Amman 20 July 2009: Supported by the USAID Jordan Economic Development Program, the Jordan Green Building Council in collaboration with the US Green Building Council (USGBC), recently concluded a workshop on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Core Concepts & Strategies on the 11th and 12th July 2009 at the Le Meridian Hotel, Amman.

It was the first USGBC authorized LEED course in Jordan, and attendants of the workshop included representatives from the architecture and engineering sectors as well as industry professionals seeking to use LEED to build green or to provide services to the building industry. By attending the workshop, participants received credits that could be counted towards continuing education in green building as well as a chance to join the USGBC's educational program that will qualify them for the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) credential.

The workshop also served to identify LEED ratings systems and introduce the latest available certifications to Jordanian professionals. LEED has evolved to become a benchmark for high-performance green buildings, providing third-party verification and continually raising the bar on the way buildings are designed and operated. There are now LEED rating systems that address all building types and uses through every stage of a building's life cycle.

 "The urgency of our work to mitigate climate change and improve the quality of life through green building grows with each passing day," said Bahar Armaghani, expert instructor in LEED strategies and credentials, Assistant Director and LEED Manager at the University of Florida.. "Green building is poised to create much-needed green jobs and help families, governments and businesses save energy and money." 

"By supporting the Jordanian Green Building Council in its efforts to introduce LEED strategies, we hope to encourage the adoption of green building methodologies in Jordan," said Laith Al Qasem, Chief of Party, SABEQ Program. "Green building technologies can be a powerful driver towards enhanced energy, water, and environment productivity that will reflect positively on Jordan's overall economic development." 

The USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ) is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by Bearing Point, Inc., and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. By supporting improvements in the business environments and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses, it supports the main objective of building up the private sector as a powerful engine of economic growth.

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© Press Release 2009