Doha, April 21 (QNA) - QNB Group has announced that its Head Office building has achieved the Gold Level certification under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).

Coinciding with Earth Day, this achievement reflects the Group's continued commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, in line with sustainable development priorities of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The certification was awarded by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) under GSAS Operations, recognising the Head Office's sustainable day-to-day operations. 

Senior Executive Vice President of General Services Yousef Ali Al Darwish commented: "The Gold GSAS certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to integrating sustainability into every facet of our operations, as well as our ongoing responsibility to our community, our employees, and our nation".

"Since our establishment in 1964, QNB has evolved alongside Qatar's development, and today we continue to build on that legacy by embedding sustainability at the core of our operations," he said.

He added: "On this Earth Day, we are proud to continue to be a leader for sustainable operations in the financial sector, directly aligning with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030."

Founding Chairman of GORD Dr. Yousef Alhorr said: "By opting for GSAS Operations, QNB Group has shown a clear understanding that the long-term operational carbon footprint of a building far exceeds the embodied carbon of its initial construction. This milestone reflects the organization's forward-looking leadership that recognises the importance of reducing emissions through continuous performance, efficiency, and accountability."

GSAS is a comprehensive system developed specifically for the climatic and cultural context of the MENA region, making it the ideal standard for assessing the environmental impact of buildings in the Gulf region.

Achieving Gold certification underscores QNB's strong operational performance across key areas, including energy and water, efficiency, enhanced indoor environmental quality and effective waste management practices.

GSAS Gold-certified buildings can achieve reductions in energy and water consumption of between 20% and 30% compared to conventional buildings, contributing to lower operational costs and improved resource efficiency. GSAS Operations certification moves beyond design, validating the effectiveness of daily operational practices managed by QNB's Facilities Management team.

Building on this achievement, QNB Group has also attained a 4-Star GSAS Design & Build certification for its Lusail headquarters development and is advancing GSAS Design for Fit-Out certification.

This reflects a holistic approach to sustainability, extending environmental performance beyond core infrastructure into interior spaces, with a focus on energy efficiency, responsible material selection, indoor environmental quality, and the comfort and wellbeing of employees and visitors.

These certifications collectively form a key component of QNB Group's broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. By embedding sustainability across its operations and developments, QNB continues to support efficient resource management and contribute to the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)