Dubai South's Festival Plaza earns LEED Gold certification
The achievement strengthens the mall's reputation as an eco-friendly shopping destination and positions it as a sustainability leader within the retail sector.
Since it first opened its doors in 2019, Festival Plaza has been dedicated to supporting national sustainability goals. The certification highlights the mall's commitment to maximising energy efficiency, improving air quality, conserving resources, boosting resilience, safeguarding the health of its visitors and tenants, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility, and advancing positive impact on the community.
During the LEED evaluation process, Festival Plaza earned 65 points, positioning it among the top-performing sustainable retail destinations in the region. By adopting green building practices, the mall has achieved a 17.9% reduction in energy intensity, 14.6% savings in water usage, and an 85% waste diversion rate. Additionally, its carbon footprint has been reduced by 1,250 metric tons CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per year, contributing to significant environmental benefits.
In addition, Festival Plaza has one of the healthiest and most accessible shopping environments in the UAE. The mall boasts high indoor air quality with CO₂ levels at 600 parts per million (ppm) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) at 110 micrograms per square metre. Meanwhile, easy access by public transport, with a Transportation Score of 92/100, significantly reduces emissions from commuting. Occupants were generally 'Very Satisfied' with the destination, while shoppers' appreciation of its steadfast focus on elevating the visitor experience, comfort, and well-being was reflected in the Human Experience Score of 85/100.
'At Festival Plaza, we firmly believe that green initiatives drive both profitability and planet-friendly results. We are immensely proud of the LEED Gold certification that strengthens the mall's brand image by officially testifying to its alignment with global sustainability standards. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our teams that have been instrumental in earning this accolade, which will go a long way in attracting eco-conscious consumers, tenants, and investors while driving long-term loyalty. This success motivates us to pursue a journey of continuous improvement and leverage the latest innovations to minimise our environmental impact,' said Felizardo Orticio, Senior Operations Manager at Al-Futtaim Real Estate.
LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world, provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED-certified buildings are critical to addressing climate change, meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. – TradeArabia News Service
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Hajj package prices to soar 20% as new tent rules drive up costs
TDT | Manama Bahraini pilgrims who hoped for more affordable Hajj packages are instead confronting a steep price shock, as campaigns confirmed that 2026 packages will cost up to 20 percent more. The increase comes after last year's unexpected losses, with organisers citing higher operational expenses, particularly new requirements for tents in Arafat and Mina. Rising costs The reversal from earlier savings hopes to rising costs is striking. Campaign operators, who declined to be named, said expenses linked to new service standards had forced them to increase prices by BD200 to BD250. The adjustment translates into a 15 to 20 percent rise across most packages. A source added that the hikes are seen as necessary to prevent a repeat of last year's financial setbacks. Regulatory spotlight The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments has already received 67 applications from Bahraini campaigns seeking approval to operate next season. A meeting between the operators and the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs is expected in the coming weeks to review preparations. Dr. Ali Ameen Al-Rayyes, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry and Deputy Head of Bahrain's Hajj Mission, confirmed that new regulations will soon take effect. The rules will prevent campaigns from advertising packages or prices until they receive official approval. Transparency push Campaigns may still hold promotional exhibitions, but only if their content exactly matches the ministry-approved profile published online. Al-Rayyes stressed that the changes aim to build trust by ensuring pilgrims receive accurate and reliable information. The regulations will also prohibit free Hajj offers or competitions that promise packages, closing the door on misleading promotions. For pilgrims, the season ahead will bring clearer safeguards and stricter oversight, but it will also place a heavier burden on families already budgeting carefully for the spiritual journey of a lifetime.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Fifth Minor Criminal Court Acquits Asian Employee of Embezzlement Charges
TDT | Manama The Fifth Minor Criminal Court has acquitted a woman in her forties, an Asian employee, of charges of embezzling funds from a company managing a chain of restaurants. The defendant was represented by lawyer Reem Al-Mahari, who argued that the case was maliciously filed by the company, which accused the employee of misappropriating company funds. Al-Mahari explained that her client worked in an administrative role, which included receiving checks to cover routine expenses such as workers' and employees' payments, transfers to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, social insurance contributions, and petty cash. She submitted evidence showing that the funds in question had indeed been transferred to the relevant authorities. She also presented a labor court judgment indicating an unresolved dispute in which the company had withheld the employee's labor rights. The Public Prosecution had charged the defendant with embezzling BD 1,420 between 2023 and 2024, in Muharraq Governorate, alleging she misappropriated cash belonging to the company that was under her custody by virtue of her job. The accusation was based on an accounting report submitted by the complainant, in addition to his statements. However, the court ruled that the evidence presented was insufficient to prove the charges. It noted that the case documents lacked reliable proof linking the defendant to the alleged crime, and that the accounting report did not conclusively establish embezzlement. The expert's findings only confirmed that the defendant had issued seven checks totaling BD 1,420, without proving any wrongdoing. The court further observed that the existence of labor disputes between the defendant and the complainant company added weight to the possibility of malicious intent behind the case. Based on Article 255 of the Criminal Procedure Law No. 46 of 2002, the court concluded that the charges were unsubstantiated and ruled to acquit the defendant.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahraini Hajj Campaigns Plan 20% Price Hike for 2026 Season
Several Bahraini Hajj campaigns have confirmed to Al-Ayam their intention to increase the prices of their packages for the upcoming 1447H (2026) season by up to 20%. The move comes after many campaigns faced financial losses last year due to rising operational costs and unexpected expenses shortly before the season began. Campaign organizers, who requested to remain anonymous, explained that most of the new costs are linked to services in the Arafat and Mina areas. In particular, new requirements for pilgrims' tents have led to higher preparation costs. The expected price increase for packages is between 200 and 250 Bahraini dinars, roughly 15–20%, with most campaigns choosing this approach to avoid future losses. Sources also revealed that a meeting between Hajj campaigns and the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs is expected within the next two weeks to discuss arrangements for the new season. According to the Supreme Committee, 67 applications have been received from Bahraini Hajj campaigns wishing to operate during the next season, following the closure of submissions on August 1. Dr. Ali Amin Al-Rais, Director of the Religious Affairs Department at the Ministry and Assistant Deputy Head of Bahrain's Hajj Mission, explained that the ministry will soon issue guidelines for announcing campaign packages, services, and prices to ensure accurate and effective evaluations. Al-Rais emphasized that campaigns will only be allowed to advertise their packages and prices after receiving official approval and having their profiles certified. Individual promotional exhibitions for each campaign are permitted, provided they align with the approved profile published on the official website. The new guidelines will also include additional rules to enhance transparency, including prohibiting free Hajj offers or competitions promising Hajj trips. Al-Rais stressed that the goal is to improve credibility and provide clear information to pilgrims before signing contracts.
