EmiratesGBC and CNRE aim to drive climate-neutral real estate in the GCC

Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) has partnered with Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region (CNRE). 

CNRE is a a public-private initiative backed by the Dutch Government and its network of knowledge institutes, tech firms, and solution providers, to advance environmental sustainability in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed recently in Dubai, aims to harness the strengths of both organisations to promote best practices such as Near Zero and Net Zero buildings and communities, resilient built environments for both new developments and retrofits, and collaborative research and education in sustainable construction.

The MoU signing featured a welcome note by Habiba Al Marashi, co-founder of EmiratesGBC; opening remarks from H.E. Dr. Carel Richter, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; and an introduction by CNRE Chairman Andre Vreman.

A roundtable titled “Towards Climate Neutral Real Estate in the UAE – Opportunities and Challenges,” moderated by EmiratesGBC CEO Abdullatif AlBitawi, underscored the pressing need for sustainability-focused action in the built environment.

Through this partnership, EmiratesGBC and CNRE will co-host educational events on green building, aiming to promote climate-neutral real estate solutions in energy and water use, enhance asset value, and support the growth of green finance.

Habiba Al Marashi, co-founder, vice chair, and treasurer of the Emirates Green Building Council, said, “Collaboration is key to driving collective action across industries to achieve a sustainable future for all. At Emirates Green Building Council, we are deeply committed to advocacy to ensure we provide the right platform to drive change, and we are thrilled to partner with Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region (CNRE) in their mission to accelerate net-zero design, construction and operations for real estate assets in desert climates. We look forward to powering our shared vision of sustainable building and environmental impact in the region through this strategic partnership.”