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Summertown Interiors undertakes LEED EBOM certification to help drive carbon neutrality goals

 
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11 Nov 2015

Summertown Interiors undertakes LEED EBOM certification to help drive carbon neutrality goals

Summertown Interiors, the UAE’s leading fit out contractor is the first company in its sector to apply for LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM), the certification for the ongoing operations and maintenance of existing commercial and institutional buildings.

The LEED EBOM certification system identifies and rewards current best practices and provides a framework for buildings to use less energy, water and natural resources; improve the indoor environment; and uncover operating inefficiencies.

As a LEED Gold certified fit out contactor specialised in delivering green interiors, Summertown embraces sustainability in every aspect of its business. By adopting an integrated approach to corporate social responsibility, the company is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. LEED EBOM is the framework that the company is using in support of this mission, to determine if its premises and operations are functioning in the most sustainable way.

LEED EBOM requires the implementation of policies in relation to building operations, maintenance, sustainable purchasing materials, equipment and consumables, and extensive monitoring and tracking of purchasing and operations for the building. The rating systems are broken down into four levels based on points achieved through set targets (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum). In addition to the improvement of the building, the certification also recognises the value of human capital and considers the value of employee wellbeing as critical success factors to achieving excellence in sustainability.

The LEED EBOM process has encouraged Summertown to implement a number of modification works to its existing LEED Gold certified headquarters. This has included the installation of water sub meters to allow for more detailed monitoring of water consumption by zone; installation of energy monitoring units to allow for real-time collection of energy consumption data, renovation works to its outdoor space and MEP works including installation of additional carbon dioxide sensors to measure indoor air quality as well as modifications to the AC system.

“We are excited to be taking the next step on our sustainable journey and have already noticed a measurable difference in our consumption goals since embarking on this challenge. We will continue to pioneer the ‘green’ movement here in the UAE and believe that the LEED EBOM certification process will be a vital tool to further progress our bid in achieving carbon neutrality by 2020,” said Marcos Bish, Managing Director, Summertown Interiors.



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