Habiba Al Mar’ashi has been appointed as Vice Chair of the World Green Building Council, underscoring the UAE’s increasing role in global sustainability initiatives, spearheaded by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG).
As Co-founder, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), Habiba recently participated in the WorldGBC Leadership Summit 2024 in London, UK. Her goal was to network and gain insights into the latest global trends, policies, and best practices in green buildings and urban sustainability. This sector plays a crucial role as a lever in climate solutions.
During the WorldGBC Board Meeting, she was appointed as Vice Chair of the World Green Building Council in acknowledgment of her outstanding contributions and leadership in sustainable building practices. She is the first Arab to achieve this position. With a strong track record in advancing sustainability in the UAE, Habiba will now play a pivotal role in driving forward the sustainable and equitable transformation of the built environment. Her expertise will be instrumental in translating WorldGBC’s refined strategy into tangible global achievements.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, said, “I’m extremely honoured to take on a new role as the Vice Chair of the World Green Building Council (WGBC). As the first Arab to be elected to this prestigious position I will strive to engage with global stakeholders to champion actionable change in the built environment. With UAE’s wise leadership committed to achieving a green economy, we are well positioned to lead the world’s sustainable mission and I look forward to fulfilling my duty with honour and dedication.”
During this period, Habiba and the Board of Directors are working to connect global ambitions with local actions by empowering changemakers, guiding finance actors, and inspiring policymakers with a broader vision. At the WorldGBC Leadership Summit 2024, a refreshed brand image and a strategic multi-year plan were introduced. The focus is on scaling successful projects, enhancing advocacy efforts, and driving impactful actions to achieve ambitious goals beyond 2030 in the built environment.
At the summit, Habiba also participated in the book launch titled “Financing Transformation: A Guide to Green Building for Green Bonds and Green Loans,” held at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
Habiba, Co-founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), established in 1991, has led the organization to pioneering achievements. Under her guidance, EEG became the world’s first environmental NGO to attain ISO 14001 certification. Her influence extends to co-founding the Emirates Green Building Council in 2006, where she presently holds the roles of Vice Chair and Treasurer.
Beyond her national contributions, Habiba has held significant leadership positions on the global stage. She has served as a UN Global Compact board member and as President of the UNGC – GCC Network. Her involvement as a civil society representative for UNEP underscores her commitment to international environmental advocacy. Additionally, she has contributed her expertise to the Global Reporting Initiative Stakeholder Council and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Certification Advisory Board for the Middle East.
Habiba currently holds the position of Vice Chair at the Global Urban Development and is a Patronage Committee member at myclimate. She is also serving her second term as a member of the influential Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, highlighting her ongoing commitment to sustainable development efforts.