DUBAI, UAE, 2 October 2023: Johnson Controls announced that it has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Green Building Council to improve the indoor air quality in the schools in the UAE. Making the announcement through a Press release, JCI said IAQ has never been more important, particularly in critical infrastructure like the places where children learn, and schools in the United Arab Emirates UAE will soon have more options to improve these spaces.

According to JCI, the memorandum outlines a joint commitment to the research and development of IAQ assessment. As part of the project, JCI said it will create a research methodology to improve IAQ, provide monitoring equipment, facilitate technical workshops, and compile findings into one consolidated presentation and report. Furthermore, JCI said EmiratesGBC will work with educational institutes to support the project and jointly with JCI to publish a detailed report on the findings of the assessment. 

JCI said it will utilise its OpenBlue ecosystem of smart Internet of Things and artificial intelligence-driven solutions to measure a range of indoor environmental parameters and provide insights on improving performance. The company further said that the executive summary of the assessment will be announced during COP28. 

Rohan Chopra, Head of Sustainability, Middle East, JCI, said, “At Johnson Controls, we are committed to creating healthy, comfortable, and efficient indoor environments, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we will leverage our expertise and advanced digital technologies to make a lasting impact on the learning experience and environmental performance of the educational sector.”  

Devrim Tekeli, General Manager, Service- GCC, JCI, said: “The partnership signifies a major step forward in addressing the crucial aspect of health and wellbeing within educational institutions. With a leading IAQ portfolio, we are excited to partner with EmiratesGBC and demonstrate the potential of healthy building outcomes.”  

JCI also said the project will build a comprehensive, long-term plan to measure, manage, and continually improve IAQ, following an initial air quality assessment, which includes monitoring parameters such as CO2 emissions, particulate matter, and total volatile organic compounds, among others. The company added that this will enable educational institutions to enhance students’ health and wellness and, consequently, performance in addition to helping reduce absenteeism.

Commenting on the MoU, Dr Ali Al Jassim, Chairman, EmiratesGBC, said: “We are delighted to partner with Johnson Controls on this ground-breaking initiative, as the quality of indoor air has a profound impact on the health, comfort, and productivity of students and staff. Through this, we strive to raise awareness of IAQ and develop sustainable solutions that will positively influence our future generations’ learning outcomes and overall wellbeing. Moreover, the study is a continuation of EmiratesGBC’s efforts to make educational institutions greener.” 

JCI further said its OpenBlue digitalisation and sustainable building solutions, coupled with EmiratesGBC’s expertise in promoting green building practices, will help enhance indoor air quality in educational institutions, paving the way for a generation of students who can thrive in safe and sustainable environments.