As global attention turns to the Middle East during the UN climate summit COP28, Majid Al Futtaim – the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer in the Middle East – has received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for its flagship shopping mall in Bahrain – City Centre Bahrain.
This recognition signifies the highest level of achievement in sustainable building practices within the LEED green building rating system, a globally recognized standard, reflecting Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing commitment in the Bahrain market and beyond.
The LEED Platinum Certification for City Centre Bahrain (with a total score of 84 points), located in Manama’s Seef District, has been awarded for Operations and Maintenance for Existing Buildings (LEED O+M: Existing Buildings) category. This achievement brings the count of LEED-certified Majid Al Futtaim malls in the region to 20. The recent LEED Platinum Certifications also follows Mall of the Emirates’ recognition in Dubai earlier this year, positioning it as the largest operational mall globally to receive this prestigious certification.
Majid Al Futtaim’s sustainability initiatives contributing to the LEED Platinum status encompass various practices such as water efficiency measures, including the installation of high-efficiency toilet fixtures across all malls, reducing water consumption significantly. Furthermore, the malls’ strategic accessibility to public transportation enhances their location and transportation credit, reflecting the Group’s dedication to sustainable mobility.
Implemented industry practices also include efficient waste management strategies, such as waste reduction and segregation, resulting in a positive impact on waste performance credit. Additionally, the integration of efficient lighting systems and ongoing HVAC optimization significantly earns the malls higher points in the Energy and Atmosphere category. These sustainable enhancements not only ensure long-term viability but also enhance the well-being and overall satisfaction of customers.
Commenting on the LEED Platinum Certifications, Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim – Asset Management, said: “As Bahrain focuses on sustainable growth, Majid Al Futtaim is dedicated to leading the charge toward a more sustainable future. This latest achievement is a testament to our years of hard work and dedication and also a result of our increased focus on sustainability, resulting in Majid Al Futtaim now having 20 LEED certified malls.
“Our commitment to sustainability is deeply ingrained in our operations, and these LEED Platinum Certifications reaffirm our dedication to providing environmentally responsible shopping experiences for our mall patrons.”
Setting a sustainable future
The latest milestone is a reflection of Majid Al Futtaim’s continued efforts towards becoming a global sustainability leader and aligns with its broader sustainability commitment of becoming Net Positive in carbon and water by 2040.
Earlier this year, Majid Al Futtaim also announced its second Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL), structured as a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility (RCF) linked to the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) related targets.
The focus on sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim malls in Bahrain aligns with the group’s recent achievements in global ESG best practices, with Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates winning the 2023 MENA Green Building Awards for implementing a Green Operations and Maintenance plan, resulting in reduced waste generation and improved energy efficiency.
