#018 – Saeed Al Abbar: Chairman Emirates GBC

Edifice Complex Podcast

Our guest this episode is Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council and a Board Member of the World Green Building Council.

The sound quality can be a little uneven in this episode. When we recorded this podcast Saeed was in India, Robert was in the USA and I was in Canada. However Saeed is really worth listening to, so please accept our apologies and listen to Saeed, it is worth it IMHO.

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In this episode, we discuss;

• How building codes have only been edited and not changed since the 1960’s.
• Change impacting the built environment being driven by local / city governments.
• By 2050 the worldwide urban population will double which generates the need for 10 New York Cites per year!
• A government minister in India describing Delhi air quality as a “gas chamber” equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes per day.
• Despite these alarming points Saeed is optimistic and after speaking with him, so are we!

For more information on Saeed and his work;

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saeedalabbar/

Website: http://aesg-me.com

Website: https://emiratesgbc.org

Bio

Saeed is the Director at AESG, a firm specializing in the provision of specialist consultancy and commissioning services throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa through its offices in Dubai, London and Abu Dhabi. He holds a First Class Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath.

In his role at AESG, Saeed has been involved in managing and directing some of the world’s most prestigious projects through design, construction, commissioning and operation. Projects have included large prestigious master plan developments, high rise buildings, housing development and critical infrastructure. Under Saeed’s direction, AESG has developed a strong reputation in the region for delivering the highest quality consultancy in sustainability, energy management, fire and life safety, facade engineering, environmental consultancy, waste management and commissioning services.

Saeed has authored a number of papers on the application of sustainability in the UAE and MENA region and has consequently presented at a number of local, regional and international conferences. As well as presenting at industry conferences, Saeed has also presented a policy paper at the United Nations Regional Policy Dialogue in 2012 on policy measures that would be effective in tackling the regions energy and sustainability challenges.

As well as his professional role as Director of AESG, Saeed is currently the Chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council and a Board Member of the World Green Building Council. In this role, Saeed actively works in promoting the advancement of sustainable building in the UAE and MENA region by working with industry, academia and government departments to develop collaborative solutions to some of the regions greatest challenges.

In 2010, Saeed was awarded the title of International Young Consultant of the Year by British Expertise in the UK. In 2012, Saeed was named in Gulf Business’s top 30 achievers in the MENA region under the age of 30.