Qatar Green Building Council says “Thank you” to volunteers

Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) honoured its volunteers recently during a recognition ceremony, celebrating their efforts to support and advance green development in Qatar. Taking place on its premises at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the event gathered together QGBC’s members and volunteers.

Eng. Meshal Al-Shamari, QGBC’s newly appointed director, praised the volunteers, stating, “I would sincerely like to thank each and every one of you for giving up your time – your most valuable asset –to serving our cause. Your efforts and support are essential to promoting a culture of sustainability in Qatar. I am excited about the priorities we have discussed for the coming months and look forward to building on these achievements through continuing to work in collaboration together.”

QGBC, a non-profit organisation, depends on the strength of its volunteers and members to promote environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development. The volunteer force consists of members who serve with the interest groups that make up QGBC, including the Solid Waste Interest Group, Water Interest Group, and Green Infrastructure Interest Group. They support QGBC by steering the agendas of the various interest groups and driving sustainability initiatives. Volunteering tasks range from providing support at events and serving on committees to participating in education outreach initiatives.

Attendeees were in good spirits as they received their certificates and vouchers, and expressed their pride at being part of a rapidly growing community dedicated to driving the sustainability agenda forward.

Mohamed Jaber, an electrical engineer at KEO International Consultants and Head of the Education Committee at QGBC, expressed the importance of a volunteering as integral to raising awareness about sustainability in Qatar. “This is a great cause,” he said. “The only way to achieve results is through volunteers. We are a volunteer-based organisation, so we do depend on people to step up and help.

“The environment is important to mankind, not just to a certain community. It is important in Qatar, just as it is important in any part of the world, that we try to preserve our environment.”

Following the recognition ceremony, QGBC organised a brainstorm session designed to generate ideas to help promote sustainability within Qatar. Lee Allen, a chartered landscape architect from Atkins, reiterated the efforts that have been made to engage the community. “I think the most useful public-facing contribution we’ve made to date has been through our public events,” he said.

“We’ve hosted evening sessions where we presented to the public various practical green tips they can introduce into their own residences, such as reusing water to wash cars. The public has been really receptive. A few years ago, sustainability wasn’t well understood or given much credibility. Now it is taken very seriously and people are recognising the importance of it.”

To learn more about QGBC’s activities, become a member or volunteer, visit  www.qatargbc.org.

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