Habiba Al Mar’ashi, nominated by Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), has joined the Board of Directors of the World Green Building Council’s Board for 2021-2023. The Board comprises an influential group of global leaders, who are driving forwards the largest global-regional-local action network to deliver net zero, healthy, equitable and sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere.
Al Mar’ashi was appointed to the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) Board of Directors for her leadership and dedication to the sustainable building movement, both in the United Arab Emirates and at a global level. She has earlier served on the Membership Committee of the WorldGBC.
Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, said: “Habiba Al Mar’ashi has been a true champion of sustainability, and has worked tirelessly to position the best practices in the building and construction industry as central solutions to face the climate change, health and environmental crises.
It is this commitment, expertise and strong leadership that has earned her place on our Board of Directors. Together with our fellow Directors, I look forward to working with Habiba as we continue our collective journey with our 70 member Green Building Councils to transform the built environment and deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.”
Al Mar’ashi said: “It is my honour to join the Board of the World Green Building Council, which has been actively engaged in promoting sustainable built environments as well as innovative initiatives that support climate change action. This is a true recognition of the work of EmiratesGBC, which has pioneered dialogue and concerted action to promote the culture of sustainability across the construction supply chain. With the UAE focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter by the turn of this decade and having invested significantly in transitioning to a clean energy mix, we will continue to support the nation – and the region – through the global insights gained from WorldGBC. This new position will also enable us to share best practices and learn from others on how we can progress towards net zero by 2050.”
Al Mar’ashi co-founded the EmiratesGBC in 2006 and serves as its Treasurer and Board Member. She is also the Co-founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), a pioneering non-government organisation established in the UAE in 1991. She single-handedly established the Arabia CSR Network in 2004, as the MENA region’s first and only multi-stakeholder platform with local and multi-national entities. Under her leadership, both organisations achieved tremendous success and repute, emerging as preferred partners across sectors. She guided EEG to become the first environmental NGO in the world to receive ISO 14001 certification.
Al Mar’ashi has been actively associated in leadership roles in global bodies such as UN Global Compact (Board Member 2006 – 2013), UNEP (civil society representative), Global Reporting Initiative Stakeholder Council (GRI), a member of the Advisory Committee of the Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL) Certification Advisory Board for the Middle East. She is currently a Vice Chair of the Global Urban Development and Patronage Committee member of myclimate. She is also a member of the board of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General, which works to unlock impediments and promote solutions for mobilising long-term private investment for sustainable development. She is a member of the Advisory Board for several Academic Institutions, and works extensively on empowering women and promoting sustainability.
The WorldGBC Board of Directors comprises senior leaders that have been put forward by 14 Green Building Councils from around the world. The Board guides the strategy of the WorldGBC and ensures that it successfully delivers on its mission.
The following Directors have been appointed to the WorldGBC Board for the term of 2021-2023:
- Michael Brooks, nominated by Green Building Council Canada (Treasurer)
CEO of REALPAC and former Treasurer of Canada GBC - Habiba Al Marashi, nominated by Emirates Green Building Council (Board Member & Treasurer of EmiratesGBC), President of Arabia CSR Network, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG)
- Elizabeth Wangeci Chege, nominated by Kenya Green Building Society (Vice Chair)
Founder Kenya Green Building Society - Rachel Skinner, nominated by Chile Green Building Society
Executive Director, WSP
- Hastings Chikoko, nominated by France Green Building Society
Regional Director Africa, C40
- Ilari Aho, nominated by Finland Green Building Council (Secretary)
Vice President of Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs at Uponor Corporation - Dario Ibarguengoitia, nominated by Sustentabilidad para Mexico AC
President, IBALCA - Felipe Faria, nominated by Green Building Council Brazil
CEO of GBC Brazil
About World Green Building Council (WorldGBC):
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) catalyses the uptake of sustainable buildings for everyone, everywhere.
Transforming the building and construction sector across three strategic areas—climate action, health & wellbeing, and resources & circularity—we are a global action network of 70 Green Building Councils from around the world
As members of the UN Global Compact, we work with businesses, organisations and governments to drive the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Through a systems change approach, our network is leading the industry towards a net zero carbon, healthy, equitable and resilient built environment.
About Emirates Green Building Council:
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was founded in June 2006, and became the 8th full member of the World Green Building Council in September 2006. EmiratesGBC promotes and educates on green issues in the built environment and is the official body for the UAE endorsed by the World Green Building Council. EmiratesGBC currently has around 170 members in the UAE which represents 1000s of individuals interested and involved in Green Building in the UAE and the region. In addition, EmiratesGBC members receive discounts on a number of programmes such as those related to conferences, seminars, training and green building events.
