Regional Coverage

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Louise Waters

Middle East

03.Jul.2026

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 3rd July 2026
• Year: 2026

Saudi Arabia’s National Council for Occupational Safety & Health (NCOSH) has launched an Occupational Safety & Health Bulletin, Mesbar

The first issue focuses on preventing heat stress in the workplace, covering risks and prevention, the legislative and regulatory framework, smart tools for monitoring heat stress, and local and international practice in heat stress management.

The periodic publication aims to reflect professional activity in the field of occupational safety and health, contribute to the continuous transfer of knowledge, and keep pace with the regulatory and professional developments taking place in the sector, while ensuring that the content remains close to the needs of readers and target audience. It seeks to highlight priority topics, review recent developments, and present professional knowledge in a way that contributes to supporting occupational awareness and reaching a wider audience.

In a leadership article to mark the first issue, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi H.E. the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and chairman of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health notes that the occupational safety and health sector in the Kingdom is undergoing continuous development, reflecting the growing attention given to building safer and more sustainable work environments.

“This comes amid the expansion and diversification of work activities across various sectors, accompanied by a continuous need to develop preventive practices, raise compliance levels, and enhance awareness of occupational risks and ways to mitigate them,”he says. He adds that investment in prevention strengthens protection, improves performance, and reduces risks.

The Minister underlines the Kingdom’s progress in updating regulations, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and developing initiatives to support compliance across workplaces, aligned with national priorities to improve quality of life and promote safe work environments. He highlights the role of the Council in advancing regulation and building a clear regulatory framework to strengthen safety and health. He discusses its work with relevant entities in the Kingdom and the development of joint programmes and initiatives, emphasising the importance of cross-sector collaboration.

He also outlines the Council’s activities in raising awareness and promoting knowledge-sharing.

“As this field continues to develop, the need remains to continue strengthening knowledge, expanding participation, and supporting initiatives that make occupational safety and health a renewed culture and a constant presence across all workplaces,” the Minister concludes.

The issue can be accessed here https://www.ncosh.gov.sa/en/media-center/reports/

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Louise Waters

Middle East

03.Jul.2026

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 3rd July 2026
• Year: 2026

A new regulation tightening up the requirements for workers in high-risk occupations such as construction comes into effect on 3 July in Saudi Arabia

The regulation on Organising Work in High-risk Professions establishes an integrated system for licensing and accreditation for individuals and establishments working in occupational safety and health, defining the standards that need to be met, with the aim of ensuring the quality of services, and raising the competence of practitioners and specialised establishments.

In an insight article posted on law firm Pinsent Masons website, it noted that the regulation is highly relevant to employers operating in sectors where work involves elevated safety risks – such as construction, heavy equipment operations, welding, cutting, and mechanical work. (According to General Authority for Statistics Health and Safety at Workplace Statistics 2025, the leading cause of occupational injury in the Kingdom is exposure to mechanical forces).  It raises the bar for workplace safety and compliance, the law firm commented.

The regulation provides a framework for the classification of certain occupations as ‘high-risk’, and associated obligations on both employers where employees and workers fall into that category, the article noted. Obligations also fall on individual employees and workers where they are considered to perform a high-risk role.

Employer obligations

Each employer is responsible for determining whether their employees or workers are undertaking “high-risk profession activities”, which is a broad concept, the paper added. For example it could include work at height or in confined spaces; working under high temperatures or sunlight; involved in manual lifting and transportation of loads; moving vehicles or equipment; dealing with noise, heat or vibrations; involved in welding or cutting; dealing with chemicals, radiation or medical waste; or working in remote isolation from other people and “vital” facilities. Other factors also need to be taken into account, ranging from the type, method and duration of their exposure to materials or factors to the number of fatalities and accidents associated with the role.

The regulation also covers medical fitness for those employees in high-risk occupations, with employers required to ensure that both existing and new employees undergo medical training and examinations. Employees and workers will be required to pass medical fitness examinations to obtain a licence enabling them to perform a high-risk role, and employers have a duty to avoid tasks in high-risk professions being assigned to individuals where they do not have the necessary licence in place. In some cases specialist training will need to be undertaken to perform certain roles.

Other obligations on employers include the requirements to notify hazards that may affect the safety and health of workers or employee during the performance of their work, and to investigate and report workplace accidents.

“The introduction of the new regulation marks a decisive shift in how employers must manage safety critical roles,” said Dr. Sairah Narmah-Alqasim of Pinsent Masons. “It represents a structural change in the labour market that will require organisations to rethink how they recruit, train, and supervise workers in high risk environments.”

Sadia Farooq, also of Pinsent Masons, added that the regulation raises expectations for both employers and service providers, and it will quickly expose gaps in existing workforce capabilities.

Also this year, the Regulation for Occupational Fitness Examinations and Non-Communicable Diseases Examinations came into effect, requiring employers to implement mandatory fitness examinations for workers to ensure they can safety perform their roles. Covering physical, mental and psychological fitness, they go beyond traditional pre-employment medical checks by incorporating a holistic approach that includes mental and psychological wellbeing.

The new regulations reflect the onward drive to raise standards and strengthen the culture of occupational safety and health, supporting the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 to improve workforce wellbeing, modernise labour practices, raise productivity and protect lives and property.

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Louise Waters

Middle East

01.Jul.2026

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 1st July 2026
• Year: 2026

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR)’s commitment to safety and risk management has been recognised with recent awards

SAR received the excellence in digital transformation of safety systems award from digital health and safety system Safe365 in recognition of its efforts to develop an advanced digital framework for measuring and improving institutional safety culture. It was awarded the Risk Team of the Year Award from IIRSM for excellence in implementing risk management practices and enhancing operational safety through an integrated institutional approach.

As reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), these awards reflect a strategic path pursued by SAR in recent years to establish safety as a core pillar of its operational and governance framework by adopting an integrated institutional model that links executive leadership, data-driven analysis, operational intelligence, predictive analytics, and continuous improvement, contributing to enhanced operational readiness and strengthening the reliability of the railway network in accordance with global best practices.

SAR has evolved its approach to safety, moving from a focus on procedures and compliance to an embedded safety culture built on employee empowerment, shared responsibility, and linking safety to performance, sustainability, and operational quality. In line with this approach, it has developed the operational governance framework, enhancing executive leadership's role in risk reviews and field visits, adopting advanced tools to measure safety culture and operational behaviour, and leveraging data and operational intelligence to support decision-making and improve risk management efficiency.

This has been facilitated by joining the Rail Safety and Standards Board earlier this year, enabling SAR to adopt best international practices in governance, operational safety, and intelligence. It enables SAR to access advanced research and technical programmes including risk management, predictive analysis, and operational intelligence models that enhance performance quality and operational efficiency, in the drive to develop a safer and more efficient railway network.

Further reflecting the company’s proactive approach to safety, CEO of SAR Dr. Bashar bin Khalid AlMalik has received the CEO Award 2026 from the British Safety Council as part of its International Safety Awards. The award recognises the leadership and strategic vision of CEOs who have made a vital contribution to the health and safety of their business and to the wider society during 2025.

SAR has implemented a range of initiatives and programmes to strengthen its safety culture, as reported by the SPA. These include awareness campaigns to reduce violations and unsafe behaviours across the railway network, the adoption of internationally recognised models to measure safety culture and analyse operational behaviours, specialised training and awareness programmes for leaders and employees, and the use of advanced technologies, data, and operational intelligence to support decision-making and enhance risk management. These initiatives are reported to have led to a 75% reduction in level-crossing accidents, a 62.5% decrease in injuries, a 63% reduction in near-miss incidents, and a 68% decline in collisions within rail yards and workshops.

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shivani dhruv

Middle East

29.Jun.2026

• Topic: Security
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 29th June 2026
• Year: 2026

The Ministry of Public Health has conducted an awareness workshop on heat stress, bringing together approximately 160 occupational health and safety officials representing various companies.

The initiative was designed to strengthen awareness among occupational health and safety professionals and employers about the dangers associated with heat stress, while improving understanding of effective prevention strategies. The workshop focused on supporting worker health protection and reducing heat-related injuries, particularly among those engaged in outdoor activities during the summer months.

Dr Salah Abdulla Alyafei, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Public Health, said the workshop formed part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to create safer and healthier workplaces that are better prepared to manage challenges caused by extreme temperatures. He highlighted the importance of coordinated awareness initiatives between the Ministries of Public Health and Labour, aimed at reaching private-sector workers and improving health and safety awareness across the workforce.

Dr Mohammed Ali Al Hajjaj, Head of the Occupational Health Section at the Ministry of Public Health, said the programme covered several essential areas, including the meaning of heat stress, contributing factors, warning signs, symptoms and prevention techniques. He added that discussions also focused on workplace best practices for tracking heat stress levels and monitoring heat-related indicators to improve employee safety and minimise health risks linked to prolonged heat exposure.

Representatives from the Emergency Department at Hamad Medical Corporation delivered sessions on the immediate first-aid measures required at worksites when employees experience heat stress. They also shared statistics on heat stress cases treated in emergency departments during 2025, which indicated a reduction compared with previous years. However, they stressed the importance of continued vigilance, especially during August, when temperatures typically create greater risks.

Experts from the Occupational Health and Safety Department at the Ministry of Labour outlined key approved measures and workplace requirements designed to safeguard employees. These included the prohibition of outdoor work in exposed areas between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from 1 June to 15 September each year, alongside requirements for providing adequate drinking water and shaded rest facilities at worksites.

The workshop also included practical guidance on measuring workplace temperature and humidity through different monitoring devices. Participants were informed about early warning signs of heat-related illnesses and effective prevention approaches, including gradual acclimatisation to high temperatures, maintaining proper hydration, managing work and rest schedules, and using suitable personal protective equipment.

The event concluded with the distribution of printed and digital awareness resources highlighting heat stress symptoms, preventive actions and recommended workplace practices to help reduce risks associated with heat exposure.

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Louise Waters

Middle East

25.Jun.2026

• Topic: Industrial
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 25th June 2026
• Year: 2026

Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) has held a workshop at the Grand Hyatt Dubai with the aim of enhancing safety, governance and compliance standards across Dubai’s petroleum products and trading system

The workshop for companies and institutions operating in the energy sector furnished participants with comprehensive information and understanding about the provisions of Executive Council Resolution No. (85) of 2025 Regulating Dealing in Petroleum Products in the Emirate of Dubai, which provides a comprehensive legislative framework governing the activities of companies operating within the petroleum products sector.

The Resolution further strengthens Dubai’s ability to combat the illegal trade of petroleum products while safeguarding lives and property, supporting the Emirate’s economic and environmental objectives, and enhancing the efficiency and resilience of its energy ecosystem.

The workshop was attended by specialised teams and petroleum products experts from relevant UAE entities including ADNOC, ENOC, Emarat, Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Defense (DCD), Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Supreme Legislation Committee.

H.E. Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, secretary general of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and chairman of Dubai Regulatory Committee for Petroleum Products, gave a keynote address, underlining that the Resolution regulating petroleum products trading marks a significant milestone in enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and competitiveness of Dubai’s market. By establishing a clear and robust regulatory framework, the resolution ensures the highest standards of safety, compliance, and transparency, while enabling companies to operate within a structured environment.

His Excellency added that these efforts help maintain a resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem in Dubai, while enhancing the sector’s continued growth and capacity to adapt to future developments.

The workshop  featured interactive discussions with key stakeholders on licensing requirements for activities related to petroleum products trading, including import, distribution, transport, sales and purchase, manufacturing, marketing, and storage. Additionally, participants were briefed on the regulatory framework governing petroleum products transport within the Emirate of Dubai. The workshop further raised awareness among establishments regarding the necessity of obtaining both a commercial licence and a permit issued by the Council before undertaking any relevant activity. It also highlighted the importance of complying with requirements related to identifying the source of materials, providing proof of procurement from approved companies, and ensuring that storage, transportation, and manufacturing facilities meet all security, safety, and environmental standards approved by the relevant authorities.

This regulatory framework reflects the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s commitment to developing an integrated petroleum products trading system founded on governance, transparency and effective oversight, supporting Dubai’s vision of building a safe, sustainable, and future-ready energy sector.

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shivani dhruv

Europe

25.Jun.2026

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Europe
• Date: 25th June 2026
• Year: 2026

The Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updated rules designed to strengthen protection for workers exposed to hazardous substances that may cause serious illnesses, including cancer and asthma

The agreement relates to the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), which updates EU occupational health and safety legislation by introducing stricter measures against workplace exposure to dangerous substances.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a high level of protection for workers against serious occupational health risks. By introducing new occupational exposure limit values, we are ensuring that the Union’s legislative framework keeps pace with the latest scientific evidence and technological developments. This outcome will help create safer working environments for millions of workers across Europe and further strengthen the prevention of work-related illnesses,” said Marinos Moushouttas, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Republic of Cyprus.

The revised rules are expected to prevent approximately 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other work-related illnesses over the next 40 years.

Under the proposed revision, the directive will introduce new occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 1,4-dioxane. It will also add welding fumes to the list of substances, mixtures and processes covered under Annex I of the directive.

As part of the provisional agreement, the Council and Parliament agreed to expand the scope of the directive by introducing an OEL for isoprene. The agreement also extends the transitional period for applying the new OEL for PAHs to seven years and expands the sectors eligible for this transition period to include all carbon and graphite manufacturers.

The revised framework will also introduce requirements for regular breaks for workers using personal protective equipment (PPE) and clarify rules governing PPE use in relation to existing legislation.

In addition, the agreement updates the definitions of 'carcinogen', 'mutagen' and 'reprotoxic substance' to reflect the inclusion of welding fumes in Annex I, recognising their potential reprotoxic effects. It also highlights the need for further guidance on welding fumes and notes that establishing occupational exposure limits alone does not completely remove risks to workers’ health and safety.

The provisional agreement must now receive formal approval from both the Council and the European Parliament. Once adopted, the legislation will enter into force following legal and linguistic review.

The CMRD establishes measures to prevent and control risks arising from exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances in workplaces across the EU. The directive requires the introduction of occupational exposure limits wherever possible.

Following an evaluation of EU occupational safety and health legislation in 2017, the CMRD has undergone several updates, with five revisions already adopted addressing more than 40 hazardous substances. The European Commission presented its proposal for the sixth revision on 18 July 2025.

To read detailed information please click here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu

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Louise Waters

Middle East

24.Jun.2026

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 24th June 2026
• Year: 2026

Road safety in Saudi Arabia has improved significantly in recent years, according to the 2025 annual report of Saudi Arabia’s Ministerial Committee of Traffic Safety

The report highlighted a significant improvement in road safety indicators across the Kingdom, recording a dramatic reduction of more than 60% in traffic fatalities between 2016 and 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Traffic fatalities fell from 8,632 deaths in 2016 to 4,438 in 2025, while the number of injuries decreased from 36,787 to 24,290, a reduction of around 34%. From 23,263 serious accidents in 2019, the figure declined to 17,805 in 2025, representing a decrease of almost 23%.

The main causes of accidents were insufficient safe following distance (29.2%), sudden swerving (27.9%), failure to give right of way (10.3%), distracted driving (5.6%), and driving against traffic flow (0.7%), highlighting the need to further promote safe driving behaviour.

In 2025, the Kingdom’s traffic fatality rate fell to 12.05 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 28.8 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, a drop of around 58%.

This progress is attributed to coordinated multi-sector efforts, expanded use of technology to reduce violations, improved infrastructure efficiency, and enhanced emergency response systems.

The combined efforts of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministerial Committee of Traffic Safety, regional traffic safety committees and other authorities, have seen measures implemented ranging from improving the road infrastructure and signage to traffic law enforcement and instilling safe driver behaviour.

The report noted key developments in 2025, including updates to the traffic system with stricter measures for serious violations by foreign drivers, improved emergency response times, and the introduction of Saudi Road Code standards in new projects, supporting infrastructure safety and sustainability.

The Roads General Authority (RGA), the national regulator of Saudi Arabia’s road sector, aims to raise the quality of roads to rank sixth globally by 2030 and reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people.

Road network upgrade

In 2026, Saudi Arabia pushed ahead with a major upgrade of its national road network to support safer pilgrim movement during Hajj, as part of a broader, multi-sector transport readiness plan, according to Saudi Press Agency reports.

The RGA deployed what it described as the world’s largest fleet of advanced road surveying and assessment equipment to enhance safety and efficiency across the Kingdom’s roads. According to the SPA, the fleet uses high-resolution cameras and laser sensors capable of detecting surface defects such as cracks and rutting with precision of up to 0.05 millimeters, alongside systems measuring pavement thickness, road alignment and skid resistance.

In the Madinah Region, the RGA launched a centralised road operations centre designed to strengthen monitoring and response capabilities during the pilgrimage period, bringing contractors and reporting teams together in one location to streamline communication, improve coordination and accelerate responses to incidents and emergencies.

The authority said the centre enables direct monitoring of weather developments and emergency situations, allowing officials to make faster operational decisions and improve traffic management.

The RGA is also promoting the use of new materials and road cooling technology as part of long-term efforts to improve road quality, boost safety standards and improve the efficiency of the road network  in the drive to rank among the world’s leading countries for road quality by 2030.

See also: https://hsereview.com/industry-insights/saudi-arabia-deploys-ai-powered-road-inspection-fleet

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Louise Waters

Middle East

22.Jun.2026

• Topic: ESG
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 22nd June 2026
• Year: 2026

The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), DP World and Dubai Maritime City have joined together in an environmental awareness campaign titled “Save Our Harbor”, to enhance environmental awareness, promote best practices for protecting the marine environment, and reduce pollution in port waters

The campaign focused on raising awareness among maritime sector personnel about the risks of marine pollution resulting from oil waste, hazardous chemical waste, and contaminated wastewater. It also emphasised the importance of complying with approved environmental procedures, implementing proper waste management practices, and ensuring the safe handling of hazardous materials.

As part of the campaign, joint field visits and inspection activities were conducted by Dubai Ports Authority and Dubai Maritime City, covering around 18 vessels at a ship repair yard, to verify that no sewage or contaminated water was being discharged into port waters and to ensure compliance with approved environmental requirements.

Captain Ibrahim AlBlooshi, executive director of Dubai Ports Authority at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said, “The ‘Keep Our Ports Clean’ campaign reflects our commitment to enhancing environmental awareness among all stakeholders in the maritime sector and unifying efforts to maintain a safe and sustainable marine environment in line with international best practices. The campaign also highlights the importance of partnership and collaboration among relevant entities in supporting environmental sustainability and ensuring the continuity of maritime operations in an efficient and responsible manner”.

He added that the campaign adopts an innovative digital awareness approach, enabling participants to scan a QR code to access digital educational materials, including illustrations and simplified content explaining potential sources of pollution, preventive measures, and the regulations and procedures established by Dubai Ports Authority to protect port waters from contamination.

AlBlooshi further stressed that protecting the marine environment is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders operating within the maritime sector. He noted that Dubai Ports Authority continues to develop environmental and awareness initiatives in line with international best practices, contributing to the sustainability of maritime operations and enhancing environmental quality across Dubai’s ports.

The campaign was implemented with the participation of experts from Dubai Ports Authority, Dubai Maritime City, and DP World’s Health, Safety and Environment Department, as well as marine service providers, personnel working in shipbuilding and repair yards, and vessel crew members.

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shivani dhruv

Middle East

22.Jun.2026

• Topic: Fire Safety
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 22nd June 2026
• Year: 2026

The Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, has announced the death of 13 workers following an accidental incident at the Barzan Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant on 21 June

During a press conference held on Monday at the headquarters of QatarEnergy, His Excellency confirmed that the explosion and fire at the Barzan LNG Plant was an 'accidental incident' and was not linked to sabotage or any deliberate act of wrongdoing.

He said the relevant authorities have begun a comprehensive investigation to identify the causes behind the incident.

Al Kaabi confirmed that the deceased workers were from India and Pakistan. He added that among the 66 people injured were citizens and residents from Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria and Nepal. None of those injured were reported to be in life-threatening condition.

The Minister said the explosion occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. inside the facility, which is operated by QatarEnergy to supply natural gas for domestic requirements. The plant had been temporarily shut down since December 2025 for essential maintenance and repair activities and had resumed operations only two days before the incident.

Emergency response teams from QatarEnergy, working alongside Civil Defense authorities, successfully brought the fire under control and extinguished it, Al Kaabi said.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to their colleagues, while wishing a quick recovery to the injured. He also confirmed that QatarEnergy is providing all necessary support to those affected by the incident.

Al Kaabi stated that QatarEnergy’s LNG facilities, Ras Laffan Port and all logistics operations associated with the energy sector were not impacted by the incident. He confirmed that LNG production and export activities continue as normal.

He further stressed that there are no environmental concerns or risks of hazardous material leakage resulting from the fire. The relevant authorities have monitored the situation since the incident occurred and have not identified any environmental threats requiring action.

Addressing media questions, the Minister said the immediate priorities are to continue monitoring the condition of the victims and injured workers, while completing technical investigations to establish the causes of the incident.

He explained that it remains too early to determine the extent of material damage or associated financial losses, as assessments and investigations are still ongoing.

Regarding the potential impact of the plant shutdown on domestic gas supplies, Al Kaabi noted that while the facility is an important source of natural gas for local industrial sectors, including petrochemicals and fertilisers, Qatar has reserve capacity and alternative operational measures in place to ensure uninterrupted supply.

He confirmed that the incident has not affected LNG exports or Qatar’s contractual commitments to international customers, with production and export operations at other facilities continuing without disruption.

On the timeline for the plant’s return to full operations, Al Kaabi said it was premature to provide a specific timeframe. He explained that the schedule would depend on the findings of the technical investigation and the completion of detailed damage assessments by engineering and maintenance teams once they access the affected area.

The Minister also confirmed that the incident would not affect Qatar’s future energy sector plans, stating that expansion projects and strategic initiatives remain on schedule.

Discussing safety measures, Al Kaabi highlighted that industrial facilities across Qatar operate under strict occupational safety and security regulations. He said the ongoing investigation would examine all possible causes, including human error, technical issues, equipment failures and other operational factors.

He added that the investigation findings would help determine the exact causes of the incident and support the implementation of corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He reaffirmed that Qatar’s energy sector follows the highest internationally recognised safety standards.

Concluding the press conference, Al Kaabi reiterated QatarEnergy’s commitment to transparency throughout the investigation process. He said the findings would be made public once the investigation is completed, while the company continues to provide care and assistance to the injured workers and the families of those who lost their lives.

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Louise Waters

Middle East

19.Jun.2026

• Topic: ESG
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 19th June 2026
• Year: 2026

The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) is using its 20-year legacy to spearhead the next chapter of sustainable development within the nation's built environment as the United Arab Emirates accelerates its ambitious journey towards achieving Net Zero by 2050

Recently, the Council hosted an anniversary gala, ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainable Impact’. This milestone event brought together industry pioneers, partners, and government leaders to commemorate two decades of landmark achievements. The gathering launched a renewed mission that focuses entirely on future-proofing buildings across the UAE for a resilient, decarbonised world.

Driving environmental transformation

 As a cornerstone of the UAE's sustainable building movement, the Council is doubling down on its commitment to drive environmental transformation. With the building sector currently causing a significant portion of the country's carbon emissions, EmiratesGBC's future focus plays a critical role in meeting national climate goals. The organisation's work will drive the deep retrofitting, new construction standards, and circular economy principles that the UAE needs to successfully achieve its Net Zero by 2050 ambition.

Khalid Bushnaq, chairman of EmiratesGBC, emphasised the urgency of this new chapter: “The immediacy of our climate goals means sustainability no longer serves as a luxury or an afterthought, but as a core responsibility we owe to the world and future generations. We feel immensely proud of the foundational role EmiratesGBC has played, but the challenge ahead requires us to act bolder. Our focus remains squarely on the future, as we ensure the built environment enables an equitable and sustainable life for all.”

EmiratesGBC used the event to announce the upcoming launch of ‘The Sustainability Lounge’ to actively accelerate public engagement in this vital mission. EmiratesGBC designed this new podcast series to extend the critical conversation surrounding sustainability beyond industry professionals. This initiative will bring important discussions about green buildings and sustainable living directly to the people who live and work in these spaces, making the wider public active participants in the sustainability journey.

Two decades of impact

Two decades of foundational achievements solidly support EmiratesGBC’s forward-looking mission. Since its inception in 2006, when the World Green Building Council recognised it as the eighth green building council, EmiratesGBC has acted as a pivotal force

Key historical milestones include:

• Regional Leadership: The Council’s instrumental role in establishing the WorldGBC MENA Network, alongside launching the respected MENA Green Building Awards, has firmly solidified its leadership position.
• Regulatory Influence: Furthermore, EmiratesGBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the UAE’s broader regulatory landscape over the years.
• Policy Development: Its collaborative work alongside major governmental bodies—including the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Dubai's Supreme Council of Energy—has produced tangible policies. These successes include national retrofitting guidelines and vital energy benchmarking frameworks.

A collaborative future

Outlining the Council's strategy, EmiratesGBC chief executive officer, Abdullatif Albitawi, commented: “Our role as a convener remains more critical than ever. We are creating the platforms where we forge the solutions for our Net Zero ambitions. The MENA Green Building Awards will continue to spotlight the tangible innovations our region can produce, while our Annual Congress will provide the space where the industry collaborates, challenges, and learns, ensuring we all leave better equipped to build the future.”

Arabian Gulf Steel Industries provided Platinum Sponsorship for the 20th-anniversary celebration, which served as the official launchpad for an intensified focus on the future, reaffirming shared commitments to meeting the UAE's ambitious climate targets.

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shivani dhruv

Europe

16.Jun.2026

• Topic: Industrial
• Region: Europe
• Date: 16th June 2026
• Year: 2026

Europe is facing a growing climate-driven threat landscape marked by record-breaking temperatures, severe floods, prolonged droughts and increasingly destructive wildfires

In response, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has published three new climate resilience products aimed at strengthening the ability of decision-makers, communities and citizens to understand, anticipate and respond to escalating climate risks.

The new releases come at a time when Europe is warming at twice the global average rate since the 1980s, with climate and weather extremes placing a significant burden on societies and economies. According to EEA data, the European Union has recorded approximately €822 billion in total economic losses between 1980 and 2024 due to extreme weather and climate-related events. Alarmingly, around 25% of these losses occurred between 2021 and 2024, indicating a sharp intensification of impacts. These events have also resulted in more than 441,000 fatalities across the region.

Despite ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EEA warns that climate impacts will continue to intensify in the coming decades. This reinforces the urgent need for both climate mitigation and adaptation measures to protect people, infrastructure and economic systems.

Central to the new publications is the EEA report, Climate resilience in Europe, 2025 — progress and challenges, which provides a comprehensive assessment of national adaptation policies and actions across 32 EEA member countries. Based on the latest reporting under the EU Governance Regulation, the report finds that while all member countries now have national adaptation policies in place, significant gaps remain between policy design and practical implementation.

The assessment highlights uneven progress in monitoring and evaluating adaptation effectiveness, with many countries lacking robust data systems to determine whether risk reduction measures are working. It also notes that coordination challenges across governance levels, unclear risk ownership and variable institutional capacity continue to hinder policy coherence, particularly at regional and local levels. Social vulnerability and equity considerations are also not yet systematically integrated into national adaptation planning.

Looking ahead, the report identifies heatwaves and rising temperatures as the most significant future hazards across all countries, followed closely by floods and droughts. It calls for a more integrated adaptation policy cycle that better connects risk identification, anticipatory action, monitoring and shared learning, alongside stronger legal and institutional frameworks at EU level.

Complementing the report, the EEA briefing Small but mighty — climate resilience in Europe’s small municipalities examines climate adaptation efforts in smaller communities, which are home to over 40% of the EU population. While many small municipalities are already taking action on climate risks, only 16% have formal adaptation plans compared to 28% of larger cities. Key barriers include limited resources, restricted access to technical expertise and unclear governance responsibilities.

The EEA has also launched a new interactive platform consolidating its evidence base on extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires. The platform provides data, projections and case studies to support resilience planning at national, regional and local levels. It reinforces the scale of the challenge, noting that climate-related extremes have caused €822 billion in losses in the EU since 1980, with recent years among the costliest on record.

Together, these initiatives underline the urgent need for coordinated climate adaptation efforts to strengthen resilience across Europe’s societies, economies and workplaces.

Read the full European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment on climate resilience, extreme weather impacts and adaptation challenges across Europe: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/extreme-weather-and-uneven-climate-adaptation-challenge-europes-resilience

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shivani dhruv

Middle East

15.Jun.2026

• Topic: Industrial
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 15th June 2026
• Year: 2026