Bahrain’s Westin and Le Méridien are among the Al Futtaim Hotels awarded the world’s first portfolio-wide LEED Platinum certification.

In an announcement at the 2021 Middle East and Africa Green Building Congress, Majid Al Futtaim’s 13-property hotel portfolio made history with the award of Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for all its hotel businesses. This marks the latest step towards the lifestyle conglomerate’s goal of becoming a Net Positive business by 2040 with ongoing sustainability efforts and a mission to become one of the most environmentally considerate companies in the world.

LEED is widely respected as the pre-eminent green building rating system; with the award certification being viewed globally as a marker of sustainability excellence. The LEED rating system appraises the design, structure, and overall operations of a building, assessing how these factors work together to promote efficiency, improve performance, and optimise sustainability practices.

Evaluated projects are awarded points across a range of categories, with all accrued points being tallied to determine the LEED rating level of reviewed buildings. Projects are awarded one of four certifications: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

Majid Al Futtaim hotels are designed and managed to positively contribute to the protection of the environment and wellbeing of their surrounding communities. In keeping with the conglomerate’s company-wide sustainable development strategy, the properties promote indoor air quality, green cleaning policies, the reduction of pollution and waste, the elimination of single-use plastics, and the development of innovative green practices.

This is very much in-step with regional authorities’ plans to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations 2030 agenda.

Khalifa Bin Braik, managing director Majid Al Futtaim Hotels, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: “We aim to set the standard for sustainability and sustainable business growth in the region — in terms of our assets, our people and our communities. The (Green Building Certification Inc) GBCI’s award of the LEED Platinum certification is proof positive of our impact on the industry and region. Not only does it vindicate our work so far, but it also lays the groundwork for even more innovative thinking, planning and delivery; inspiring leadingedge approaches to hospitality that will help us and our guests create a cleaner, safer and healthier world.” ✤

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