A Hi Sustainable Approach & Green Routine

A Hi Sustainable Approach

With the latest Dubai Green Building Codes coming into effect for all residential and commercial construction in early 2014, the country is reaching a significant milestone in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and its goal to become a city that follows the highest levels of sustainable development. 

Although many of you are no doubt already familiar with the impending regulations, I will briefly revisit what they are and who they will impact.

The regulations apply to:

1) All new buildings.

2)Additions, extensions and refurbishments of existing buildings that require a building permit from Dubai Municipality.

3) Existing buildings, where specified (for example, certain Mixed Use Buildings and when there is a change of use for a building).

The regulations are a welcome introduction and, contrary to perceptions that their implementation is overly-hasty with no structured process for educating stakeholders, the government is actually taking considered steps to inform the industry about the new requirements.

Dubai Municipality has made the regulations public and also issued guidelines on the certification of green building projects on its website. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the guidelines.

Click here or image above to visit DUBAI Municipality - Homepage

It is also a good idea to associate with organisations such as Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network click here to visit homepage. Its CSR Label is an excellent framework that helps companies to monitor, measure and improve their CSR and sustainability practices.

The key to the successful delivery of green projects, as per the new regulations, is to define roles and responsibilities – whether it is deciding who will look after new documentation procedures, sourcing of green-certified products, or agreeing how much of the regulation responsibility will be shared with your partners.

This is important in order to avoid making sudden changes to your business processes and for defining new roles when regulations come into effect.

Companies, building owners and designers can make small, internal changes to make adopting sustainable practices easier. For example, sourcing a list of green product suppliers is a good way for interior designers to ensure easier product selection. This simple practice greatly helps us at Summer town Interiors to ensure that key products we source are green-certified.

We have also created a ‘Green Library’ to provide reference material on sustainability. Mandatory regulation is just one of the many measures the UAE government is taking to support Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid, where sustainability plays a major role.

Hi Green Library Link : - Download the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network employee volunteer guide book click here

Dubai Chamber Download Link - : "Center for responsible business", Dates to remember click here

If Dubai wins the bid, there will not only be a massive demand for construction, but a greater need for higher standards of sustainability, too. 

While the heavy hand of regulation will help accelerate green compliance, sustainability is, at its core, a voluntary code and we, as members of this industry and consultants to companies, play an important role in contributing to the triple bottom line.

Moving beyond the implementation phase, it is important to continuously assess the efficacy of the regulations so that they remain relevant and credible. The regulations themselves are a means not an end. They are a valuable tool, but become less valuable if their implementation results in an increase in projects that fail to meet the expected certification levels.

At the moment, the few projects in Dubai that are LEED-certified (click here) "to visit homepage for LEED U.S Green Building Council"  have achieved a higher level of certification (silver, gold and platinum). This is because the companies seeking accreditation are choosing to be so rather than this being a mandatory requirement.

Visit Dubai LEED Certification, Lead Certification, Asbestos, and BPI Certification Training :-  Click here to visit homepage.

Sustainability practices are already a fundamental part of these companies’ framework. Although a drop in standards is not ideal, the market has to start somewhere, so it is a situation we should celebrate, not bemoan.

A Hi Green Routine

The construction industry is often criticized for neglecting environmental issues in favor of profit.

While the industry as a whole is actively pursuing green building projects, the flip side is that not all companies who are accredited to Green Building Council membership, nor all LEED-accredited professionals, follow or encourage others to follow Eco-friendly practices in their day-to-day tasks.

If we do not collectively change our thinking and how we operate, critics of the sector’s overall environmental performance may be proved right.

With World Expo 2020 and the FIFA 2022 World Cup on the horizon, and as the GCC construction industry prepares for another construction extravaganza, there could not be a better time for all stakeholders to start seriously practicing sustainability in everything that they do.

One such issue is heavy usage of paper in the construction industry. It’s a fact that tonnes of paper and several thousand printer cartridges are being used by all stakeholders for communicating by means of circulating multiple hard copies of drawings, reports, submitting, schedules, manuals, purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, time sheets, letters and faxes, without realizing the adverse effect we leave on the environment.

Due to this uncontrolled use of paper, paper mills produce tonnes of extra supplies. However, such paper production and usage takes a toll on the beautiful planet we live in. Paper is the third-largest industrial polluter of air, water and land, releasing well over 100 m kg of toxic pollutants each year.

Hi Sustainable Approach & Green Routine Links

GENERAL Links Section

BuildingGreen, LLC

This web-based company provides green building case studies and over 2,000 green building products organized by standard CSI divisions.

Environmental Construction + Design - Green Book

Environmental Construction + Design offers a print magazine and an online green product and resource guide.

Good To Be Green

This free directory of sustainable products and accredited green building professionals contains resources for both residential and commercial builders.

Greenguard Environmental Institute

Greenguard provides a guide to third-party, certified low-emitting interior products and building materials (registration required).

Green Seal Certified Products

Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that identifies and promotes green products and services.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

FSC provides independent auditing, certification and the promotion of certified forest products under the SmartWood name.

LEEDuser

This website provides step-by-step guidance to earning LEED credits while achieving the best possible environmental benefit. It is published by BuildingGreen and supported by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The NRDC Greening Advisor
NRDC's in-depth guide gives you the tools you need to bring your business into the green era.

Life Cycle Analysis Tools Links Section

International Design Center for the Environment

IDCE is a non-profit organization that promotes community sustainability and develops and disseminates tools for scientifically robust and efficient life cycle analysis of common materials.

LBLN High Performance Commercial Building Systems

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is developing a set of life cycle cost tools for improving commercial building performance.

Whole Building Design Guide - Life Cycle Tools

The Whole Building Design Guide, developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences, provides a variety of life cycle cost and assessment tools.

Federal Energy Management Program

Here is an additional resource for downloading software developed by the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Life-Cycle Cost programs.

SAUDI BUILD 2013 - Hammam Industries & Co. Participation 2013

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EXHIBITORS LIST 2013:

Hi 100 Top Pollution Sites!.

Hi 100 Top Pollution Sites!.

1. Friends of the Earth
   Friends of the Earth is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the planet from environmental degradation.
2. Clean Air Council
   A member supported, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting Pennsylvanians' right to clean air.
3. Environmental Defense
   Environmental Defense is a not-for-profit environmental advocacy group with four main goals: (1)Stabilizing the Earth's climate, (2) Safeguarding the world's oceans, (3) Protecting human health, and (4) Defending and restoring bio diversity.
4. Scorecard
   Scorecard combines data from over 200 different state and federal databases to profile local environmental problems and the health effects of toxic chemicals.
5. Pollution.com
   The latest nuclear power and pollution news.
6. EPA: Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
   OWOW provides tons of information to raise public awareness and encourage involvement in water quality issues.
7. Clean Up Australia
   A very successful Australian organization that works to cleanup environmental pollution and to teach citizens how to lead greener lives.
8. Worldwatch Institute
   Worldwatch is dedicated to fostering the evolution of a society in which human needs are met in ways that do not threaten the health of the natural environment.
9. Greening Industry
   New ideas in pollution prevention.
10. EPA: Acid Rain Program
    The goal of the Acid Rain Program is to significantly reduce electric utilities emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the pollutants responsible for acid deposition.
11. EPA: Water Management Division
    Includes fact sheets, tips, definitions of key terms, state-by-state quality reports and more.
12. Greenpeace: Ozone Crisis
    Details Greenpeace's "Protect the Ozone Layer" campaign and up-to-date news and resources.
13. Toxics Release Inventory
    EPA's guide to toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, treated, transported and released into the environment.
14. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    NOAA guides our use and protection of ocean and coastal resources and conducts research to improve our understanding and stewardship of the environment which sustains us all.
15. Union of Concerned Scientists
    The Union of Concerned Scientists works to ensure that all people have clean air and energy, as well as safe and sufficient food.
16. Enviro$en$e
    Single repository for pollution prevention, compliance assurance, and enforcement information and data bases.
17. Save Our Seas
    The mission of SOS is to preserve, protect and restore the world's oceans for the future of all life forms on the planet.
18. The Nature Conservancy
    The Nature Conservancy purchases and protects millions of acres of threatened natural habitats.
19. Capitol Reports/ Environmental News Link
    Provides environmental news and research aids on a number of issues, from pollution to climate change.
20. Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine
    One of the nation's oldest and foremost centers for research into the health effects of environmental pollution.
21. Climate Institute
    The Climate Institute works to protect the balance between climate and life on earth by facilitating the dialogue among scientists, policy makers, business executives and citizens.
22. Clean Water Action
    A national citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable water and the prevention of health-threatening pollution.
23. The Southwest Network for Zero Waste
    This web site will provide you with tools and resources to help you identify money saving options to reduce pollution.
24. Environmental News Network
    ENN covers breaking environmental news, including pollution issues.
25. EPA: Office of Transportation and Air Quality
    Protecting public health and the environment by controlling air pollution from motor vehicles, fuels, and nonroad equipment, and by encouraging travel choices that minimize emissions.
26. Environmental Working Group
    A leading content provider for public interest groups and concerned citizens who are campaigning to protect the environment.
27. GREEN: Global Rivers Environmental Education Network
    An innovative, action-oriented approach to education, based on an interdisciplinary watershed education model.
28. NIPR--New Ideas in Pollution Regulation
    A site for researchers, government officials, and citizens interested in understanding and improving control of industrial pollution, especially in developing countries.
29. Living on Earth
    This weekly NPR radio program covers a variety of environmental issues, including pollution, sustainable development and transportation challenges.
30. Environmental Bureau of Investigation (EBI)
    Dedicated to the protection of public resources through the application and enforcement of environmental laws.
31. Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
    Efforts include building a library of resources and tools concerning noise pollution, establishing links to other groups that have similar collections, establishing networks among local noise activists, assisting communities and activists who are working to reduce noise pollution, and monitoring and advocating for stronger noise controls.
32. Natural Resources Defense Council
    NRDC uses law, science, and the support of more than 400,000 members nationwide to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.
33. Pacific Rivers Council
    A nonprofit organization passionately committed to protecting our streams and the species that inhabit them.
34. Sierra Club
    A leading environmental organization with chapters in all 50 states and Canada.
35. World Wildlife Fund
    Information on the WWF's global campaign to reduce the use of toxic chemicals.
36. U.S. Water News Online
    Find the latest news concerning water and water issues, including water supply, water quality, conservation and more.
37. Burning Issues
    Facts, news and the latest research on air pollution.
38. Earth 911
    Green shopping tips and ideas on how to reduce water pollution and air pollution, as well as energy conservation and real-time beach water quality information, are all available through Earth 911.
39. Center for Sustainable Systems
    Seeks to facilitate sustainability through education on pollution prevention.
40. Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change
    Earthshots is an ebook of before-and-after Landsat images showing recent environmental events of the last 27 years.
41. DOE Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
    A centralized source of US Department of Energy Pollution Prevention information that assists with valuable P2 resources outside of the DOE.
42. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee council
    Updated pictures, publications, policies, news, and more regarding the restoration of the Exxon Valdez spill.
43. Keep America Beautiful
    Non-profit organization that educates individuals about litter prevention and ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and properly manage waste materials.
44. The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network
    Collects data on the chemistry of precipitation for monitoring of geographical and temporal long-term trends.
45. IPEN-The International POPs Elimination Network
    The mission of IPEN is to work for the global elimination of persistent organic pollutants, on an expedited yet socially equitable basis.
46. 20/20 Vision
    Advocates for pollution reduction, sustainable development, and other environmental issues.
47. American Rivers
    The American Rivers' mission is to protect and restore America's river systems and to foster a river stewardship ethic.
48. Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand
    Provides a forum for discussion of environmental issues and to facilitate contacts between environmental practitioners.
49. Earth Force
    Earth Force helps youth discover and implement lasting solutions to environmental problems in their communities.
50. CEEI: America's Threatened Streams
    An index of comprehensive studies on water quality-limited streams.
51. Office of Air and Radiation
    Deals with issues that affect the quality of our air and protection from exposure to harmful radiation.
52. The International Ozone Association
    The IOA serves as a central gathering and disseminating information point on a variety of ozone issues.
53. SETAC
    Develops and applies multidisciplinary approaches to solving environmental problems.
54. Marine Conservation Biology Institute
    Tackles numerous marine conservation issues head on, including the effect of pollution on marine life.
55. National Response Center
    The NRC is the sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical spills.
56. Oregon Environmental Council
    OEC's mission is to restore and protect Oregon's clean water and air, now and for future generations.
57. UTK - The Energy, Environment and Resources Center (EERC)
    The Energy, Environment, and Resources Center (EERC) at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville finds real-world solutions to problems related to the environment, energy, economic development, and technology.
58. Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center
    The P2RIC provides access to pollution prevention information from and about EPA Region 7.
59. Pollution Prevention
    Pollution prevention programs and information from the EPA.
60. Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention
    Pollution prevention resource from Canada.
61. Australian Water Association
    IAWQ is a professional membership association dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of water pollution control and water quality management worldwide.
62. Water Environment Federation
    A not-for-profit technical and educational organization whose goal is to preserve and enhance the global water environment.
63. Clean Car Campaign
    Help reduce air pollution and global warming by letting automakers and policymakers know that consumers want clean cars.
64. Air Cycle Corporation
    Air Cycle Corporation offers recycling services and transportation throughout all of North America to assist facilities in properly disposing lamps, ballasts, batteries, and computer hardware.
65. ATSDR
    The ATSDR's mission is to prevent exposure and adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances present in the environment.
66. International Water Law Project
    Provides information and links on international water law and policy and related water pollution and conservation topics.
67. Fostering Sustainable Behavior
    Offers information on effective strategies for engaging people in the behavior changes required to reduce waste, increase water and energy efficiency, and alter transportation patterns.
68. Air & Waste Management Association
    The A&WMA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization that provides training, information, and networking opportunities to 12,000 environmental professionals in 65 countries.
69. Skepticism: Clean Air
    Challenges EPA clean air regulations.
70. Pollution Equipment News
    Online source for product news and information on hazardous waste, water, air and wastewater.
71. The Great Lakes Information Network
    GLIN offers a wealth of data and information about the Great Lakes region's environment and economy, tourism, education and more.
72. Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (CPPIC)
    An online database and comprehensive resource that provides Canadians with the information they need to put pollution prevention into practice.
73. Green Car
    The clean car campaign.
74. One World News Service: Pollution
    Provides news regarding pollution issues.
75. PEER
    The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) group provides uniquely valuable services to government employees charged with safeguarding the nation's natural resources.
76. PPRC
    The Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center is a leading resource for promoting a cleaner environment through pollution prevention.
77. Chem-Tox.com
    Researching the effects of chemicals and pesticides on health.
78. National Environmental Technology Institute
    NETI focuses on the design and modification of processes and materials "upstream" to minimize pollution prior to ultimate treatment and disposal.
79. Bureau of Reclamation
    The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
80. Water Partners International
    Works to ensure safe drinking water for developing countries.
81. Water Online
    The most convenient source of technical, operational, product, management and regulatory information available for the water industry.
82. Water Recycling
    Explore an ecological waste water recycling system in Chatham County, North Carolina.
83. The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
    CDIAC's scope includes potentially anything and everything that would be of value to users concerned with the greenhouse effect and global climate change.
84. Health and Energy
    News and information on pollution, energy efficiency, renewable energy, global warming and more.
85. No Butts About It Litter Campaign
    No Butts About It is a campaign to help rid the earth of cigarette butt litter.
86. Basel Action Network
    An international network of activists seeking to put an end to the export and dumping of hazardous wastes from rich industrialized countries to poorer, less-industrialized countries.
87. Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI)
    "ZERI seeks to create a new paradigm of sustainable industry by targeting zero gaseous, liquid and solid emissions, and by making zero emissions a world-wide industry standard."
88. Coalition for Alternative Transportation
    Supports better travel options to reduce the amount of pollutants.
89. EMPACT
    The Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking program.
90. Nonpoint Source Pollution Homepage
    Clearinghouse for information related to Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, which occurs when rain or snowmelt wash pollutants into waterways, wetlands and underground water.
91. GASP: Group Against Smog and Pollution
    GASP has been working to prevent air pollution on local, state, and national levels since its creation in 1969.
92. Flush Gordon's Dirty Water Page
    Information on water pollution and how to prevent it.
93. Ocean Pollution
    Basic information about the problem of ocean pollution and how it affects human health and resources.
94. Tracking and Analysis Framework
    The TAF is an integrated modeling framework developed to assess, inform, and guide U.S. regulatory policies on emissions of precursors to acid rain.
95. Pollution Engineering
    Provides broad, balanced coverage of technical news and features to meet the information needs of environmental professionals with multiple pollution control responsibilities: air, water, solid and hazardous waste.
96. National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
    The largest membership organization in the United States devoted solely to pollution prevention.
97. RCO On-Line
    Promoting environmental sustainability through waste minimization and resource conservation.
98. Healthy Communities Environmental Mapping
    Empowers local communities to build smarter and healthier neighborhoods.
99. Cleaner Production in China
    The site is designed to provide information in English on Cleaner Production, on China's Cleaner Production policy and legislation, and on existing and planned activities to implement Cleaner Production in China.
100. Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste Center of Expertise
     Brought to you by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.