This year’s World Environment Day theme is #OnlyOneEarth, highlighting the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature by making transformative changes towards cleaner, greener lifestyles.

Our industry continues to face major challenges in dealing with the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. So, on this World Environment Day, we're sharing best practices to address these challenges, conserve our environment, and rebuild it better and greener.

Here are three ways we can help make a difference in our industry.

1- Clean and Efficient Energy

According to the Sustainable Development Goals, we must provide energy equity and connectivity for all people while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a focus on clean, renewable energy and persistent efforts to increase energy efficiency. By doing so, we will also reduce the health impact of air pollution and provide many other social advantages.

An example of an equitable clean energy project is our Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Lebanon, which will contribute to the national goal of generating 30% of total energy from renewable sources by 2030. With its storage capacity of 7.5 hours, it will help cover the country’s electricity shortfall. The new CSP will act as a change catalyst, increasing the overall share of renewable energy production and resulting in lower fossil fuel importation costs and carbon emissions.

2- Clean Transport

The transportation industry accounts for over a quarter of all energy-related CO2 emissions. Every vehicle on the road emits half a kilo of CO2 each mile traveled. Taking public transit instead of driving alone cuts CO2 emissions by 45%, lowering pollutants in the atmosphere and improving air quality.

Light rail transit, for instance, is considered an environmentally sustainable mobility option based on its benefits in minimizing air pollution, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Aligned with the 2030 national agenda and the UN sustainable development goals, our Cairo Light Rail Transit project in Egypt will support the transition toward a more sustainable transportation system, reducing pollution and improving quality of life.

3- Green Buildings

Sustainable building design must be a priority to fight greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As per the U.S. Green Building Council, high-performance green buildings, particularly LEED-certified buildings, help reduce the climatic effects of buildings and their occupants. Buildings built to LEED standards generate 50% fewer GHGs than traditionally designed buildings due to water use, 48% fewer GHGs due to solid waste, and 5% less GHGs due to transportation.

Our LEED Gold-certified City Center Al Zahia project showcases sustainable green building best practices. As the project's design and supervision consultant, we were able to achieve high-performing sustainable site development, innovative water and energy savings, responsible material procurement, and enhanced indoor environmental quality.