Published: November 18, 2009
Qatar Sustainable Assessment System (QSAS) Wins International Award of Excellency for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development From the IREF Summit in London
DOHA, Qatar - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Qatar Sustainability Assessment System "QSAS" that was launched by
BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI), that focus on studies
about new knowledge in sustainability and its application, has won the
Excellence award for outstanding contribution to sustainable development
at the 2009 International Real Estate Financial Summit in London.
QSAS was recognized among some of the leading companies in the financial
and real estate sectors and was among 28 other award winners at the
event.
The ceremony, held at the Radisson SAS Portman Square Hotel in central
London, was attended by CEOs and representatives from international
finance and real estate companies. Dr. Yousef Al-Horr, Chairman and
Managing Director of BQDRI, received the QSAS prize from Ms. Liz Peace,
CEO of the British Property Federation.
The award nomination was handled by a judging committee comprising
international VIPs working in the financial and real estate sectors.
QSAS was recognized by the committee as outstanding, and over and above
any other nominated system and company.
The selection criteria included:
-
The system expansion strategy to include a wider geographic area or to
be adopted by other companies or countries in the region
-
The size of achievements realized by the company which has developed
the system
-
The system development strategy to ensure specialized activities
-
The social role played by the selected company
Commenting on receiving the prize, Dr. Al Horr said: "It is a great
honour to win such a prize after considerable growth and important
achievements. We have developed QSAS over three years, and it has been
introduced as the Middle East's first integrated and performance-based
Green Building Assessment rating system. So, QSAS is different in its
foundation essence because it corresponds to the environment and
needs of this region, when other practiced methods depend on imported
systems that were developed to address different environmental climates."
Dr. Al Horr added: "The sustainability concept continues to grow. We at
BQDRI strategically support the people and employees working in the real
estate sector by empowering them about the concepts of sustainability.
We are delighted with the prize which comes in recognition of our
ongoing contribution to develop this sector."
By participating in such an event and winning the excellence award,
BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute confirms its full commitment
and ability to support the accomplishment of the objectives of Qatar
Vision 2030. This is based on two things: developing the human asset to
play a major role in achieving a developed and sustainable environment,
and leading Qatar's real estate sector with new concepts for sustainable
development derived from QSAS.
The initiative of both BARWA and Qatari Diar came in response to the
invitation of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar
calling for the participation of various sectors to introduce
initiatives to help create a better environment.
In his speech to the general debate of the UN General Assembly last
month, HH said: "One such pressing crisis is that of finding energy
alternatives. Another similarly vital question is that of the climate
change and its impact on the environment and life on this planet."
Showing support for sustainability development, Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom Gordon Brown has urged world leaders to recognize that
the future presents tests on climate change that are as huge as the
banking crisis. On climate change he said: "If we miss this
opportunity to protect our planet, we cannot hope for a second chance
sometime in the future. There will be no retrospective global agreement
to undo the damage we have caused. This is the moment now to limit and
reverse climate change we are inflicting on future generations."
He added: "If the poorest and most vulnerable are going to be able to
adapt, if the emerging economies are going to embark on low-carbon
development paths, if the forest nations are going to slow and stop
deforestation, then the richer countries must contribute financially."
"Rather than pushing the environment into a lower order of priority,
the environment is part of the solution."
In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month, UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urged world leaders to reach an agreement
at the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change in December 2009. "The
leaders must work to push the negotiations forward to reach an agreement
in Copenhagen, this is very essential for the future of humanity. I urge
the leaders of the world to act on the basis of their responsibility
toward the world and to address the global challenges."
During the forum Dr. Al Horr delivered a lecture about QSAS, which was
developed by Qatari Diar Research Institute in collaboration with T.C.
Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University
of Pennsylvania, USA. In addition to speaking about Green Building
Design Guidelines and Sustainability Rating System and Energy Standards,
Dr. Al Horr also tackled the perspective and the method applied in
developing this framework and its relevance to the international
standards and best practices in sustainability and green buildings.
Dr. Al Horr said: "We work on establishing quality initiatives that will
lead the real estate development sector in Qatar and the region, and to
encourage professionals and engineers in Qatar by providing them with
necessary tools and practices for developing and implementing the
concept of sustainability."
He added: "Our participation in knowledge dissemination and shifting
from theory to application aims to further provide real estate and
finance professionals with the latest advancements in sustainability
development or green building. This provides the opportunity to showcase
QSAS and its role in developing the concept of sustainability both in
Qatar and across the region."
He continued: "The participation of BARWA and Qatari Diar Research
Institute in such events, and winning the excellence award, is part of
the essence of Qatar Vision 2030. When looking at the environment, which
is at the centre of this vision, the Institute is fully committed to
supporting Qatar's actions to protect it.
The careful balance between economic and social needs and the conditions
of preserving the environment is a national duty that identifies our
strategic options, in this regard. The basics of our environment will
become more important when we support QSAS through legislation which
will contribute to transforming the sustainability concept from being
optional to becoming mandatory."
The draft to be presented before the land summit in Copenhagen next
month includes the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental
Program (UNEP) directed to all countries of the world. This encourages
all countries to develop policies which reduce the negative carbon
emissions of buildings and developing indicators and metrics to report
on emissions from buildings. It will also establish national guidelines
to enable reporting of achieved emission reductions. QSAS comes at the
beginning of the suggested solutions, which is considered to be an
unprecedented step forward for the region to contribute to developing
right solutions to face the climate change problem.
The BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute launched QSAS at the Global
City Forum held in April 2009 in Abu Dhabi. The Institute confirms its
commitment to continue playing its role in positioning Qatar as a
capital of sustainable development in the Middle East and to take the
initiative in dealing with the regional and local energy efficiency
policies. This includes reducing negative carbon emissions on the
environment so as to ensure a high quality environment for Qatar and the
region.
Dr. Al Horr concluded: "The participation of BARWA and Qatari Diar
Research Institute in this international forum and the introduction of
QSAS is a fundamental and important step on the way towards an adopted
policy to develop and implement the sustainable concept in Qatar and the
region. This will deal with local issues such as desertification, water
scarcity and cultural identity."
More than 300 delegates participated in the forums from more than 24
countries around the world and included delegates from the GCC, Middle
East, Europe and the United States. The forum discussed the challenges
facing the financial and real estate sectors and an exhibition for the
participating companies' products was held on the sideline of the forum.
BQDRI will organize several QSAS technical workshops from November 22 to
24, in collaboration with experts and researchers from T.C. Chan Center
for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of
Pennsylvania (USA). The training and developing workshop will focus on
encouraging professionals (30 participants only), consultants and
engineers from the real estate industry to be more creative when
designing and constructing sustainable buildings which have less
environmental impact and address the needs of sustainability in Qatar
and the region., It will also provide participants with the latest
information on green building principles and practices, as well as their
method of implementation in Qatar (QSAS Analysis Tools), in terms of
green views, water, energy, building systems and lighting.
The November QSAS workshop will complement the training workshop
presented in July 2009. All the participants, especially QSAS -
CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL " will undergo training on
procedures and the use of measuring tools, as well as practical advice
on directing the consultants successfully through the different stages
of the assessment.
The date of the exam, which allowed the participants of the July
workshop to become QSAS - CERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL ,
will take place on November 25, 2009 from 8 am till 12 30 pm, at BARWA
Knowledge Building on D-Ring Road.
Source: ME
NewsWire
Notes to the Editor
Go Green with BQDRI
The BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI); a joint
venture between Barwa Knowledge, Subsidiary of Barwa Real Estate, and
Lusail Real Estate Development Company, Subsidiary of Qatari Diar Real
Estate Investment Company; is a non-governmental organization whose
purpose is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building
practices in Qatar.
BQDRI aims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional
and global consortium and network of respected research institutions,
consulting and technology companies, real estate and construction
companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine
interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the
Institute to address the environmental challenges and empower the
construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable
development, design and construction, and for BQDRI to be one of
the driving forces behind this transformation.
Our Objectives
-
Knowledge Creation - BQDRI will engage in research relates to
the development of knowledge and processes whose applications range
from the building to the urban scale.
-
Research-based Consultancy - BQDRI will offer research based
consultancy services on existing buildings and new construction
projects as well as testing simulations and system integration.
-
Information Dissemination - BQDRI will provide educational
opportunities for professionals through teaching & research, training
& workshops and publications.
-
Business Development & Administration - BQDRI will
strategically partner with local, regional and international
organizations to develop strategic and innovative solutions in the
fields of Renewable, Materials & Products Manufacturing, Recycling and
Transportation
BARWA Knowledge
Bassel Hanbali, +9746542099
Marketing &
Business Development Director
bassel.hanbali@barwa.com.qa
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