Yousef Alhorr

Yousef Mohamed Alhorr
Born
(1967-01-10) January 10, 1967
EducationB.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from Qatar University (1989), M.Sc Materials Engineering from the George Washington University (1996), PhD Materials Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology
OccupationEngineering
Known forEnvironmental Efforts
Notable workGlobal Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Synergia 9n1 hybrid ultra-efficient patented, smart cooling technology

Yousef M. Alhorr  (Arabic: يوسف محمد الحُر, born January 10, 1967) is a Qatari scientist, innovator and environmentalist known for his work in the field of sustainability and climate actions. He is the founder and chairman of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD),[1][2] established in 2009 at Qatar Science & Technology Park, where he led the development of the Gulf region's fastest growing green building rating system – the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), under which more than 2,500 projects have been certified.[3][4][5] Launched in 2009, GSAS has since been used in Qatar and the Middle East as one of the chief sustainability systems alongside alongside other internationally recognized systems.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Alhorr has led the development of the first Gulf Sustainable Construction Code for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries which is published under the umbrella of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).[12]

Alhorr’s earlier work involved leading the drafting of the first version of Green Construction (Section 7) of Qatar Construction Specifications.[13] Launched in 2010, the original draft replaced by its 2014 edition now serves as the  national guide setting the required building sustainability norms for the industry.[14] Establishing a benchmark for environmentally responsible products, he led the development of the International Green Mark (IGM) scheme and authored its manual.[15]

His influence as a key figure in sustainability policy enforcement has extended across multiple domains, shaping urban planning for new cities such as Lusail City[16] and Qatar Economic Zones in establishing sustainability benchmarks for public buildings sector and large-scale infrastructure projects such as railways, stadiums and airport, etc; and developing host country sustainability strategies for mega events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022[17] and the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha.

Alhorr is the founding chairman of Global Carbon Council. In the Global South, GCC is the first international program fully accredited by ICAO’s CORSIA to supply carbon credits to international airlines to meet their carbon neutral growth.[18][19] GCC is also accredited by ICROA. GCC has received approximately 1600 projects from 50 countries seeking accreditation for their mitigation activities by issuing high-quality, high-integrity carbon credits. Alhorr is also the founding chairman of the Global Accreditation Bureau – an accreditation body which is a Full Member of Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), and an Accreditation Body Member of International Accreditation Forum (IAF). He is the president of Green Building Committee at the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).[20][21]

On the technological front, Alhorr led the research and development of innovative energy-efficient solutions, including Synergia9n1 – a hybrid ultra-efficient patented, smart cooling technology for fresh air, that earned him the award for AEE’s Energy Innovator of the Year 2022.[22] Synergia9n1 also earned him the Best Patent in Energy Efficiency from the League of Arab States[23] as well as the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) award and Gold Medal  at the 15th International Invention Fair of the Middle East held in Kuwait.[24] He is also the recipient of Takreem Award for Environmental Development and Sustainability Leadership presented during the 13th edition of the Arab Excellence Awards Ceremony 2023 as well as the Emirates Energy Award by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.[25][26] For the MENA region, Alhorr has pioneered the sustainable manufacturing landscape by introducing an advanced additive manufacturing facility serving diverse industries by housing nine different 3D printing technologies under one roof. The center provides functional metal and non-metal parts, offers reverse engineering services, and also advances knowledge in this emerging field through research and publications in peer-reviewed journals.[27]

Academic background

Alhorr received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Qatar University’s College of Engineering in 1989,  followed by Master of Science in Materials Engineering from the George Washington University, United States, in 1996. In 2000, he earned a doctorate degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK.

Professional background

From 2000 to 2004, Alhorr was the assistant professor at Qatar University’s College of Engineering. In September 2004 until 2006, he joined the institute’s active research wing, taking up the position of Assistant Vice President for Research. From then onward up until 2011, he held several positions at Qatar’s leading Barwa Real Estate Company as a deputy CEO, strategic adviser and president for strategy and investment, and CEO and chairman of Barwa Knowledge.[28][29][30] In 2009, Alhorr set the foundation of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), which has grown from a local research-focused organization into a multi-discipline entity through its diversified portfolio of activities. GORD’s low-carbon solutions, offered by its affiliates and centres of excellence, have positioned the organization on the regional and global arena of sustainability and climate action.[31]

Alhorr was the recipient of the Emerging CEO – Green Buildings prize from the Federation of GCC Chambers[32][33] as well as the Environment & Sustainability Award.[34] Alhorr is a member of the board of trustees for the University of Doha for Science and Technology (2017-2022) and advisory board member of the College of Engineering at Qatar University[35] His name comes in the list of the Qatar University’s most notable alumni.[36] He has worked as a sustainability adviser for a variety of projects across the MENA region. This advisory work included providing strategic guidance and implementation roadmaps on sustainable development, notably for all stadiums built to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.[37] He served as an adviser for sustainable delivery and legacy of the tournament and orchestrated the sustainability strategy and implementation for the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar.[38]

Speaking Engagements

Alhorr has lectured several seminars during and after his time as a faculty member and director of research at his alma meter, Qatar University.[39] He has chaired several conferences[40] and has been regularly invited as a keynote and guest speaker at regional and global industry events including the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs), including COP18 in Doha,[41][42] COP26 in Glasgow,[43] COP27 in Egypt,[44] COP28 in Dubai,[45] COP29 in Azerbaijan, COP30 in Brazil, the AEE World Conference held in Atlanta, United States (2023), Hong Kong Connect (2024),[46] Cairo Sustainable Energy Week (2024),[47] UNEP’s Regional Dialogue to Accelerate Readiness for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement held in State of Kuwait (2025),[48] and the 41st Meeting of the Arab Negotiating Group on Climate Change held in Cairo, Egypt (2025).[49]

References

  1. ^ Fahy, Michael (9 Apr 2013). "Qatar makes progress implementing green standards". Construction Week Online.
  2. ^ "Green for go: The private sector looks on with interest as the government focuses on sustainability". Oxford Business Group. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  3. ^ "BDQRI launches first version of QSAS for Cities and Urban Planning in the Middle East". AlBawaba. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Qatar has highest number of GSAS-certified green buildings" (PDF). Peninsula Qatar. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  5. ^ Zafar, Salman (13 December 2018). "Green Buildings Rating System in Middle East". Blogging Hub. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  6. ^ "ASHGHAL to adopt QSAS sustainable development practices in Public Building Projects". Albawaba News. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  7. ^ "GORD, Jordan Engineers Association sign MoU to apply QSAS concepts to Jordan's green building practices". Business Intelligence Middle East. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  8. ^ "GSAS to be adopted in Kuwait following a strategic partnership between GORD and NTEC". E-MC2. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  9. ^ O'Keefe, Faisal (22 June 2012). "Qatar's GSAS Turns Other Rating Systems Green". Green Prophet. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Qatar code for green building goes global". Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment Council. 18 June 2012.
  11. ^ "KPTC signs MoU with GORD for development". Arab Times Online. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  12. ^ Projects, Zawya (5 February 2025). "Qatar-based GORD develops GCC's first Sustainable Construction Code". Zawya. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  13. ^ Gerbich, Carlin (5 December 2011). "CW Conference: Qatar to launch new building codes". Arabian Industry. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  14. ^ Gerbich, Carlin (5 Dec 2011). "CW Conference: Qatar to launch new building codes". Construction Week Online. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Introducing International Green Mark (IGM)". e-mc2. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  16. ^ "Lusail City commences the application of The Qatar Sustainability Assessment System". Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD). 1 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Qatar aims for 80% of 2022 World Cup projects to be sustainable". IFP Info. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  18. ^ "ICAO Document: CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units" (PDF). International Civil Aviation Organization. March 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  19. ^ "Global Carbon Council receives approval under ICAO's CORSIA to help international airlines meet carbon neutral growth targets". Yahoo Finance. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  20. ^ "GSO Technical Subcommittee for Green Buildings". GCC Standardization Organization. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  21. ^ Varghese, Joseph (22 March 2017). "Gulf body to develop regulations for green products". Gulf Times. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  22. ^ "Congratulations to AEE's 2022 International Award Winners!". Association of Energy Engineers. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  23. ^ "GORD wins award for 'Best Patent in Energy Efficiency' from LAS". Peninsula. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Qatar Scientific Club Secures 5 Medals at 15th International Invention Fair in Kuwait". Qatar News Agency. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Laureates". Takreem Foundation. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  26. ^ "EEA 2025 Winners". Emirates Energy Awards (EEA). October 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Gord unveils cutting-edge additive manufacturing centre at Dimdex". Gulf Times. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Barwa and Qatari Diar develops the first performance-based sustainability rating system in the Middle East". AME Info. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ^ "QSAS - Certified Green Professional 3days training workshop ends". AME Info. 16 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-10-18. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Qatar: Fuelling growth". Construction Week Online. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Jordan's green building MoU". ME Construction News. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  32. ^ "Federation of GCC Chambers Honors Dr. Yousef Al-Horr the "Emerging CEO – Green Buildings" Prize at 1st Middle East Business Leaders Summit and Awards". Business Wire. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  33. ^ "Dr. Yousef Al Horr". Green Building Forum. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  34. ^ "QPM hails legacy of 'HSE for Life' conference in Doha". 4 December 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Joint oversight board". College of North Atlantic Qatar. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  36. ^ Azher, Mohammad. "The 'Nation-builders' Qatar University has given to Qatar". Qatar Day. Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  37. ^ "Lusail Stadium earns five-star sustainability rating". FIFA. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  38. ^ "Expo 2023 Doha Qatar welcomes GORD as a sustainability partner". The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). June 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  39. ^ "DAUP Profile" (PDF). Qatar University. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  40. ^ "Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue". DICID. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  41. ^ "UN Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change). December 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  42. ^ "COP18: Yousef Al Horr, Founding Chairman, Gulf Organisation for Research and Development". ClimateChangeStudio (YouTube). 29 November 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  43. ^ "Qatar-based Global Carbon Council highlights climate solutions at COP26". Gulf Times. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  44. ^ "GORD, Doha Bank commence climate partnership at COP27". Qatar Tribune. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  45. ^ "At COP28, GORD and UNFCCC extend strategic collaboration to enable ecofriendly events". Zawya. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  46. ^ "Global Business Leaders Converge at the First Anniversary Forum of Hong Kong Ambassadors Club – A Key Event During Belt and Road Summit Week". Hong Kong Ambassadors Club. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  47. ^ "GORD Showcases Its Solutions in Field of Energy Conservation, Combating Climate Change at Cairo Sustainable Energy Week". Qatar News Agency (QNA). 3 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  48. ^ "Advancing Article 6 governments' readiness and role of GCC National Registry solution highlighted at regional dialogue in Kuwait". Global Carbon Council. 19 October 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  49. ^ "Global Carbon Council Showcases Projects at Arab Climate Talks in Cairo". Qatar News Agency (QNA). 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
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