Articles

Welcome to Jordan GBC

When you gaze over Jordan’s hills and plains, dotted with structures of stone and cement, don't you wonder sometimes: Who is it that lives and works there? How do their daily activities blend into their natural surroundings? And, how sustainable are their life styles? Now, take a step back and look up onto Amman's skyline: Where did all that smog come from! About 10 years ago, I used to work in Khilda. Next to our government building lived an elderly Jordanian lady in an old village home made of rock and stone. I could feel her integrity and energy from a distance. Sadly, the city had encapsulated her agricultural land. Yet, "Um Shayesh" insisted on taking care of it, her "Eco Friendly" way of living and her disabled son. I wonder what happened to "Um Shayesh", the olive grove & the chickens that roamed her fertile agricultural land.

Time had come for us to collectively work on a greener future for Jordan! Thus, a group of passionate professionals, academics, government officials and business people got together and decided to establish the Jordan Green Building Council (Jordan GBC). Since then the group has continued to grow in number, scope and achievement.

As a membership based & civil society led association, our mission is to promote and advocate for the adoption of green building practices in all the phases of the building process leading towards making the green built environment a widespread reality in Jordan. Our vision, however, is to evolve and expand into a recognized regional leader in developing and implementing innovative green building practices.

Much has been achieved since our first meeting. The world Green Building Council, in recognition of this effort, granted our group the sole authority to establish the Jordan GBC in May 2009. The Council was officially launched in March 2010 and was granted “Emerging Status” in November 2010 making it the second Arab Council to achieve this status. Nothing could have been achieved without the significant contribution of hundreds of green supporters. They have spared no time, money or effort to ensure the continuity of this green movement. I salute them for all what they have done and encourage them to continue their journey through this noble path.

Mohammad T. Asfour
Chairman
Jordan Green Building Council