Sustainable Design and Construction: Codes, Standards and Best Practice

Overview

Why Attend

Climate change impacts related to human activity have rapidly become one of the key global issues facing modern societies. Buildings are estimated to generate over 70% of total Green House Gas Emissions, which we know contribute to serious issues linked to sustainability and our future environment.

These and other factors have seen the sustainable construction movement gain considerable strength and momentum over recent years. Significant pressures being placed on natural resources and there are global economic and financial constraints which are driving organisations towards greater efficiencies when designing, constructing and utilizing buildings. It is not surprising therefore, that government-led sustainable design and construction initiatives are now international in scope with almost 60 national Green Building Councils (including in the UAE and GCC) establishing ambitious performance goals for the built environment in their respective countries.

In this course, participants will gain an understanding of the importance of adopting forward-looking sustainable development goals and strategies, and of approaching each construction project with a clear set of sustainability targets/KPIs. This course is suitable for all GCC participants and will take into consideration the region’s legal frameworks, Green Building Guidelines as well as draw on international and regionally established design and build codes such as LEED, GORD’s GSAS Assessment/Certification System, and Estidama, which have been used with varying degrees of success across the Middle East in recent years.

The course covers critical elements to consider at the design and planning stages of a project in order to incorporate sustainable construction principles. Additionally, the course introduces participants to LEED, GSAS and Estidama assessment methodologies. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Sustainable Procurement Policies are also reviewed for their effectiveness in the construction context.

Participants will be provided with the tools to develop their skills as a 'Sustainability Champion' at a project level. A Sustainability Action Plan will be developed by each participant and form the basis of an effective sustainable agenda to be implemented in their organizational projects upon course completion.

Course Methodology

This highly interactive course will include consideration of several International/GCC/UAE sustainability guidelines and case studies allowing participants to truly observe and reflect on the value of implementing sustainable construction methodologies within their respective organisations and the difference they can make to their own construction projects.

Please note: Depending on which region participants are from, the course may be tailored to address the requirements of specific regional green building codes & certificates, such as GSAS system for Gulf regions, Estidama Pearl system for Abu Dhabi and Al Safat for Dubai Municipality.
All participants will develop and present their own Sustainable Action Plan which can then be implemented in their organization after the course.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Define sustainable construction and address sustainability challenges at key stages of a project
Implement an effective Environmental Management System (EMS) and assess environmental risks, thereby improving environmental performance at project level
Comply with the region’s legal framework and Green Building Guidelines to protect, and enhance the physical environment where possible
Elevate environmental standards and performance across various structures in the built environment by following Green Building Certification schemes such as LEED, GSAS and Estidama
Develop and implement a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) for existing and future construction projects, and identify the tangible benefits for their organization

Target Audience

This course is designed for anyone seeking to discover ways of creating a more sustainably built environment. This could include construction project managers, civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, contract managers, site managers/agents and environmental professionals. Anyone involved with designing, creating, operating, renovating and/or demolishing structures in the built environment will also highly benefit from this course.

Target Competencies

Applying sustainable construction principles
Sustainable building design procurement and delivery
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Implementing environmental management systems

Course Outline

The case for sustainability in construction
- Defining sustainability and its benefits
- Origins of sustainability
- Sustainable development
- Current hot topics
  - Climate change
  - IPCC reports
  - Water resources
  - Soil erosion
  - Raw materials
  - Energy demand
Legal framework
- Department of Planning and Development
- Emirates Green Building Council
- Environmental/social governance
- Green growth knowledge platform
- Key focus areas (compliance)
  - Air environment
  - Water environment
  - Hazardous materials
  - Waste management
  - Noise control
  - Environment reporting
  - Administration
  - Enforcement
  - Permitting (54 areas)
  - Site visits/inspections
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in the construction industry
- Effective EMS and site controls
- EMS requirements - ISO 14001: 2004/15
- Background and context
- Key ISO elements
  - Environmental aspects
  - Policy
  - Objectives and targets
  - Programs
  - Audits
  - External validation
Green Building Guidelines
- GSAS Scheme
  - Urban connectivity
  - Site
  - Energy
  - Water
  - Materials
  - Indoor/outdoor environment
  - Cultural & economic value
- UAE Scheme
- Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 (2007)
- Aims, objectives, aspirations
- 5 focus areas
  - Indoor environmental quality
  - Water use and efficiency
  - Energy efficiency
  - Cooling systems
  - Envelope efficiency
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- LEED applicability
- Examples of LEED projects
- Core LEED elements
  - Site selection
  - Water efficiency
  - Energy and atmosphere
  - Materials/resources
  - Indoor environment
  - Innovation
  - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM)
  - Civil engineering
  - Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme (CEEQUAL)
Sustainable building design and procurement
- Challenges faced
- Physical environment
- Fundamental design features
- Procurement
  - Sourcing materials
  - Sustainable suppliers
  - Life cycle analysis
  - Product selection
  - Green Building Council (GBC)
Championing sustainability at project level
- Sustainability Action Plan (SAP)
- The implementation challenge
- What will you do differently tomorrow?

Schedule & Fees

2026 Schedule & Fees

There are no public sessions remaining for the course this year. Please contact us if you wish to have a customized in-house session, or to find out how an additional public session can be scheduled.

2027 Schedule & Fees

10 - 14 Jan, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

10 - 14 Jan, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

24 - 28 Jan, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

24 - 28 Jan, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

11 - 15 Apr, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

11 - 15 Apr, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

25 - 29 Apr, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

25 - 29 Apr, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

11 - 15 Jul, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

11 - 15 Jul, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

25 - 29 Jul, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

25 - 29 Jul, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

10 - 14 Oct, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

10 - 14 Oct, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

24 - 28 Oct, 2027

English

Per participant USD 2,900

24 - 28 Oct, 2027

Arabic

Per participant USD 2,900

Next date 10 - 14 Jan, 2027

Fee USD 2,900 Per participant

All dates & fees

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