The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord) and the American Concrete Institute (ACI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing climate mitigation and sustainability within the concrete industry.
The MoU was formalized by Founding Chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr, and President of ACI, Michael J Paul. The ACI is a US-based non-profit technical body that develops and disseminates consensus-based knowledge on concrete and its applications.
The MoU outlines several key areas of collaboration between the two organizations, centering on capacity building, training, and the promotion of sustainable innovations within the concrete sector. The collaboration also aims to create frameworks that support change through standardized certifications and sustainability assessments, such as Gord's International Green Mark (IGM), an ecolabeling system which ensures that construction materials meet rigorous environmental standards, enhancing transparency and accountability in the concrete industry.
The collaboration will also include joint research to create solutions that enable sustainable cities and communities, as well as the development of technical and educational materials. Addressing the audience, Dr Alhorr said, "The challenge of decarbonizing concrete production while meeting the growing demands of our region's development requires this kind of comprehensive, multi-level approach. Through this MoU, we are taking important steps toward reducing the environmental footprint of concrete production and promoting sustainable practices that align with global climate goals.
By combining Gord's expertise with ACI's technical and educational resources, we aim to drive innovation and create a lasting impact on the construction sector."
For his part, Paul said, "The need for sustainable practices in the concrete industry is more urgent than ever. As the demand for concrete grows through urbanization and development, we must ensure that sustainability becomes a fundamental part of its production and use. Working with Gord, ACI addresses this challenge head-on. ACI is pleased to be able to draw upon Gord's expertise in environmental standards, carbon markets, and sustainable practices to help the industry reduce its environmental impact and to create a more resilient and sustainable built environment for future generations." The MoU includes plans to promote technical and educational documents issued by ACI, launch awards to recognize excellence in the concrete industry, and support conferences and events aimed at fostering the transformation of the construction sector toward sustainability.
Additionally, Gord will support the institute's local branch by providing resources and guidance to contribute to the development of sustainable practices in regional concrete communities.
