Al Bidda Tower – home of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar Football Association and the Qatar Stars League – has become the first office tower in the country to receive the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations certificate.

Representatives from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), which administers GSAS in Qatar, awarded the 41-floor building a platinum operations rating – the second highest level – after assessing its energy saving features, including LED lights, double glazing with low emissivity glass and a façade which reflects sunlight.

GORD also measured Al Bidda Tower's indoor air quality and reviewed its recycling procedures, facilities management, water usage and waste management programmes. The office tower achieved high scores in the energy, water, indoor environment, waste management and facilities management categories.

Mohammed Al Marzouqi, the SC's Vice Chairman Finance & Administration, received the certification from Dr Yousef Al Horr, Founding Chairman of GORD.

Al Marzouqi said: "This remarkable milestone is testament to the hard work and commitment shown by the SC towards sustainable operations. This is a collective effort and illustrates the dedication of every SC employee and building occupant."

Eng Bodour Al Meer, the SC's Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager, said the certification highlights the fact that sustainability lies at the heart of Qatar's FIFA World Cup™ preparations.

"We are very proud that Al Bidda Tower has become the first office tower in Qatar to be certified under GSAS," said Al Meer.

"Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do – whether it's administering our place of work or constructing facilities for the FIFA World Cup.

"We are determined that Qatar's hosting of the World Cup will act as a catalyst in many areas, not least sustainability, so it's important we set the right example at our offices."

Al Meer continued: "I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to ensuring Al Bidda Tower is a standard bearer for sustainability in Qatar, in particular the SC's Administration Department and Business Support division, which is responsible for facilities management at Al Bidda Tower, and of course our numerous stakeholders, other building occupants and the building owner."

GSAS is the first performance-based system in the Middle East and North Africa region developed for rating green buildings and infrastructure. The primary objective of GSAS, which is endorsed by FIFA, is to create a sustainable built environment that minimises ecological impacts and reduces the consumption of resources while addressing the local needs and environmental conditions specific to the region.

GSAS certifications include design and build, construction management and operations. Every Qatar 2022 stadium is on track to achieve the full suite of GSAS certificates.