Al Gurg Leigh’s Paints has become the first paint manufacturer in the UAE to become a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The USGBC has the internationally recognized LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.

“Leed is one of the most respected green building schemes in the world. With so many building contractors in the UAE now conscious about environmental issues, our customers can be confident that they are helping to reduce the impact on the environment,” said Sunil Gudur, chief manager, Al Gurg Leigh’s Paints.

The majority of the products from Al Gurg Leigh’s Paints is now water-based, and contains no lead, mercury or toxic content. About 75 per cent of the company’s Dulux range already complies with standards set for 2010, he noted.

Following a directive earlier this year by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister and Dubai ruler, that all new buildings must meet green standards, many developers are looking for new ways to work with the environment at the forefront of the design process.

Abu Dhabi is also showing strong commitment to green principles, by developing the world’s first carbon zero city.

USGBC spokeswoman Ashley Katz, pointed ouit that said the UAE was one of the fastest growing countries in its development of environmentally-friendly solutions, and the use of the Leed Rating System would make the country a leader in green building and sustainability.

'Since the directive came into force in January there had been a rapid increase in momentum for green building in the UAE. Although only three projects in the UAE have been certified under Leed so far, nearly one hundred more are registered and awaiting to be approved,' she remarked.

“Many designers and contractors are already coming to us for our products now that we have Leed membership as they look for environmentally-friendly solutions. There is a real passion for making the UAE a leading green country now,” Gudur added.-TradeArabia News Service