RIYADH — Saudi Arabia would maintain its status as the leading global oil exporter by adopting green building solutions in the development of new infrastructure and construction of new buildings, Ali U. Al Najim, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Green Building Council (SGBC), told the Saudi Gazette ahead of his speech and presentation today (Sept. 18) at the “Saudi Mega Infrastructure Projects 2012” summit at Riyadh Marriott Hotel. He underscored that “energy savings is the most important factor” when considering the design of green building. His presentation is titled “Joining Global Green Building Efforts for Mega Projects”. Commenting on the earlier published report by Citigroup that Saudi Arabia could be a net oil importer by 2030, Al Najim said by following green building guidelines, though the energy demand will grow up to 120 GW as forecast, “by implementing green building strategies…19 gigawatt could be saved easily… and 28 GW if existing demand considered” until 2030. “If you add King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE) program (62 GW), that will increase energy saving to 90 GW. As a result, oil will be needed only for 30 GW, which is the demand of 2006. Hence, huge energy is saved if green buildings strategies are followed in addition to KA-CARE program.” As a consequence, Saudi Arabia can, in the long run, also export power aside from oil that would continually “safeguard Saudi Arabia's international energy leadership,” he noted. The SGBC Deputy Chairman, in his speech, said the World Green Building Week highlights the key role of buildings in conserving resources, saving money and creating jobs, while providing healthier places to live, work and play. Al Najim noted that the building industry is taking the lessons learned in delivering greener, healthier buildings and “working together, we can create great communities.” Defining green building as the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life cycle from sitting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction, Al Najim noted the environmental benefits of green building, such as reducing environment impacts and emissions, water conservation, storm water management, temperature moderation, waste reduction, and protecting natural areas, among others. Moreover, green building also offers social benefits, such as improved health, healthier lifestyles and recreation, he added. Al Najim also encouraged mega projects to join the global green building efforts by, among others, “thinking healthy, big and connected” in transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improve the quality of life. SGBC is a non-profit-organization and a chapter of King Saudi University for scientific committees. Established in 2009 under the Saudi Society for Agricultural Sciences, and funded by an interest group of professionals and academics in the fields of engineering construction and environmental sciences, SGBC is accredited by the World Green Building Council exclusively in Saudi Arabia. SGBC organized and participated in several national/ international workshops, conferences and activities related to green buildings industry. SGBC's goal is to promote and facilitate the green building awareness, practice and knowledge. In addition, it strives to preserve the country's urban identity and environment, by supporting creativity and innovation. — SG/QJM
