The IsDB has signed an agreement with the Saudi National Energy Services Company or ‘Tarshid’ to advance the environmentally friendly and sustainable construction practices of the IsDB headquarters.
The agreement will kick-start the retrofit project dedicated to evaluating and implementing coordinated energy-saving measures at the headquarters.
“The collaboration focuses on the Green Building program being piloted by the IsDB, which is closely aligned with Pillar 6 ‘internal activities’ of the Paris Agreement,” a statement from the development bank read.
The project will combine the efforts of the Saudi Energy Efficiency Program (SEEP), local authorities as well as international energy agencies. According to the IsDB, previous such partnerships in the Kingdom have resulted in significant reductions in energy costs.
Through this partnership, the IsDB is hoping to enhance the sustainability features of its existing buildings and facilities with a focus on carbon emission reduction, energy conservation, waste minimization, water consumption reduction as well as the prioritization of safer materials.
The project is also expected to lead to improving the indoor air quality and natural lighting within the IsDB’s facilities, which is expected to result in a healthier and safer work environment for its employees.
Launched in 2008, the SEEP aims to increase energy efficiency by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030 as part of the Saudi Vision 2030. The second phase of the program, which is undertaken by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center in a joint effort with the United Nations Development Programme, is currently ongoing.
Tarshid, established by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2017 with a capital of SAR1.9 billion (US$506.06 million) to undertake the nation’s energy efficiency efforts in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Energy, has offset 3.1 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually in the past seven years, the PIF announced last month.
With no specific timeline disclosed, the collaboration with Tarshid will see the IsDB headquarters seek Leadership in Energy and Environment Design certification, an accepted industry standard certification for green buildings, from the US Green Building Council.