DUBAI: Retail conglomerate Apparel Group’s headquarters and warehouses in UAE were awarded the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum accreditation for operation and maintenance, underlying the Group’s commitment to sustainability.
The 16,552.63 sq. m multi-purpose complex was built back in 2017. Around 67% of the total building material was sourced using recycled material and 100% of the total wood-based building material are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
Automated lighting control, aircon energy savers, building design that allows for natural lighting has contributed towards saving energy, while sensor taps and aerators along with dual flush systems has led to saving water. The installed irrigation systems use captured rainwater and recycled waste water, leading to 100% water efficient landscaping.
To increase the energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact, solar panels have been installed as a source of energy in Apparel Group headquarters and warehouses in 2019, where 67% of the total energy costs have been offset through renewable energy generated on-site.
Sima Ganwani Ved, Founder and Chairwoman of Apparel Group said, “We are very proud to have received this recognition and would like to thank the team for retaining Apparel Group’s vision without the expense of our environment. As a leading retailer in the region and signatory of the UN Global Compact, we continually work towards better sustainability standards in our operations. This certification is evident of Apparel Group’s contribution towards UAE’s mission to achieve a sustainable environment, integrate infrastructure and maintain high standards within the local community to fulfil our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.”
The LEED certification appraises the design, structure, and overall operations of Apparel Group’s building by assessing how these factors promote efficiency, improve performance, and optimise sustainability practices. The LEED certification also considers practical strategies and measurable solutions in areas including site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality.
Evaluated building projects are tallied to determine the LEED rating level, which is awarded one of four certifications: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
