LG Electronics has been awarded the LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institution (GBCI) for the LG building facilities in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, making it the first company in the Middle East to receive such an award for multiple buildings like warehouses and offices.

LG's achievement was also acknowledged with a special appreciation certificate from EHS, the regulatory arm of Trakhees - Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, Government of Dubai.

The LG Building was constructed to be environmentally friendly indoors as well as outdoors. Benefits include 21.5% energy savings, 31.8% potable water savings, and a 91.7% diversion of construction waste from landfills. The LG Building integrates energy conservation measures through its high performance building envelope insulation, and efficient AC units, fans, and motors, PV Solar panels and LED lighting. It also uses building finishes with low VOC paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants.

LG Electronics Gulf FZE incorporated several green features in the LG Building. LG used its own LED lighting system, reducing how much power is consumed daily. Occupancy sensors are installed in all meeting rooms and corridors, and save energy by automating light-switches. LG implemented its flagship product, the Multi-V Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) AC System which was highly commended by the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institution. The high COP figures of 4.3 and Zero ODP refrigerant R-410A made it easy for LG to earn major points in the Energy and Atmosphere category. Their Multi-V VRF enabled improved energy efficiency by allowing occupants to air condition or heat only the zones in use. The building also includes a 30 kW on-grid solar photovoltaic system.

Dharmesh Sawant, Sr. Manager - Commercial AC at LG Electronics, comments, "LG is listed in Estidama as a compliant Villa product and is helping many stakeholders meet the Estidama credits for their projects with the help of Multi-V. We have already supplied around 25000 TR of Multi-V units in the GCC region."

"Beyond producing energy efficient products, LG is looking to play a leading role in reducing its carbon footprint and act as a corporate model. We believe responsible companies must contribute to sustainable growth by minimizing the environmental impact caused by their business activities, and the LEED Gold Certification is an acknowledgement of our efforts," said Mr. H.S. Paik, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE.

The project is a local initiative that fits into LG's global environment plan to become one of the world leaders in reducing the impact of climate change. LG aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 14 tons by the end of 2011, an increase from the 12.9 million tons reduced in 2010.

Dr. Ju Won Kim, General Manager of the AC Academy, said, "LG has a corporate social responsibility of Environmental sustainability. Being a strategic partner of the UN's Champions of the Earth awards since 2009, we have a heartfelt vision of becoming a corporate leader in environmental issues and inspiring the next generation. We want to inspire the green practice locally by implementing the sustainable ideas in our own building."

LG has implemented a green educational program that enhances the educational elements of the LG Building and the LEED process.