The US Green Building Council award recognises the facility’s year-long performance in energy efficiency, waste diversion, and clean power integration.
DUBAI, Oct. 29, 2026 :Al Jalila Foundation’s headquarters in Dubai has been awarded the prestigious LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, marking a major milestone in the philanthropic healthcare organisation’s push for resource efficiency and lower carbon operations.
The recognition was granted under the council’s Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (EBOM) framework, an internationally benchmarked rating system that audits real-world environmental performance. Rather than evaluating design intent alone, the certification followed an extensive 12-month assessment of the facility’s actual energy output, water management, waste handling protocols, and indoor air health.
Al Jalila Foundation, a member of Dubai Health, integrated several infrastructure upgrades across the property to meet the standard. In 2024, the foundation partnered with regional clean energy provider Positive Zero to deploy solar photovoltaic systems across its primary buildings and parking structures under a comprehensive installation and maintenance agreement.
Mohammed Abdulghaffar Hussain, chairman of Positive Zero, handed over the formal certification plaque to Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, chief executive officer of Al Jalila Foundation, during an official visit attended by executive teams from both entities.
During the 12-month evaluation cycle, the facility closely tracked its utility metrics, recording total water use of approximately 3.16 million gallons. Engineering teams monitored consumption using dedicated sub-meters installed across drinking water networks to spot anomalies and curb unnecessary municipal draw.
Power demand was curtailed through a combination of district cooling integration, centrally managed LED lighting grids, and automated building management systems (BMS) that regulate environmental loads in real time.
Auditors also examined the foundation’s waste management stream. The premises established sorted collection hubs for paper, cardboard, glass, polymers, and metals, alongside designated hazardous waste lockers to safely hold spent industrial batteries and mercury-bearing fluorescent lamps. Facility teams logged overall generation alongside diversion volumes, steering routine waste away from municipal landfills.
Indoor environmental parameters underwent rigorous physical testing alongside staff polling. Inspectors evaluated ambient concentrations of carbon dioxide and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) to confirm ventilation efficacy. Daily facility maintenance shifted entirely to green-certified cleaning agents enforced through standardised compliance checklists.
Dr. Amer Al Zarooni stated that securing the Gold standard mirrors Dubai Health’s broader institutional commitment to environmental stewardship alongside clinical care, research, and medical education. The organisation will continue to deploy scalable operational models that safeguard human health and lower public utility stress, he said.
David Auriau, chief executive officer of Positive Zero, noted that the site’s performance underlines the practical value of integrating on-site solar generation with automated efficiency controls, directly advancing the UAE’s broader decarbonisation targets.
