Green building regulations, financing and all-round sustainability will be the highlight of a conference which opens in Dubai tomorrow (December 11).

The two-day annual congress of the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will be held at the Grosvenor House Dubai.

Adnan Sharafi, chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The congress is bringing a line-up of topics relating to promoting all-round sustainability. Several experts will present unique insights that will help achieve the sustainable development goals set by the regional governments.

“The case studies presented at the Congress will serve in sharing best practices with policy makers and stakeholders across the construction sector supply chain,” stated Sharafi, who is also a member of the World Green Building Council.

One of the key sessions will focus on financing schemes for green buildings covering the need for funds, innovative financing mechanisms, incentive strategies and fee structures. A panel will present case studies highlight the benefits of sustainable built environments, he said.

Another session will present the design aspects for smarter buildings, while a panel discussion on the use of green building materials will cover their impact on smart cities.

The seminar will cover key issues such as the environmental impact of building materials, availability of green materials, key barriers and also present examples of where green materials have been successfully used.

According to Sharafi, the Emirates Environment Group will present local and regional initiatives to promote sustainable development including waste management from source, while a representative from the WorldGBC Mena Network will discuss the green building market in the region.
 
The winner of the EmiratesGBC Annual Congress technical paper competition on ‘Sustainable Competitive Advantage: An Economic Revolution’ will present the paper at the conference.

The EmiratesGBC Awards will honour organisations for their demonstrated commitment to sustainable design, construction, and operation of buildings and structures.

The event will also host a debate competition among schools on ‘A Vision to the Future,’ aimed at strengthening awareness on sustainability and to encourage the participation of youth. - TradeArabia News Service