Businesses to adopt green building solutions amid virus

Inayat-ur-Rahman

The COVID-19 pandemic is leading more businesses in the UAE to adopt sustainable building solutions as they reopen and return to 100% capacity, according to business leaders who spoke on the topic at a recent Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry webinar.

The webinar, Ensuring Sustainable Health and Safety of Building Occupants during COVID-19, was organised by the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network’s Task Force on Green Buildings, and attended by business leaders who shared their experiences and best practices in implementing health and safety standards at the workplace.

During the event, participants learned about the importance of ensuring the sustainable health and wellbeing of employees and building occupants, especially during the current stage when workers are gradually returning to the office.

Marcos Bish, Managing Director at Summertown Interiors, said health and safety concerns brought forth by COVID-19 have fast-tracked adjustments made to the company’s offices, which include investments in new technologies improving air and water quality, preventative measures and social distancing. He stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive plan before reopening offices, and clearly communicating new policies and guidelines to staff.

George Abraham, Deputy Director Engineering at Zulekha Hospital shed the light on the significance of Sustainable Healing Environment to maintain advanced building safety. He emphasised the need to ensure the health and wellbeing of building occupants by adopting the healing environment approach and improving facilities, especially in hospitals.

Abraham mentioned that Zulekha Hospital has achieved accreditation, LEED, ISO and other certifications, as well as being in the process of obtaining WELL platinum certification. These certifications support the adoption and implementation of Sustainable Healing Environment.

For his part, Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, said: “It is crucial that companies understand their responsibility of making the wellbeing of employees a top priority as they begin to reopen offices, navigate new challenges and adapt to the new normal in the COVID-19 era.”

Rettab noted that the webinar provided an ideal platform to share case studies and shed light on how businesses are making the necessary adjustments to keep employees safe, while reducing their environmental impact. He added that the webinar was the latest in a series of virtual events organised by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business, which advised the business community on a wide range of important business matters as they deal with the impact of Covid-19.

The Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network is an essential platform for the business community to exchange information and experiences on matters related to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) was established by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2004 to support and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. The Centre’s objective is to engage the Dubai business community in assuming greater responsibility for the emirate’s social and environmental needs. The CRB also promotes Dubai as the GCC’s gateway for global commerce by offering its business partners an environment of transparency and rule of law.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a need for young talent to develop and enhance their skill sets as they prepare for a new job market in a post-Covid-19 world, according to experts who spoke on the topic during a recent webinar hosted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The webinar, entitled Unlock the Potential of Young Talent During and Post Covid-19 Pandemic, was organised by the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network’s Community Engagement task force and attended by 36 participants representing 24 companies and organisations in Dubai. Presentations and discussions during workshop shed light on key challenges faced by youth during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the most in-demand skills needed in a changing job market, and the role that the private sector can play in supporting and empowering young talent under the current circumstances by providing the right learning and development opportunities.

Sharing their insights and views during the webinar were: Dr. Zeenath Reza Khan, Faculty Lead of Technology and Integrity in Academia and Beyond Research & Teaching Forum and Assistant Professor of Cyber Ethics, University of Wollongong; Lina Hourani, Divisional Director, CSR Al Ahli Group; Dima Najim, Managing Director-UAE, Education For Employment (EFE); Nujoud Serhan, Program Management & Performance Excellence Director, Crown Prince Foundation – Jordan; and Peter Hogg, Talent Acquisition Director, MEA, Schneider Electric.