019 MENA Green Building Awards

Thu, 16th May 2019

Emirates Green Building Council has opened applications for its annual MENA Green Building Awards. The application window will run from 1 May – 27 July 2019. This year, the awards include a new category for Zero Building/Zero Building Design of the Year.

EmiratesGBC wins Dubai Quality Award for excellence in creating value for its members

Tue, 2nd Apr 2019

The Emirates Green Building Council has been chosen as the winner in the Representative Entity category of the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award at the 25^th Business Excellence Awards for its noteworthy role in engaging, offering benefits and creating value for its members.

World Water Day: Every drop counts in a region where water is the most precious natural resource

Fri, 22nd Mar 2019

To mark World Water Day, Emirates GBC shares insights on what water means to the UAE, an arid and desert climate, and how the country and the green building industry are taking steps to conserve this precious resource.

Constructing a greener world can't happen without women

Fri, 8th Mar 2019

Despite construction still being a male-dominated industry, more than 50% of the CEOs running Green Building Councils are women, WorldGBC CEO Cristina tells the Thomson Reuters Foundation on International Women's Day 2019.

5 reasons to attend MENA Green Building Congress 2019

Mon, 11th Feb 2019

WorldGBC’s MENA Green Building Congress 2019 will bring together government, business, city and civil society leaders to exchange ideas on best practice for green buildings to address the region’s environmental, economic and social challenges. Here's 5 reasons why this exclusive event is not to be missed.

World Green Building Council and Chatham House form partnership to generate sustainable recovery and reconstruction in the Middle East and North Africa

Wed, 5th Dec 2018

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) MENA Regional Network and Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commence efforts to encourage reconstruction efforts that foster environmental and social sustainability in war-torn countries across the Middle East & North Africa.

Public Realm - Gateway to our Communities’ Sustainable Future

Fri, 28th Sep 2018

According to UN Habitat, public spaces now comprise just 2% of the area of Middle Eastern cities. As our cities expand, the needs of urban dwellers for high-quality public realm have grown more pressing. Majid Al Futtaim is working to create “Great Moments for Everyone, Everyday", blogs Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi.

How up-cycling local materials is improving thermal comfort in homes across Jordan

Mon, 10th Sep 2018

In the first post for our #HomeGreenHome blog series for the upcoming World Green Building Week, Jordan GBC explains how up-cycling locally abundant materials is helping to improve thermal comfort in Jordanian homes - and kickstarting creativity and innovation for new green products to follow.

Green building milestones signal Kuwait GBC's progression to WorldGBC Emerging Member

Thu, 29th Mar 2018

The World Green Building Council is delighted to announce that Kuwait Green Building Council has progressed to Emerging GBC status within the WorldGBC membership tier.

Meet the women who are establishing green leadership in the Middle East & North Africa

Thu, 8th Mar 2018

This International Women's Day 2018, WorldGBC is celebrating the women establishing green building leadership in the MENA region, challenging gender inequality in their countries while addressing the equally pressing issue of climate change.

Deadline extended for 2018 MENA Green Building Awards

Tue, 30th Jan 2018

Emirates Green Building Council has extended the deadline for submissions for its annual MENA Green Building Awards 2018 until Thursday 15 February 2018

An unexpected journey: The rise of net zero carbon buildings in the MENA region

Thu, 25th Jan 2018

Our Advancing Net Zero Project Manager Kate Victoria Burrows visited Jordan this month and was delighted to see how the country is already realising the potential for low carbon operations.

Recognising rights and dignity: Green, affordable homes in Jordan

Mon, 30th Oct 2017

Jordan faces big challenges when it comes to natural resources - exacerbated by the refugee crisis in neighbouring Syria. Jordan GBC explains how its Green Affordable Homes project is providing a solution.

UAE ready to mainstream nearly zero energy buildings, finds new report

Wed, 27th Sep 2017

The UAE is ready to transition from the position of an early adopter of nearly zero energy buildings to mainstream rollout, finds Emirates Green Building Council in a new report.

EmiratesGBC launches interactive website to promote green homes, offices & schools

Thu, 20th Jul 2017

EmiratesGBC has launched a brand-new interactive website called Green Building Tooltips to encourage green building best practices in homes, offices and schools

Notes from the Networks – Green building growth in the MENA region

Thu, 1st Jun 2017

Visionaries, thought-leaders and change-makers are demonstrating real green leadership across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, blogs Mohammad Asfour of WorldGBC.

Majid Al Futtaim becomes first Middle Eastern company to adopt Net Positive strategy

Wed, 19th Apr 2017

Majid Al Futtaim, a member of WorldGBC’s Corporate Advisory Board, has become the first Middle Eastern company to adopt a Net Positive sustainability strategy.

Lebanon Green Building Council opens educational project, the "Green Demonstration Room"

Thu, 23rd Feb 2017

The Lebanon Green Building Council has officially opened the Green Demonstration Room, a new project designed to educate the public and students on green buildings.

Majid Al Futtaim becomes official Partner of WorldGBC MENA Regional Network

Tue, 15th Nov 2016

Majid Al Futtaim, the major shopping mall, retail and leisure developer in the Middle East and North Africa, has become the first official Partner of WorldGBC’s MENA Regional Network.

Events

MENA Green Building Congress 2019

Sunday 24th February 2019 to Tuesday 26th February 2019

Register now for the unmissable MENA Green Building Congress 2019 on 25-26 February in Amman, Jordan! Join us to learn about the latest green building trends across the industry and to understand the opportunities and challenges relating to green buildings in the region.

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