UAE Embassy in Washington DC certified LEED Gold
Date
1/21/2016 7:38:51 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI 21st January 2016 (WAM) -- Following a comprehensive retrofit the UAE Embassy in Washington D.C. has achieved the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating for Existing Buildings the only embassy in the world to have this distinction.
The US Green Building Council has given the embassy LEED Gold status for its strategies for improving the building's environmental and human health performance according to a range of criteria. These include energy efficiency water usage waste management materials selected transportation and indoor environmental quality. The Finnish Embassy in Washington with a LEED Platinum rating is the only embassy in the U.S. with a higher rating.
The UAE Embassy's focus on improving the building's energy efficiency has also earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR certification. The building now performs in the top 25 percent of similar buildings across the United States for energy efficiency and meets the EPA's strict energy efficiency requirements.
Yousef Al Otaiba Ambassador of the UAE to the USA said "The LEED Gold rating and ENERGY STAR certification reflects our commitment to sustainability and sets a new benchmark for our nation's embassies and consulates across the world. Thanks to the dedication of the UAE Embassy employees that led and supported the retrofit the UAE Embassy now stands as one of the most sustainable buildings in the United States."
Masdar Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company played an important role in the retrofit by developing a comprehensive sustainability plan to conserve energy and reduce the embassy's carbon footprint. Masdar supported the embassy throughout the project from the earliest assessments to the installation of new equipment and through its completion.
Omar Al Shamsi Deputy Chief of Mission at the UAE Embassy in Washington said "The UAE Embassy in Washington has reduced its overall energy use by 40 percent. This significant decrease will lead to enormous savings in the embassy's electricity costs while preventing the emission of nearly 400 tonnes of CO2 annually.
"Through the sustainability retrofit we have improved the building's air quality and raised energy awareness amongst the embassy staff. These accomplishments exemplified by the building's LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR certifications underscore the UAE's leadership in sustainability. The UAE Embassy in Washington is appreciative of Masdar's support for this project."
Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany Masdar's Director of Sustainability said "Masdar is proud to share our proven expertise in implementing resource-efficient measures and designing sustainable buildings for government entities as well as the private sector. With the help of Masdar's sustainability roadmap for the UAE Embassy in Washington the building has achieved ENERGY STAR designation for its superior energy efficiency and LEED Gold for its approaches for improved environmental performance."
WAM/AAMIR/Moran