The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) and Naufar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing sustainability, energy efficiency, water management, and carbon reduction.
The MoU was signed during the third edition of the Sustainable Buildings and RetrofitTech Summit Qatar, by Gord's Founding Chairman Dr Yousef Mohammed Alhorr, and Naufar's Chief Operation Officer (COO) Saleh Ali al-Mohannadi.
Speaking about the collaboration, Dr Yousef Alhorr said: "Through our collaboration with Naufar, we will implement forward-looking green solutions to reduce Naufar's environmental footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and create healthier spaces for occupants. But more importantly, we will drive substantial progress in carbon reduction, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable built environment in Qatar and beyond."
Saleh al-Mohannadi stated: "This partnership with Gord is a strategic step toward enhancing the sustainability of our operations. By integrating environmentally conscious solutions, we aim to improve the efficiency of our facilities and reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. We are confident that Gord's support will set a benchmark for sustainability in similar projects.
As part of this agreement, Gord will assist Naufar in navigating the certification process to secure green building certifications, striving for the highest ratings possible. This support extends to enhancing accountability for the services delivered by Naufar's contractors and technical service providers, ensuring that all aspects of project execution meet stringent sustainability standards.
Naufar will incorporate Gord's services for Measurement and Verification (M&V) of retrofit projects establishing benchmarks for energy and water consumption in existing buildings under its management. The two organisations will collaboratively define strategies for auditing these buildings, focusing on energy and water efficiency.
Gord's role will facilitate Naufar in managing ESCO companies and their retrofit projects, aligning with Naufar's specific requirements, including M&V of energy performance contracts executed by these companies. Additionally, Gord will support the development of a customised Green IT strategy for Naufar, aimed at reducing electronic waste, optimising data centre operations, and minimising the carbon footprint of IT infrastructure, ultimately aiding in the attainment of Green IT certifications.
The collaboration will also encompass comprehensive sustainability consulting services from Gord, covering strategy development, implementation and ongoing support.
Apart from the MoU, Gord made significant contribution at the Sustainable Buildings and RetrofitTech Summit Qatar, which focused on critical topics such as green construction materials, energy efficiency, and sustainable design, attracting senior officials and professionals from various sectors including energy, construction and sustainability.
In his keynote address opening the summit, Dr Yousef Alhorr emphasised Gord's commitment to advancing sustainable building practices in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, calling for collaboration to catalyse green initiatives.
During the two-day event, senior representatives and experts from Gord delivered insightful presentations on critical topics such as the decarbonisation of the building sector and outlining innovative approaches and tools for effective implementation. They also presented on promoting air quality and environmental health, emphasising strategies for creating resilient and sustainable buildings.
Members of Gord actively participated in an engaging panel discussion on implementing the latest technology to transition to a clean energy future, by applying the principles of circular economy. Another panel discussion joined by Gord focused on lighting solutions that promote a circular economy. As part of the exhibition organised at the event, Gord showcased its low-carbon solutions, including Synergia7n1s ultra-efficient hybrid cooling system, web-based simulation tools of Energia and Arcadia Suites, and testing solutions for indoor air quality.
