22nd April is Earth Day. Initially launched in 1970 with the mission to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, it is now the largest civic observance in the world, with more than 1 billion people participating!
Earth Day is a day for us to consider the things we can do to build a healthier and more sustainable future for the environment. With environmental sustainability being one of CCG’s key values, we always try to provide solutions that ae environmentally friendly and sustainable. We all have a responsibility to do what we can address climate change and protect our home.
CCG has taken an environmentally conscious approach since its establishment and has been a strong advocate for sustainable solutions for all projects. Renewable energy is a booming industry in most of the markets in which we operate, and we have taken the lead in delivering iconic projects that have collectively contributed to reaching national milestones towards the shift from non-renewable to renewable energy in some countries.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is Restore Our Earth™, which “focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.” With all of the incredible current, emerging and future green building technologies that are out there, we took this opportunity to interview some of our green building and renewable energy experts about them!
Which green building technologies and developments in the sector are you most excited for?
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Rana Al Ahwal, Head of the Electrical Department
As a solar expert, solar PV energy is still at the top of my list for technologies I am most excited about in our industry, as I believe we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. I am looking forward to a future where solar PV energy, with a proper and efficient storage system, will be the main source of energy on our planet. The transition to clean energy is about making an investment into our future!
Ahmad Jallad, Head of the Electrical Department
I’m excited about one of the emerging technologies that may help to power and light the future: Sunlight Transport! Sunlight transport is about using sunlight emitting units that look and work like normal lamps, giving off ambient light. This technology can spread light in customized ways, over a large surface, directed at the ceiling. The light changes as the sunlight outside changes, enabling people in even the darkest rooms to re-establish a connection with the natural cycle outside. This can be achieved by using fiber optic cables to lead sunlight into a building. This will allow for the building’s lighting, during daytime hours, to be provided by a passive system with no energy consumption.
Rania Al-Omari, Head of the Environment Department
I am particularly interested in working to clean the Earth of all pollutants and turning impacts into opportunities. Turning waste into energy is one exciting example, especially now that resources such as fossil fuels and water are becoming more scarce than ever before. At CCG we provide green, reliable and affordable waste management solutions, that not only eliminate climate change impacts, but also recycle valuable resources, create job opportunities, and stop open burning or landfilling. This also includes raising community awareness through engagement campaigns in the surrounding areas of the project.
Fahed Abujaber, CEO & Vice Chairman
CCG not only focuses on green technologies and renewable energy to advance the company’s agenda towards sustainability, we also respond to the ever-changing demand for projects of a specialized nature that further enhance the concept of sustainable living. One example of this is our growing experience in delivering data centers following the increased demand due to people working remotely throughout the COVID period. I am pleased to see this operational shift for many businesses and that our teams are developing experience in such projects, as they indirectly contribute to lowering carbon emissions from transportation as people no longer rely on vehicles to get to and from work.
Donya Abdel Majeed, Electrical Design Engineer
I am excited about all types of renewable energy sources as they provide a pure and free source of electricity and heat production, while creating less air pollution and reducing water usage. I am also excited about the ability to use natural daylight in the interior spaces of buildings, to reduce the need for energy consumption for artificial lighting.
Husni Khalil, Director of the Electrical Division
Of the emerging green technologies, I am most excited about the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and particularly their increased use in buildings, day to day life and bio feedback. Combining these two technologies will be the catalyst to bridge the gap between imagination and reality. Currently, we can snap our fingers to turn on a light, imagine what we will do in 20 years, imagine what we will do in 100!
