As the UAE accelerates its ambitious journey towards Net Zero by 2050, the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) is leveraging its 20-year legacy to spearhead the next chapter of sustainable development in the nation’s built environment. At its recent anniversary gala, ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainable Impact,’ the Council brought together industry pioneers, partners, and government leaders to commemorate two decades of landmark achievements as well as to launch a renewed mission focused on future-proofing the UAE’s buildings for a resilient and decarbonized world.
A cornerstone of the UAE’s sustainable building movement, the Council is doubling down on its commitment to drive this transformation. With the building sector responsible for a significant portion of the country’s emissions, EmiratesGBC’s future focus is critical to national climate goals and its work will be instrumental in delivering the deep retrofitting, new construction standards, and circular economy principles required to achieve the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 ambition.
To accelerate public engagement in this mission, EmiratesGBC has announced the upcoming launch of ‘The Sustainability Lounge,’ a new podcast series designed to extend the conversation beyond industry professionals. This initiative will bring critical discussions about green buildings and sustainable living to the people who live and work in these spaces, making them active participants in the sustainability journey.
Khalid Bushnaq, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, emphasized the urgency of this new chapter: “The immediacy of our climate goals means sustainability is no longer a luxury or an afterthought, but a core responsibility we owe to the world and future generations. We are immensely proud of the foundational role EmiratesGBC has played, but the challenge ahead requires us to be bolder. Our focus is squarely on the future and ensuring the built environment enables an equitable and sustainable life for all.”
Building on a Legacy of Impact
EmiratesGBC’s forward-looking mission is built on two decades of foundational achievements. Since its inception in 2006 and its recognition as the 8th green building council by the World Green Building Council, EmiratesGBC has been a pivotal force. The Council’s role in establishing the WorldGBC MENA Network and launching the respected MENA Green Building Awards solidified its leadership position.
Crucially, EmiratesGBC has been instrumental in shaping the UAE’s regulatory landscape. Its collaborative work with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy has produced tangible policies, including national retrofitting guidelines and energy benchmarking frameworks. This deep history of public-private partnership provides the bedrock for the next phase of policy development required for a net-zero transition.
During her keynote address at the event, Dr Habiba Al Mar’ashi, the Co-Founder, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of EmiratesGBC, noted the Council’s pivotal role in shifting sustainability from a niche concept to a core industry principle over the past two decades. She stated that EmiratesGBC’s greatest achievement was fundamentally changing the conversation around green buildings in the UAE. Looking ahead, she called for continued collaboration and innovation to build resilient and regenerative communities for future generations.
Outlining the Council’s strategy for the future, EmiratesGBC CEO, Abdullatif Albitawi, commented, “Our role as a convener is more critical than ever. We are creating the platforms where the solutions for our Net Zero ambitions are forged. The MENA Green Building Awards will continue to spotlight the tangible innovations our region is capable of, while our Annual Congress will be the space where the industry collaborates, challenges, and learns, ensuring we all leave better equipped to build the future.”
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 the innovations and policies needed to meet the UAE’s ambitious climate targets.
