Sustainability reporting Consulting in accordance with Global reporting initiative standard.

We have helped several clients in adopting the Global reporting initiative sustainability reporting standards for preparing their annual sustainability report as a sustainability reporting consultant. These reports disclose the company’s performance on the environmental social and economic front. The Global reporting initiative standards are considered to be the pioneering Global standards for reporting on sustainability and it also features best practices in terms of reporting on several economical environmental and social topics for indicators. Being a sustainability reporting consultant we have assisted several of our clients in preparing their sustainability report in accordance with the latest GRI standard for the core as well as comprehensive option. When we prepare the sustainability report for our clients as a sustainability reporting consultant we always follow basic reporting principles.

These principles are suggested by the Global reporting initiative and also ensure the quality of the report Being a sustainability reporting consultant we follow these principles. These principles include accuracy, balance clarity compare ability, reliability and timelines. When we prepare the reports for our clients as a sustainability reporting consultant we also follow some principles in order to define the report content. These principles include:

1. Stakeholder inclusiveness which means identifying all the stakeholders and then engaging with them to understand their reasonable expectations and interest in the company’s performance.
2. The sustainability context the report is developed and discloses performance spanning across the three pillars of sustainability which is people planet and profit.
3. Completeness the report should cover material topics boundaries so as to reflect the economic environmental and social impacts of the organisation.
4. Materiality thorough materiality assessment and ensure that the report reflects significant economic environmental and social impacts and other respects that substantively influence the assessments and the reasons of the stakeholders whether internal or external.

We have provided our services to several clients as sustainability reporting consultants. Please reach out to us in case you have any queries related to sustainability reporting in line with Global reporting initiative standards.

GHG protocol and carbon footprint.

The greenhouse gas protocol is also known as GHG protocol is one of the most widely used Global accounting standard and tool used by businesses governments and individuals to understand quantify and manage the GHG emissions. GE3S uses GHG protocol to estimate the carbon footprint for its clients. GHG protocol is like a foundation for almost all Greenhouse gas programs running globally. GHG protocol through a decade long partnership between the world resource Institute and the GHG protocol has helped businesses governments and environmental groups create carbon footprints develop baselines and set targets for emission reductions ultimately leading to climate change mitigation. The requirement for GHG protocol was felt by the world resource Institute when it felt that there is a requirement for a global standard for carbon footprint assessments and reporting that can assess or assist the growing climate change policy globally.

Corporates such as the British Petroleum, General Motors came together and developed the report which was called a safe climate sound business. This report identified an action agenda for climate change mitigation and also mentioned that there is a need to have standardization of carbon footprint assessments. This was happening in the late 90s and as a result, an agreement was reached that a Non-governmental organisation will be launched with partnership from businesses to set up a standardised method for carbon footprint assessment. This materialized in the year 1998. A steering committee was formed which included members from WWF, Global climate change, the energy and resources Institute and also from industry leaders such as Tokyo electric, shell etc.

This committee guided the multi-stakeholder engagement process for developing the carbon footprint standard. The GHG protocol sets standard for developing carbon footprint, essentially on how to measure manage and report the greenhouse gas emissions from a business organisation or an event or individual or activity. Hundreds of organisations across the globe nowadays are using GHG protocol to estimate their carbon footprint and manage emissions in an efficient and resilient manner. GE3S has used the GHG protocol in several of its assignments related to carbon footprint estimations. We find this guidance very useful while we are dealing with engagement related to carbon footprint. This has been developed through discussion with stakeholders and is still being developed on several fronts and suggestions from stakeholders are being sought. This is one of the success factors for GHG protocol to be used across the globe for carbon footprint assessments.

How to become LEED Green Associate with efficient time management.

People often ask us on how can we become leed certified? Our response to them is as an individual you can never become leed certified, leed certification is for buildings and not for professionals. People always get confused between leed certification and a leed accreditation such as leed green associate. Buildings are leed certified and people are LEED accredited.

Once this nomenclature is clear for professionals then we further explain them the steps involved to become a leed green associate. In order to become a leed green associate, one should make them aware of three organisations. The first one is USGBC which deals with outlining and establishing the leed standard as well as the LEED Green Associate Exam requirements. Second is GBCI, the gbci runs the leed accreditation programs for professionals such as leed green associate and also leed certification for buildings. The third is the prometric centre, the Prometric is a test centre that administers the leed green associate exam. There are two types of accreditation that denote two different levels of leed accreditation. These are leed green associate and leed AP.

LEED green associate is an entry-level certification that requires you to pass the LEED Green Associate exam. If you become a leed green associate after passing the lead green associate exam then it would mean that you have a documented and up-to-date understanding of the current sustainable building principles and practices and you are committed to the sustainable design and construction professional future. Once you have decided to go ahead and take the leed green associate exam, you must register for the exam first. You can log in to your leed online credential by using the website of leed online if you don’t have one then you can create a profile with login ID and password. Then you can select the LEED Green associate exam under the section called as credentials. The website will redirect you to prometric.com / gbci where you can schedule your leed green associate exam date as well as the location for the exam.

The person aspiring to become a leed green associate must pay the registration fee for each leed green associate exam attempt separately. Studying for the leed green associate exam is very important. The Leed Green associate exam contains 100 questions which are randomly delivered and you have 2 hours to complete them. The leed green associate exam consists of multiple-choice questions. Once you have passed the LEED Green Associate exam you would get your leed green associate certificate. For any further queries on LEED green associate certification feel free to contact GE3S at vishal.kumar@ge3s.org.

The growth of carbon footprint development in the UAE an example of water bottling company

Considering the awareness of global warming and climate change issues a lot of Government and Private organisations have started creating their carbon footprint. We have seen especially in the Middle East that a lot of action is being undertaken on the environment and social sustainability in the beverages sector industry. One of such environmentally conscious and sustainable companies is zulal water factory. GE3S conducted the carbon footprint exercise for water factory. Entire emissions for scope 1 and scope two were calculated. Part of scope 3 emissions will also be estimated. Zulal has a visionary leader as its chairman. Zulal had a great year thus far a lot of achievements we are gained with aspirations to build growth be competitive and establish an outstanding workplace. Zulal Sumeet it’s carbon footprint report to the United Nation and also of set all the images through Carbon credits.

The UN awarded zulal water factory with climate-neutral now status. This is a very important status been awarded by climate neutral now department of the United Nation. It is only given to those companies who have made great progress in reducing their emissions. Zulal believes that corporate social responsibility is a key element to all of its operations. Sustainability is the lens through which zulal aspirants to make good business decisions Jhula believes it has a responsibility to be responsible company to support its communities and actively promote a sustainable future. Keeping this in mind it has been developing it’s, photo print for last 3 years continuously and successfully achieving the climate-neutral now status. In order to further reduce carbon footprint and explore latest technologies team from zulal visited Bosch headquarters in Germany the management and the factory engineers team visited the headquarters in Germany to see the demonstration of bottle lines.

The demonstration was given for the blow moulding process of thermo sealed neck bottles. The team was given a complete tour of the operations and the new machines. This machines are efficient and also reduce energy which intern reduces the carbon footprint as well. Zulal takes pride in being the first Organisation in the world to introduce 150 ml and 100 thermo seal neck bottles in the world. Spanish to continuously work towards reducing its carbon footprint and assisting in climate change mitigation in line with National and Regional priorities.

Zulal also participated in the peak hour initiative of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority. This one-hour power saving on every July first was an initiative launched by Shiva. People are encouraged to shut down the electrical equipment from 2:30 to 3:30 on that day. A lot of awareness campaigns have been initiated to let people know about this initiative and save electricity. This year in Sharjah 39 megawatts of energy was saved and about 562 tons of carbon emissions were reduced. We are proud to have partnered with such a forward-looking and sustainable company in their low carbon transformation Journey.

 

Carbon footprint a measure of anthropogenic pressure on global warming.

Globally average temperatures have been increasing each year breaking the record of the previous one. The natural calamities have increased across the world. We are saying much more frequent floods storms wildfires that are causing damage to life and economy both. At the centre of all these calamities lies the ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Scientists have read the increasing Global temperatures with the increasing Greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nation form the United Nation Framework convention on climate change a letter on a protocol was signed under the United nation which was called the Kyoto Protocol. This was the first Global effort to Greenhouse gas emissions.

Under this protocol several countries are given target to reduce their Greenhouse gas emissions. Cap and trade mechanism was also developed so that the developed countries can undertake projects in the developing Nations and meet their emission reduction targets.The first commitment period for this was from 2008 and 2012. After the first commitment period few countries pulled out from Kyoto Protocol. Slowly the greenhouse gas emission reduction responsibilities also shifted and the private sector started taking notice of it along with actions to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions.

In the recent past it has been seen that several Global Corporates and multinationals have estimated their carbon footprint and have committed emission reduction targets. Carbon footprint is the measure of total Greenhouse gas emissions emitted from an organisation or individual or event at any activities during a fixed tenure. Normally the carbon footprint is calculated and reported for one year. Also the greenhouse gases reported under the carbon footprint are normally those gases that were covered under Kyoto Protocol which includes Carbon dioxide, Methane nitrous oxide, CFCs and HFCs.

Carbon footprint estimation is also catching up in the Middle East as well. We have seen several leaders disclose their Greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the leaders who have already disclose their carbon footprint includes corporates like Majid Alphathum Aramex Dubai electricity and Water Authority Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority. So boards government as well as private sector companies has started reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and have also started taking measures to reduce this emissions. GE3S has been working as a carbon footprint advisor for several companies in the Middle East and Asian region.  Our services include carbon footprint estimation carbon neutral certification, carbon strategy development etc.

GE3S helps in keeping emissions low by consuming less energy.

The building industry is thriving and places like India, UAE, and many other countries will have enormous growth in building construction in the next decades. The buildings are one of the main consumers of energy and when we look at the end-use energy consumption, HVAC consumes the largest chunk of building energy.  If we follow the current trends of energy consumption in the building sector, the CO2 emissions globally are spiking up and we are struggling to keep them low to avoid global warming. GE3S is well-known LEED Consultant in Dubai and have worked on 50+ LEED Projects in the middle east and Asia.

So, to avoid this, we have to make more energy and resource-efficient green buildings, which will help us keep the emissions low by consuming less energy. Such efficiency in buildings can be ensured by various certifications which are available globally and nation-wide. LEED, also known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is one such certification system which is very effective and can be implemented globally to all kinds of buildings. This certification system provides a rating to the buildings on achieving a minimum number of credits/points as mentioned in the LEED documentation.

LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability throughout the United States and around the world. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has established a set of criteria and specifications for LEED certification which promotes forward-thinking, cost-effective design, and construction practices while reducing the negative impact on both the environment and building’s occupants.  LEED certification also helps with state and local government incentives and boosts interest in your project.

Our team of experienced LEED consultants has many years of combined experience in coordination and implementation plans. We can review building plans and specifications to transform them into a true LEED model with detailed documentation.

The USGBC has very precise specifications and we deliver a final product that is detailed and complete. Qualifying points will be accurately verified and entered into the LEED model. The various documents for different criterion are labelled and stored in separate binders and folders.

We at GE3S, are a team of highly experienced Architects, Engineers and Consultants working closely with the client and the stakeholders to deliver LEED consulting solutions to the projects. We provide green and sustainable solutions for a global world that requires new solutions.

Through our smooth communication & project management system, locality to projects is not much needed. From the design phase to the construction phase and post-occupancy, we fully resource and supplement your project’s team with our LEED Certification Consulting expertise.We work hand-in-hand with the contractor’s team, delivering solutions effortlessly, that address the LEED project and team needs, through our holistic and integrated process. We serve every client and every stakeholder with impeccable service, solutions, and results that are always on-time and are not compromised on quality.GE3S is renowned LEED Consultant in Dubai. We have helped several companies certify their projects with Leed. Our team has all expertise requires for a leed consultant. For more information visit our services page at http://www.ge3s.org

 

 

Introduction to ISO 50001

ISO 50001 is is an energy management system guidance. It provides specifications that have been developed by the international organisation for standardization in order to implement an Energy Management System. This ISO 50001 standard provides requirements for developing implementing and thereafter managing and improving Energy Management System. The purpose of this energy management system is to help an organisation to establish a systematic process in order to achieve continuous improvement in energy performance indicator.  Through this energy management system corporate ship to achieve energy efficiency, energy security as well as improves sustainability performance. This energy management system helps companies in reducing their energy use and also the associated cost as well as the greenhouse gas emissions that happen from energy consumption. ISO 50001 one was developed in the year 2011 and can be implemented for any type of organization regardless of its size sector or location. The updated version of ISO 50001 was released in the year 2018. This energy management system is modelled on ISO 9001 which is a quality management system and also is compatible with the ISO 14001 environmental management system. Through this energy management system, ISO 50001 companies seek to achieve improved energy performance and reduced their energy intensity and also identify energy reduction opportunities which also lead to cost reductions.

This ISO 50001 guidance provides a systematic approach for organizations which we can follow and achieve energy targets. A consistent Energy Management shall help corporates in realizing the untapped energy efficiency potential as well as Greenhouse gas mitigation potential. The companies are expected to benefit from savings on energy cost as well as contribute significantly to climate change mitigation by reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide. This standard shall also help in employee awareness and in particular the training of the management level employees on Energy Management processes. The ISO 50001 has been designed in line with other ISO management systems so that it can be seamlessly integrated with other ISO systems. This ISO 50001 also follows the PDCA cycle which is plan-do-check-act. The ISO guideline has the following major components:

1. Scope
2. References
3. Definitions
4. Context

5 Leadership requirements

6 Planning

7. Supporting
8. Operations
9. Performance evaluation
10. Improvement

GE3S has experience in implementing ISO 50001 systems across sectors and geographies. If you are looking forward to achieving energy efficiency and reducing their energy intensity as well as helping the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions then get in touch with us so that I can help you implement the energy management system and you can reduce your energy cost as well as intensity.

 

GE3S provides LEED Green Associate Exam training in Dubai

The Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) administers the leed professional exams including the leed green associate exam. These exams are conducted for professionals who are looking forward to earning credential and certificates that are recognised by USGBC in the field of green building. These exams test knowledge based on U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system also called as leed. The leed professional credential such as leed green associate was developed to encourage professionals to get a professional certificate in green building domain. In order to achieve the leed green associate credential, one must pass the leed green associate exam. Once you have earned the leed green associate professional certificate after passing the LEED Green Associate Exam it would provide your employer or other stakeholders with the assurance of your capabilities or understanding in the field of Sustainable building design. These certificates now a day marks the most qualified educated and influential green building professionals in the sustainable design Marketplace.

All leed professional credentials including the leed green associate exam require adherence to the disciplinary and example policy of the GBCI. After having passed the leed green associate exam one must continue the ongoing credential maintenance requirements. These are learning hours that need to be earned either through continued education or through practical experience on a leed project. These continuing hours are checked every 2 years. These continuing hours credentials were introduced in 2009. Professional who passed the leed green associate exam before 2009 do not need to adhere to this credential renewal program. As you all might know there are three types of leed professional credential the first one is leed green associate the other one is leed AP with the speciality that you can choose and the third one is leed fellow. People who want to establish themselves as professionals having expertise in non-technical fields of Sustainable building design and construction practice leed green associate certification is a must for them.  This can be earned after passing the leed green associate exam this credential denotes basic knowledge of green building design construction and operations in the real estate industry. In order to appear for the leed green associate exam, there is no requirement to have experience in the form of a leed project experience for even employment or even a course for the educational certificate. The leed green associate exam includes a hundred questions which should be answered in two hours. The content of the exam focuses on the leed project process the concepts of Sustainable building design and construction. The terminologies of green building and other aspects of the leed rating system including energy and atmosphere sustainable design, indoor environment quality. The fees for leed green associate exam is Dollar 200 for USGBC members and Dollar 250 for non-members the students can avail the further discount and for them, the fees are only 100 dollars. For leed AP credential people can choose for different specialities including leed AP building design and construction or leed AP homes or leed AP interior design + construction or leed AP neighbourhood development or leed AP operation and maintenance. If you are looking for appearing and passing the leed green associate exam then please reach out to GE3S for their courses. Our green associate exam training courses are conducted every 2 months in our offices in Dubai Abu Dhabi and Delhi. For further information please email to Mr Vishal Kumar Vishal.kumar @ GE3S.org you can also ring us at 055 445 0167. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Sustainability reporting momentum is catching up

In a fast-changing world, companies should account for their impact on society and the environment where they operate. it is now understood that organisations can sustain their continued growth only if their stakeholders are satisfied with not just their services and product but also with their contribution to the social and environmental well being. The companies often seek services if sustainability reporting consultants to prepare their reports.

The Global megatrends like climate change, plastic pollution, Rapid extinction of species, community development are some of the most pressing issues of today’s world for the Corporates and sustainability reporting consultant help them respond to these challenges. This calls for improved and transparent accounting and disclosure of the performance on these megatrends for the organisations. In today’s world, the corporates cannot afford to have a sustainable business in the long run unless they are acting in environmentally and socially responsible manner, sustainability reporting consultant help them in developing a sustainability strategy.

It has been seen that several governments across several countries have started scrutinizing the operations of the companies that are considered to have a larger impact on society as well as the environment. Sustainability reporting has emerged as a tool to measure and report the performance on environmental and social indicators. Sustainability reporting has become the process of communicating the social and environmental effects of any business to the stakeholder.

Globally the sustainability reporting has gained momentum, hundreds of companies have started publishing their annual sustainability reports with support from sustainability reporting consultant. It is assumed that about 20000 companies are publishing their sustainability reports. Nowadays companies in India and also in the Middle East have caught up to this Momentum and have started issuing sustainability reports. Several sustainability reporting consultants is also present in this region. In the Middle East, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi and Kuwait are the countries where companies have published several sustainability reports. There are several reasons why sustainability reporting has gained momentum, some of which are that the different stakeholders are exerting pressure for sustainability reporting because they want to understand how their organisation is impacting environment and Society. Reporting is also being looked as that is something that increases brand reputation. The role of government and regulation regulator’s cannot be unseen as the regulator’s are now a days are mandating sustainability reporting and asking corporates to publish the reports. This has increased the role sustainability reporting consultants have to play. Many companies are also publishing reports in peer pressure as their competitors are doing the same. The benefits of sustainability reporting are immense, it leads to improving financial performance, it also improves the stakeholder relationships, it identifies the risk that where overlooked, so it improves risk management, it also improves investor relationship and identifies a new market for business opportunities, it even brings into light cost-saving opportunities for the companies. Sustainability reporting consultant has a big role to play in pushing the sustainability reporting across regions.

How to become LEED Green Associate?

The LEED Green Associate professional certificate is the gateway to a sustainable career. This certificate demonstrates that you have complete and up to date understanding of the sustainable building principles and the practices that need to be implemented. USGBC had created the LEED Green Associate professional credential for anyone who needs to understand more about green building and sustainable building design. To obtain LEED Green Associate credential there is no need to have previous LEED Project experience or any work experience. For LEED Green Associate one must prepare itself using the LEED Version for content. All the details of what should be done to obtain LEED Green Associate credential is provided in USGBC candidate handbook. The USGBC also provided several online study materials which are available for purchase.

The LEED Green Associate exam is a computer-based exam. Which means that it can be taken from anywhere in the world through the computer. However, this exam is undertaken in several countries through pro-metric centers. The entire exam happens on the computer on your screen. You can easily select your answers in the multiples choice questions. You can also change them later on if you want. You also have the option to quit the questions. You can also flag the questions later on and review answers. The total no. of points to be earned is 200 however to pass the exam. You need only 170 or higher. Once you have secured these points you have obtained the LEED Green Associate credential. Congratulations! You have passed.

Once you have the pass the LEED Green Associate exam, you need to earn continuous educating hours. For LEED Green Associate you need to earn hours of education every 2 years. This is required to maintain your LEED Green Associate credential. You can also show education hours by involving yourself in any LEED project. Which means by obtaining LEED project experience or by undertaking education courses or authorship or even by volunteering one can earn these education hours. USGBC.ORG credential section online provides you material to start study or LEED Green Associate Exam. GE3S has started its GE3S Academy which provides training for LEED Green Associate exam.  If you are planning to appear for LEED Green Associate Exam. Then we would highly recommend to undertake our training course. Our course is conducted on the weekend so that even the working professional students can benefit from these courses. In our course, we go through the entire syllabus as provided by USGBC and undertake mock test exam. We provide more than 1000 questions to our students so that they can successfully pass the exam. We wish you the best in your green building journey.