Green buildings movement is becoming increasingly influential

Green Technologies managing director Mario Seniveratne told the MEED Saudi Green Buildings Forum 2011 in Riyadh this morning that the green buildings movement is becoming influential in a growing number of countries.

“There are more than 80 countries signed up to the green building agenda,” Seniveratne said. “They include the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.”

Seniveratne said that a coherent approach to applying green building principles will deliver economic and environmental benefits. “Green buildings are the solution to environmental and business challenges,” he said.

Seniveratne said that the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system is still dominant in the Gulf.

“There are more LEED buildings than those rated by any other system,” Seniveratne said. “It’s been used in the region for 13 years. It’s easily adapable to the Middle East but you can use any one of the many green building rating systems.”