Future of green not in public sector
Sauid Green Building Council want private sector to innovate green construction
The Private sector and citizen participation have been hailed as key factors in the innovation of green construction.
Contrary to the common belief that government incentives will be key to the adoption of sustainable building practices, organisers behind the Saudi Green Building Forum.
“The challenge of containing the rate of increase in Saudi Arabia’s electricity and water demands is huge, but there are a range of tools that can be used to reverse the current trend,” according to the forum organisers.
“Innovative energy saving technologies in glass, lighting, thermal insulation, water reuse and building materials are in the market and currently being developed. Many of these innovations will be presented at the event from leading private sector organizations including Schneider Electric, ABB, Somfy, Jotun Paints, Phillips and KIMMCO,” they continued.
Over 300 delegates are expected to attend the forum, taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Riyadh, October 15- 17.
A pre-conference master class will include special training workshops hosted by the US Green Building Council, designed to educate attendees on core concepts and strategies of the council’s green building rating system. Completion of the workshop is a pre-cursor for those looking to sit the LEED Green Associate Exam.
“The private sector’s role in engaging Green Building innovations, and the Saudi urban development boom in public and private sector; and the citizens’ active participation enriches the Green Buildings idea,” said His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Mansour Bin Miteb Bin Abdulaziz, minister of Municipalities and Rural Affairs.
Faisal Alfadl, secretary general of the forum, added: “What became apparent from the inaugural event in 2010 was an issue that unites Green Building interest worldwide. That issue is how new technologies use renewable resources and materials that are sensitive to the environment and the affect this has on innovation in design, construction and operations,” said Faisal Alfadl, Secretary General of the forum.
