King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), the region's only fully integrated energy hub, received the 2021 US Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership Award for the Middle East in recognition of SPARK's exemplary leadership and contribution towards creating sustainable, healthier, equitable and resilient buildings, cities and communities. Serving as a gateway upon which the world's energy sector can build an integrated future, SPARK has adopted advanced construction solutions that are environmentally friendly and maximize long-term efficiency. President and CEO Saif Al Qahtani commented, "At SPARK, we are committed to ensuring sustainable solutions are continuously implemented as we grow to become the leading energy-centric ecosystem in the world. "We have achieved many firsts in our initial stages of development and will continue to adopt and support innovative initiatives that help improve the quality of life for our people, while also strengthening our business and the Kingdom's economy. "We are very proud of our team and the work they have done to guarantee SPARK provides long-term value and supports national and regional programs aimed at building a more sustainable future." In the Kingdom and in the region, SPARK is the first entity to pioneer the use of multiple cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of the development. Recognized as the first industrial city in the world to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, SPARK continually demonstrates its commitment to environmentally responsible building and construction practices. Developed by the US Green Building Council and recognized as the most highly-regarded green building rating system, LEED provides a framework for construction and building solutions that aim to reduce environmental impact, limit resource use, reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. "It is truly inspiring to recognize our leaders that have continued their commitment to green building and sustainable communities while adapting to the changing environments around us," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC. "The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award awardees have improved our world through the power of green building, and it is their contributions and work that have helped our communities stay safe and healthy." SPARK joins a lineup of award recipients that have been recognized as exceptional examples of sustainability leadership among a strong and growing network of projects, companies and individuals. The 2021 USGBC Leadership Award recipients represent some of the best of USGBC's 10,000 member organizations, a network of committed professionals with more than 106,000 LEED commercial projects in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. In addition to the USGBC 2021 Leadership Award, SPARK was also awarded four ISO certificates by world testing, inspection and certification leader Bureau Veritas for integrated management systems certification programs and asset management systems that lower costs, maximize return on investment and optimize growth throughout asset life cycles. In addition to SPARK's innovative construction solutions, SPARK maintains its culture of continual improvement, bolstering initiatives that lead to enhanced efficiency, increased sustainability and reduced environmental impact. — SG
