EmiratesGBC
EmiratesGBC is the official UAE Green Building Council and a membership-driven non-profit founded in 2006, serving sustainability professionals, building-industry firms, hospitality operators, and government stakeholders through education, certification, technical guidelines, and advocacy across the UAE and MENA region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What EmiratesGBC does
Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) is a Dubai-headquartered, membership-driven non-government organization founded in 2006 that operates as the official Green Building Council for the United Arab Emirates and was the first such council established in the MENA region. It is fully endorsed by the World Green Building Council and serves as a convening body for sustainability in the built environment, bringing together individual professionals, corporations across the building value chain (developers, planners, designers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, facility managers, and financial institutions), hospitality operators, educational institutions, and government entities. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with sector representation spanning banking (HSBC), real estate (Aldar), airports (Abu Dhabi Airports), engineering (Arup), and healthcare (Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi), and is led by Chairman Khaled Bushnaq, CEO Abdullatif Albitawi, and co-founder Dr. Habiba Al Mar'ashi.
EmiratesGBC's core offerings are organized into three portfolios rather than a unified software product. Education and credentialing is delivered through EGBC Academy, offering PA-CEMP certification, Building Retrofit Training (introductory and advanced), LEED Credential Training, Responsible Labour Practices, and a Hospitality Program — collectively having trained 700+ professionals. Technical programs run via the Net Zero Centre of Excellence (launched 2018), encompassing an Energy Efficiency Program, Benchmarking Program across hotels/schools/malls, and the UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint, alongside proprietary publications such as the 200-page Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings (Arabic and English), endorsed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and the Green Key hotel certification program operated under exclusive National Operator license since 2013 (154 certified hotels targeting 180+). Member-facing programs include the Sustainability Lounge co-working space (2024), the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, the Women's Network, and the Health and Wellbeing Program.
The business model is subscription-driven membership (Individual AED 1,000/year + AED 500 joining fee; Corporate AED 10,000/year; Industry Partner AED 35,000/year) supplemented by training/workshop fees, publication sales ($30-$42 per Technical Guidelines), event sponsorships (six lead Sustainability Lounge sponsors), and Green Key certification fees. Distribution is community-led and event-driven, anchored by a member portal, 240+ members, 450+ annual events including the flagship Annual Congress and 14th-cycle MENA Green Building Awards 2026, monthly technical workshops, webinars, an active social presence, and a podcast launched for the 20-year anniversary. Strategic partnerships span Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, Masdar, GBCI, RICS, IStructE, UN Global Compact, and a five-university Education Partner Network.
EmiratesGBC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EmiratesGBC
- Legal name
- Emirates Green Building Council
- Website
- https://emiratesgbc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- EmiratesGBC is the official UAE Green Building Council and a membership-driven non-profit founded in 2006, serving sustainability professionals, building-industry firms, hospitality operators, and government stakeholders through education, certification, technical guidelines, and advocacy across the UAE and MENA region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EmiratesGBC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Green Building and Sustainability Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)
Keywords
Where EmiratesGBC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
EmiratesGBC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to networking opportunities, educational experiences, technical programs, Sustainability Lounge, and Members Forum. Individual members gain opportunities to connect with sustainability advocates and participate in industry-focused events.
- Corporate Membership Fees: Annual corporate membership fees for organizations across the building value chain including developers, planners, designers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, facility managers, and financial institutions.
- Industry Partner Membership: Premium membership tier with increased benefits at AED 35,000 annually, targeting organizations seeking enhanced visibility and engagement within the green building ecosystem.
- Technical Guidelines Sales: Revenue from sale of Technical Guidelines publications - English version at $30 (100 AED), Arabic version at $30 (100 AED), or combined package at $42 (150 AED).
- Training and Workshop Fees: Fees for specialized training programs including PA-CEMP training, Building Retrofit Training, LEED Credential Training, and other capacity building workshops. Members receive discounts while non-members pay standard fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Annual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Annual Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Industry Partner Membership |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Technical Guidelines - English Only |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Technical Guidelines - Arabic Only |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Technical Guidelines - Combined Package |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
EmiratesGBC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EmiratesGBC is the official Green Building Council for the UAE, providing professional training and capacity-building programs through its EGBC Academy, building certification services (Green Key for hotels), technical publications and guidelines for sustainable retrofits, sustainability benchmarking studies, and an annual calendar of congresses, awards, and technical workshops. The organization sells individual, corporate, and industry partner memberships granting access to its Sustainability Lounge co-working facility, members forum, and curated sustainability resources across the UAE and MENA region.
Product overview
EmiratesGBC operates as the official Green Building Council for the UAE, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include professional education through EGBC Academy (with PA-CEMP, Building Retrofit Training, LEED Credential, and Hospitality Programs), technical initiatives via the Net Zero Centre of Excellence (Energy Efficiency Program, Benchmarking Program, UAE Sustainability Blueprint), and certification services through the Green Key hotel program and Technical Guidelines for building retrofits. Supporting programs encompass the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, Health and Wellbeing Program, and Women's Network. The organization facilitates knowledge exchange through annual events (Congress, MENA Green Building Awards), monthly Technical Workshops, Online Webinars, and publications including Market Briefs and Annual Reports. Member-exclusive services include the Sustainability Lounge co-working facility and access to the EmiratesGBC Forum and EEP Members Database.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EmiratesGBC Academy: Education and training division offering PA-CEMP training, Building Retrofit Training, Responsible Labour Practices, LEED Credential Training, and Hospitality Program.
- Sustainability Lounge
- Net Zero Centre of Excellence
- Green Key Program
- MENA Green Building Awards
- Emirates Coalition for Green Schools
- Women's Network
- Health and Wellbeing Program
Products and services
- EGBC Academy Education and training division offering professional development courses including PA-CEMP certification, introductory and advanced Building Retrofit Training, Responsible Labour Practices, LEED Credential Training, and the Hospitality Program for green building professionals across the UAE and MENA region.
- Net Zero Centre of Excellence Hub for net zero building research, strategy, and implementation support, encompassing the Energy Efficiency Program, Benchmarking Program, and UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint initiatives.
- Technical Guidelines for Retrofitting Existing Buildings A 200-page publication featuring 31 key retrofit methods for existing buildings in the UAE, endorsed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and available in both Arabic and English.
- Green Key Program Hotel certification program operated by EmiratesGBC as the National Operator, recognizing hotels that meet environmental sustainability standards; has certified 154+ Green Key hotels in the UAE.
- EmiratesGBC Membership (Individual, Corporate, Industry Partner) Tiered membership program offering Individual (AED 1,000/year + AED 500 joining fee), Corporate (AED 10,000/year), and Industry Partner (AED 35,000/year) tiers, granting access to networking events, educational experiences, technical programs, the Sustainability Lounge, Members Forum, and exclusive member resources.
- Emirates Coalition for Green Schools Initiative supporting sustainable school environments through the Sustainable School Building Guidance Booklet and related educational resources for schools across the MENA region.
- Benchmarking Program Program conducting energy and water performance benchmarking studies for hotels, schools, and malls across the UAE, providing fact sheets and comparative data for building performance improvement.
- Sustainability Lounge Co-working Space Co-working space within EmiratesGBC's Dubai office exclusively for members and partners, featuring sustainable materials and design, and providing a collaborative environment for sustainability innovation and networking.
- EmiratesGBC Annual Congress Flagship annual conference bringing together local and global experts on sustainable building practices, featuring panel discussions and congress briefings on topics including net zero, decarbonization, and climate resilience.
- MENA Green Building Awards Annual awards program, now in its 14th cycle (2026), recognizing outstanding achievements in sustainable buildings and communities across the MENA region, endorsed by the World Green Building Council.
Quantifiable outcome
- 154 Green Key certified hotels with goal to reach 180+
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use EmiratesGBC
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EmiratesGBC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
EmiratesGBC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- World Green Building CouncilcoreEmiratesGBC achieved full membership in the World Green Building Council by September 2006, establishing its position as the first Green Building Council in the region. The organization actively participates in WorldGBC Leadership Summits, regional MENA Green Building Council discussions, and international projects including Better Places for People and Advancing Net Zero Project steering committees.
- Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity CouncilcoreStrategic partner providing quality and conformity standards alignment for green building practices in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai MunicipalitycoreKey strategic partner supporting green building regulations and sustainability initiatives in Dubai, aligning with Dubai Green Buildings Regulations and Specifications.
- Masdar (A Mubadala Company)coreStrategic partner supporting clean energy and sustainable development initiatives in the UAE.
- UN Global CompactmajorEmiratesGBC joined the UN Global Compact in 2014, committing to align operations with universal sustainability principles.
- GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute)coreStrategic partner for green building certification support and LEED credentialing programs.
- Emirates Authority for Standardization and MetrologymajorStrategic partner for standards development related to green buildings and sustainability.
- RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)majorStrategic partner supporting professional standards and practices in the built environment.
- American University of SharjahmajorEducation partner providing academic collaboration and professional development opportunities in sustainable building practices.
- Heriot-Watt University DubaimajorEducation partner supporting research and training in sustainable building and green technologies.
- Khalifa UniversitymajorEducation partner contributing to academic research and professional education in sustainability.
- IStructE (Institution of Structural Engineers)majorSigned MoU to collaborate on sustainability and climate action in the built environment.
- GRFNmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, contributing to collaborative workspace for sustainable innovation.
- RAK CeramicsmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, providing sustainable materials for the co-working space.
- Saint-GobainmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, contributing sustainable building solutions.
- SkyTechmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, providing sustainable technology solutions.
- AkzoNobelmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, contributing sustainable paint and coating solutions.
- Farnek ServicesmajorLead sponsor of the Sustainability Lounge, providing facilities management expertise.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EmiratesGBC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EmiratesGBC social profiles
Digital presenceEmiratesGBC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
EmiratesGBC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EmiratesGBC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
EmiratesGBC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EmiratesGBC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EmiratesGBC
What does EmiratesGBC do?
EmiratesGBC is the official Green Building Council for the UAE, providing professional training and capacity-building programs through its EGBC Academy, building certification services (Green Key for hotels), technical publications and guidelines for sustainable retrofits, sustainability benchmarking studies, and an annual calendar of congresses, awards, and technical workshops. The organization sells individual, corporate, and industry partner memberships granting access to its Sustainability Lounge co-working facility, members forum, and curated sustainability resources across the UAE and MENA region.
Is EmiratesGBC a public or private company?
EmiratesGBC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was EmiratesGBC founded?
EmiratesGBC was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is EmiratesGBC based?
EmiratesGBC is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does EmiratesGBC make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are corporate Membership Fees, industry Partner Membership, technical Guidelines Sales and training and Workshop Fees.
Does EmiratesGBC have an API?
No public API is recorded for EmiratesGBC.
What industry is EmiratesGBC in?
EmiratesGBC's product category is Green Building and Sustainability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAA, Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support. Its NAICS code is 813910.