(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Doha: Lulu Hypermarket in Qatar has become one of the first retailers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve sustainable operations certification under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD).
Upon completing necessary audits by sustainability experts from GSAS Trust and GORD Labs, the project achieved an overall score of 1.51, which corresponds to a ‘GOLD’ rating under the GSAS Operations certification.
Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Group International, received the GSAS certificate and plaque during the awarding ceremony held at Lulu Hypermarket’s Al Messila branch.
Acknowledging LuLu Group’s initiative to implement GSAS Operations as a tool to cut down its carbon footprint, Dr. Yousef Mohamed Al Horr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said, ''Data emerging from latest surveys consistently point towards changing consumer sentiments and behaviors. Customers today are far more informed to choose sustainability.”
At the same time, he said, retailers too have the power to influence sustainable practices among their customers.
''By achieving GSAS Operations certificate with ‘GOLD’ Rating, Lulu International has demonstrated its conscious efforts towards operational excellence, which is incomplete without environmental sustainability. We congratulate the organization and hope that its initiative inspires others in the retail sector,” added Dr. Al Horr.
Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Group International, said, ''I am very pleased to receive the GSAS-OP Certification with ‘GOLD’ rating from GORD. This is an important milestone in our efforts to make our business more sustainable and circular. Lulu group has been making serious efforts to minimize our impact on the environment, reduce our carbon footprint by half by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
''We will focus on cutting carbon emissions, plastic packaging, food waste, and water use. At the same time, we are looking into increasing sustainable practices such as recycling. We are also exploring to invest in modern innovations like reverse vending machines and vertical farming.
''Our cooperation with GORD began in 2019. Over the last two years, we have built a solid collaborative partnership with GORD. The most valuable benefit we have gained from cooperation with GORD is utilizing their know-how and long experience. We appreciate the support given by GORD’s Founding Chairman, Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Horr, and his dedicated, committed professional team,” added Dr. Althaf.
GSAS is the MENA region’s first green building certification system that assesses and guides projects on reducing their environmental footprint during design, construction, and operations stages. In this context, the GSAS Operations program addresses the impacts of building operations in the post-occupancy phase.
It is premised on the notion that building operations and maintenance practices directly impact the natural environment and the economy and human health. Therefore, GSAS Operations aims to reduce the environmental impact of the existing buildings while also improving its occupants’ health and well-being.
LuLu Hypermarket building at Al Messila features two stories and a basement providing a total floor area of 14,650 square meters to accommodate the hypermarket to become the ultimate one-stop shop for daily essentials and unique product offerings for multi-ethnic clients in and around the Al Messila neighborhood.
During the audits by sustainability experts at GORD, all these facilities were thoroughly analysed in terms of operations and maintenance before being given the appropriate rating for GSAS Operations certification, which is valid for four years from the date of issuance. All these audits were conducted during operational hours without interrupting the day-to-day business at the hypermarket.
LuLu Hypermarket has identified environmental management as one of its highest corporate priorities to reduce the risk to the environment and the organization. To achieve a ‘GOLD’ certification rating, several site audits and desk reviews were conducted to assess current operational and maintenance practices at Lulu Hypermarket’s Al Messila branch.
As per GSAS Operations Premium Scheme, the project was evaluated against six categories: energy performance, indoor environment, waste management, facility management, water performance, and environmental policy and awareness. Processes undertaken to calculate these parameters included thermal imaging analysis of the building envelope, energy and water labelling, indoor environmental quality analysis, and techno-commercial analysis of the energy management opportunities.
Upon successful implementation of the recommended EMOs, the building can significantly lessen its impact on the environment and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Based on US EPA’s emission factors, it is estimated that the suggested EMOs will help avoid 2,164 tonnes of CO2 and 1,051 tonnes of coal emissions and result in 377 fewer cars on the road, 537 acres of trees planted, and energy savings equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 406 households.
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