Al Janoub Stadium awarded for sustainable operations

Doha: The iconic Al Janoub Stadium was awarded a gold standard Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification for operational performance by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) – making it the first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium to be awarded all three GSAS certifications.

Previously, the stadium received certifications for sustainable design and green construction practices.

To commemorate the achievement, representatives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), FIFA, GORD and Mosanada Facilities Management Services were invited to take part in an award ceremony.

Speaking during the ceremony, Eng Ghanim Al Kuwari, SC Deputy Director General Technical Services, said: “While we are reaching new sustainability benchmarks for stadium design and construction, we are also developing the skills, abilities, processes and resources in the facility management and building operations sector in Qatar to ensure our venues are as sustainable as can be. We have held detailed training sessions throughout the certification process to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome for the building and for our team working there who operate the venue on an ongoing basis.”

Eng Bodour Al Meer, SC Sustainability Director, said: “This certification is evidence of our efforts to deliver on the commitments of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Sustainability Strategy. We are proud to be the first FIFA World Cup host country that is conducting these detailed assessments of our stadiums’ operations.”

The operations certification scheme serves as a follow up to assessments made during the design and construction stages. It assesses actual energy and water consumption in the stadium, waste management practices, indoor air quality, satisfaction of building users, as well as facility management practices in place.

Dr Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman at GORD, said: “Al Janoub Stadium is the first-ever project to achieve all three certifications with such high ratings – a four-star certification for design and build, an A* certification for construction management, and now a gold one for operations.  The project has gone through due diligence all the way from preparation and design through to the construction and post-occupancy phase. This would not have been possible without the keen interest and commitment of the SC and FIFA. By integrating sustainability with sports, they have created awareness at the grassroots level and GORD is proud to be part of this iconic project. Together, we are aiming to build a community that will champion sustainable practices in building operations and facility management.”

Federico Addiechi, FIFA’s Head of Sustainability & Environment, said: “Obtaining a green building certification for the operations of the stadiums was a voluntary move by Qatar, which we embraced from the very beginning. We believe that this is not only a great standard to be applied across all Qatar 2022 stadiums, but also for other stadiums in future FIFA World Cups.”

The SC has already certified its headquarters, Al Bidda Tower, with GSAS Operations certifications, and is in the process of conducting the same assessment for most FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums.

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