Dar is honoured to announce that our company was named the MENA Sustainability Consultant of the Year at the 2024 MENA Green Building Awards ceremony, which took place on November 12, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Organised by the Emirates Green Building Council in partnership with nine regional Green Building Councils and endorsed by the World Green Building Council, the MENA Green Building Awards celebrate and recognize excellence and best practice in the built environment across the design, construction and operation of building projects in the MENA region. The Awards program strengthens the green building movement in the region by honouring the outstanding work of private and public sector entities, associations, consultants as well as green building and sustainability practitioners.

The MENA Sustainability Consultant of the Year award recognises Dar’s extensive advocacy for sustainability in the built environment and our track record of delivering highly sustainable and ambitious building and infrastructure projects, across the MENA region and beyond. In particular, the award honours Dar’s commitment to:

• Delivering exceptionally sustainable building and infrastructure projects for our clients, reaching LEED Platinum and net zero: Over the award period, Dar has showcased exceptional leadership in sustainability consulting, successfully delivering landmark projects such as the region’s first SITES Gold pre-certified project as well as multiple LEED Platinum-certified projects including Dubai University, which now operates at net zero energy. The firm has also conducted net zero feasibility studies for major developments. Aligning with international frameworks like the UN SDGs and the region’s post-COP28 commitments, Dar has advanced sustainability benchmarks, setting standards for the industry and providing actionable pathways for clients toward long-term sustainability, resource efficiency, and resilience.

• Pioneering thought leadership and crafting solutions for a more sustainable built environment, with global advocacy at climate summits such as COP27, COP 28, and COP29: Dar is also renowned for its thought leadership in sustainability research and knowledge sharing. For example, Dar collaborated with Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, to explore sustainable solutions for the built environment, focusing on innovative techniques like decentralized systems and sustainable materials to significantly reduce life-cycle emissions and support net-zero goals across the Middle East. The company actively participated in COP27 Sharm El Sheikh, COP28 UAE, and COP29 Azerbaijan facilitating discussions on sustainable practices and addressing complex built-environment challenges.

• Partnering with global and regional adovacy partners to advocate for more sustainable communities: Dar was also recognised for its commitment to collaborating with global and local advocacy partners to drive the sustainability agenda forward. To cite a few examples, Dar worked with CIBSE UAE to assess the local market for sustainable products and partnered with the EmiratesGBC to transform schools into greener, more sustainable spaces. Additionally, Dar collaborated with Al Ghurair Hub on the “Nomu” program, which empowers Emiratis and Arabs to prepare for a net zero future. We also supported the Africa Regional Network of the World Green Building Council in developing the Africa Manifesto for Sustainable Cities and the Built Environment Furthermore, Dar and Sidara organised the World Green Building Council Summit at its headquarters in 150 Holborn, welcoming 154 representatives from 54 countries.

• Decarbonising our own operations globally: Dar is committed to achieving net zero across its own operations, following the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. As a result of these decarbonisation efforts, Dar reported a 14% reduction in its own Scope 1 and 2 emissions until 2024. Our global offices contribute to decarbonization by replacing plastic and single-use items, and upgrading water and HVAC systems. The Luanda staff compound, powered by a new 100 kW solar photovoltaic system, demonstrates Dar’s investment in renewable energy and is expected to cut annual emissions by 478 metric tons. Additionally, Amman and Dubai have accelerated the transition to electric vehicles in their fleets.

As the Sustainability Consultant of the Year 2024, Dar is committed to making substantial strides in reducing emissions, increasing resource efficiency, supporting and delivering to clients while also inspiring other organisations in the built environment toward net-zero goals.