The 6th Build It Green - Lebanon Annual Sustainability Solutions Conference that is organized by e-EcoSolutions and in partnership with EcoConsulting on the third week of every March took place this year under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday March 18, 2015 at the Monroe Hotel in Beirut.



This conference being the leading Green Building event in Lebanon, and the only sustainability solutions conference that was sustainable for 6 consecutive years in the MENA region, was held this time under the theme of "Revealing Eco-Districts", and received a special welcome note by the President of the US Green Building Council.




"Why Eco-districts? And why now?" explained Mr. Gilbert Tegho, CEO of e-EcoSolutions, "In a country like Lebanon seeking improved sustainability solutions and regulations despite the different economic, political, and social obstacles, Eco-districts are just the right scale to address: small enough to innovate quickly, and large enough to have a meaningful impact." Mr. Tegho acknowledged the support of the Municipality of Beirut that has year over year become more involved in Green initiatives, and that is this year the Official Municipality Partner of the Build It Green - Lebanon.


The conference has as always presented a fascinating program, addressing several wisely selected topics that received the interest of over 700 attendees, including many municipalities. 


The high spot of the program was the announcement of the First Health Care in Lebanon and in the world to receive the EDGE certification, a new Green Buildings Rating System that matches more the Lebanese market reality. The EDGE Rating System was presented by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group, and was followed by the case study presentation of Keserwan Medical Center, who was able to achieve this certification with the support of e-EcoSolutions.



The second Eco-quartier University student's competition in sustainable design was also launched with the support of the Municipality of Beirut during the conference. This year's competition subject was announced to be the Medawar area, a problematic area that is of a great wealth to Beirut city. 



Representatives from different universities in Lebanon attended this launch, with the aim of incorporating the Eco-quartier competition as a main studio for their senior level students. PRESS RELEASE | Beirut, LebanonAnother big launch took place during the conference to reveal the Green Schools Certification Program, a program brought to Lebanon by e-EcoSolutions (being the leader of the Global Coalition For Green Schools - Lebanon Chapter), and with the support of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and the Ministry of Environment in Lebanon. 


The main objective of this program is to "put every student in Lebanon in a Green School within this generation". The Green Schools Certification Program is offered free of charge to the first 100 private and public eligible schools in Lebanon, and the registration takes place online on: www.GreenSchools.me.



These were not the only hot topics addressed at the conference. In addition to the impressive presentations given by the different international and local speakers on the topics of Eco-districts, resilient cities, urban efficiency, and criteria for Green Buildings in Lebanon and more, The 6th Build It Green - Lebanon launched the 202030 plan, the 2020 National Plan to reduce Municipal Domestic Waste to 30%". This was done through a very special panel incorporating main players towards advancing the plan.



"When applying Eco-districts to Lebanon, the first problem faced is the municipal waste and landfills management." said again Mr. Gilbert Tegho, CEO of e-EcoSolutions, "For that reason and since the Build It Green - Lebanon's objective is finding solutions for sustainability in Lebanon, we have decided to launch an initiative to solve this problem through joining representatives from the different governmental, private, and industrial sectors in a debate towards creating a 202030 waste reduction national plan."The conference also welcomed two special Regional Meetings that were held alongside by SHAAMS with international expert speakers.



The Build It Green - Lebanon team concluded the conference by thanking the main conference sponsors and supporters: Waterfront City (Title sponsor), the Municipality of Beirut (Official municipality partner), Schneider Electric, Tinol Paints and Acemco & Solstice (Gold sponsors), Douaihy Pour Le Bois and Waste (Silver sponsors), MEA, in addition to all supporting organizations and media partners.