Jordan’s First “Think Green” Conference Calls for a Jordanian Green Building Council

Amman, 2 May 2008. The first Think Green in Real Estate Development Conference was held on 22 and 23 April 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel (Zara Expo Auditorium). It brought together key stakeholders in Jordan and expert speakers from around the world to promote environmentally-responsible design and construction methods and solutions that foster sustainable economic development.

Sponsored by Greater Amman Municipality, Energy Management Services International Jain Consultants International and the USAID-funded SABEQ project, the Conference was designed to educate, empower and inspire industry professionals and real estate developers to direct investments into efficient, cost effective and sustainable projects that reduce the use of non-renewable resources and minimize environmental impact during the entire lifecycle of the project.

High calibre expert speakers presented key note addresses, valuable presentations and led panel discussions at the Conference. These included specialists, architects and engineers from leading international firms including Hyder Consulting, Foster + Partners, Llewelyn Davies Yeang, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the World Green Building Council, Energy Management Services International and other regional and local organizations including Ministry of Public Works & Housing and Ministry of Environment.

Conference Chairman Stephen Oehme, Regional Director of Value Management & Sustainability at Hyder Consulting M.E. said “I am delighted to have been part of this event. It clearly demonstrates the initiative that Jordan’s private sector is taking in further enhancing sustainable property development. The Conference covered core issues related to sustainable design & building solutions, green building rating systems, the business case for green buildings, overall cost effectiveness, the value of incorporating sustainability and many other key issues that pave the way for further action in the country”.

Organized by Events UnLimited, a leading Jordanian conference and exhibition organizer, the Conference was attended by over 150 participants from various disciplines including: architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, developers, environmentalists, planners, manufacturers and suppliers from a number of key organizations in Jordan.

The Conference highlighted the impact that buildings have on the environment and the environmental challenges that countries are facing, particularly with the rise in fuel costs. According to Mario Seniveratne, Board Member of the World Green Building Council, who spoke at the conference, buildings worldwide account for 17% of fresh water consumption, 25% of wood harvest, 33% of CO2 emissions, 30% to 40% of energy use and 40% to 50% of raw materials used.

“The Conference strongly encouraged designers and developers to integrate green building solutions and practices into their projects to reduce the use of non-renewable resources and provide a healthier more conducive environment”, said Samar Shawareb Ashqar, Managing Director of Events Unlimited. “The Conference demonstrated that Green Buildings make good business sense and encouraged investors to consider the medium to long-term economic benefits of a green building project that has a positive impact on the bottom-line through reduction in operating expenditure and higher capital value, productivity, revenues, occupancy and others,” added Ashqar.

The Conference reviewed some of the leading international rating tools used for Green Buildings including the US-LEED standards and its certification requirements and there was a broad consensus among delegates that Jordan should consider building its own rating system, in order to incorporate its unique national aspects and other regional issues including a higher degree of emphasize on efficient water management especially as Jordan faces an acute water shortage problem.

“Discussing the way forward on regulations and legislation, Conference delegates called for the establishment of a Jordan Green Building Council that would promote the adoption of green building principles and standards and introduce a green building rating system to achieve cost effective and quality buildings that utilize environmentally friendly concepts, technologies, materials and methods to enhance real estate development and protect Jordan’s eco-systems” concluded Oehme.

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For further information, kindly e-mail samar@eventsunlimited.com.jo

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