ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The extensive desert landscape associated with the Middle East is becoming greener – one building at a time. Policy reforms by local governments in the Middle East, combined with customer demand and return on investment, are helping minimize the environmental impact of facilities and buildings, driving demand for sustainable facilities. To add insight to this growing movement, Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, hosted its third Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series in the Middle East this year. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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Featuring Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the event provided insights and trends for students, faculty and staff at the Higher Colleges of Technology and a number of building professionals in the region. Under Fedrizzi's leadership more than 129 countries and 100,000 residential and commercial buildings and communities are participating in USGBC's market-leading Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) green building program, including the United Arab Emirates with more than 750 LEED registered projects. Fedrizzi welcomed the opportunity to join Carrier and the Higher Colleges of Technology to share the global perspective on energy efficiency, sustainability and green buildings, and the importance green building councils have in driving sustainable building development with local green building designers, owners and students.

"Education provides perhaps the best catalyst to advance sustainability and the cause of green buildings in the world," saidPaul Fraipont, General Manager, Carrier Middle East Region. "Events such as the Distinguished Lecture Series help extend Carrier's commitment to the environment by providing sustainability education worldwide."

Launched in April, Carrier's Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series is a collaborative initiative with the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates designed to deliver lectures throughout the year that feature international experts in the field of green building and sustainability.

"Carrier has been a leader in the green building movement from its earliest origins. Combining its roots in sustainability and commitment to education, Carrier created the Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series to advance knowledge, to learn from each other and to create dialogue for a greener future," said John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer, UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems.

The Higher Colleges of Technology collaboration with Carrier brings renowned sustainability experts to the United Arab Emirates to discuss current and relevant principles and practices.

"Our partnership with Carrier will help accelerate sustainability awareness, broaden our sustainable development curriculum and bring increased awareness of sustainable development principles to the region," said Dr. Tayeb Kamali, vice chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology. "The Distinguished Lecture Series complements our mandate of offering career-oriented academic and training programs."

For more information about Carrier and its global sustainability initiatives, visit [ www.carrier.com/green ].

About Carrier

Carrier is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit [ www.carrier.com ] for more information.

About the Higher Colleges of Technology

Founded in 1988 with four colleges, the Higher Colleges of Technology has grown to be the largest of the higher educational institutions in the U.A.E., gaining a well-respected reputation for innovative learning. More than 20,000 students attend 17 modern men's and women's campuses throughout the UAE. HCT offers more than 90 different, English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Engineering Technology, Computer & Information Sciences, Health Sciences, General Education and Education. Visit [ www.hct.ac.ae ] for more information.

SOURCE Carrier

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Carrier's Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series Helps Green Buildings Grow in the Middle East

Carrier's Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series Helps Green Buildings Grow in the Middle East