Unveiling of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification plaque by HE Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water
The Chamber building becomes the 1st LEED certified existing building in the Arab world
The Chamber reduced water and energy consumption by approximately 77% and 47% respectively between 1998 and 2008 registering AED 7.1 million in accumulated power savings
Buamim : "This achievement demonstrates Dubai Chambers commitment to the strategic vision of our leaders towards environmental sustainability and international best practice"
UAE Minister and Emirates Green Building Council Chairman praise Dubai Chamber on its pioneering achievement
Dubai, UAE: Under the patronage and presence of HE Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised the plaque unveiling ceremony for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at its premises today (Wednesday). This honour makes the Chamber the 1st existing commercial building in the region and one of only four buildings outside the US and Canada.
Besides the Minister, the high profile ceremony was attended by HE Eng Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, Jeff Willis, Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council, Government officials, representatives of the various Business Groups, Councils and companies as well as experts in sustainable initiatives and the media.
Said Buamim, "This achievement demonstrates Dubai Chamber's commitment to the strategic vision of our leaders towards environmental sustainability. It also demonstrates the Chamber's commitment to conserving resources and implementing best practices and reinforces our strategic objectives of creating a favourable business environment for the Emirate, supporting the development of business and promoting Dubai as an international business hub."
The Director General of Dubai Chamber further stressed that Dubai Chamber's efforts to go green started more than 10 years ago during a time when environmental responsibility was not fashionable or expected, led by the Chamber's green building team which worked on a number of pioneering energy and water saving initiatives in the region.
Dubai Chamber has succeeded in reducing water and energy consumption by approximately 77% and 47% respectively between 1998 and 2008, leading to significant carbon emission reductions and accumulated power savings of around AED 7.1 million. "We have demonstrated that environmental responsibility is good for business, it saves money, enhances efficiency, and demonstrates good citizenship. We hope that our members will adopt many of the initiatives we have undertaken which will enhance efficiency, save them money and allow them to contribute towards building a stronger nation," said Buamim.
He highlighted many of the steps Dubai Chamber has taken to green its building which he said have been pioneering, such as capturing the humidity through the air-conditioning systems as condensate water to use in the fountain and toilet systems saving 0.85 million litres of water a year, adjusting lift weighting loads to decrease energy consumption by 20%, reusing municipal grey water for landscaping and toilet systems, and providing VIP parking for staff and free valet parking for visitors using fuel efficient vehicles.
Added Buamim, "Today, while we unveil the LEED plaque, we cannot overlook the significant role of our Government in supporting the sustainability initiatives in the UAE as well as other progressive initiatives that help the country march towards a bright future under the wise leadership that is determined to make our country a leading destination economically, socially and environmentally. The presence of HE Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, is confirmation of the commitment of our leaders towards this goal."
During the ceremony, a short film on Dubai Chamber's transformation into a green building was shown to the gathering before the plaque was unveiled by HE Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad. Both the Minister and the Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council, Jeffrey Willis, praised Dubai Chamber on its pioneering achievement. Following this ceremony, participants were taken on an interactive virtual tour of the head office to see what green building initiatives have been implemented and interact with Dubai Chamber's green building team.
The Chamber's dynamic 18-storeyed building joined the ranks of 204 buildings in Canada and the US, as well as three other buildings in India and Sri Lanka, in achieving the LEED existing building certification, an internationally recognised green building standard set by the US Green Building Council. It is the first in the region to demonstrate that even existing older buildings can be significantly improved for the benefit of the environment, building users, operators, and the broader community.
Earlier last year, Dubai Chamber was awarded the gold prize in the Green Buildings Category of the Dubai Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) award from Trakhees-Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). It also received two certificates of appreciation from DEWA for energy and water conservation efforts.
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Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favorable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.
© Press Release 2010
