UAE-headquartered AESG says it has joined an elite group of 51 signatories to the World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) ‘Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment’ initiative.

In a bid to curtail the global temperature rise to within the 1.5°C to 2.0°C target set by the historic Paris Agreement at COP 21, the World Green Building Council

WorldGBC established the programme in a bid to help curtail the global temperature rise to within the 1.5°C to 2.0°C target as set by the historic Paris Agreement at COP 21.

As a signatory, the consultancy has committed to ensuring its offices operate at net zero energy consumption by 2030. Furthermore, through the wider reach of its projects, the company has the potential to positively impact thousands of buildings worldwide, furthering the net zero agenda and contributing towards a more sustainable future.

23 cities, 6 states and regions, and 19 businesses – including Middle East property developer Majid Al Futtaim – across the globe have demonstrated their support for the commitment and Saeed Al Abbar, managing director, AESG, says the initiative provides a pathway for the public and private sector to lower the carbon footprint of the construction industry.

“We hope that in providing a pathway to net zero on all of our projects, we will be able to help stimulate the transition to decarbonising the global economy in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Change agreement,” said Al Abbar. “We are proud of our latest partnership with the WorldGBC and commend them on this initiative. Achieving the goals of this commitment will require close coordination between public and private entities and the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment provides the ideal platform to facilitate this engagement.”

Cristina Gamboa, CEO, WorldGBC added: “We are inspired by the leadership action demonstrated by the early signatories to the Commitment. Reaching this significant milestone of over 50 signatories demonstrates that businesses are recognising the value net zero buildings present to their operations; and policymakers are acting on the responsibility to their citizens to provide more efficient and healthier buildings for us to occupy every day.

“Our Green Building Councils are supporting their members to better understand how these targets can be applied in practice, and respond to the climate emergency facing us.”