Aug. 27, Manama (BNA): The Council of Representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain has received praise from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for its remarkable accomplishment of becoming the first legislative council in the region to receive environmental management certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
IPU commends Council of Representatives for achieving ISO certification in environmental management
The IPU highlighted the Council’s environmental accomplishments as well as the global movement towards green action and the best use of natural resources in a news piece titled “Council of Representatives becomes greener and smarter” that was placed on its website.
The Council of Representatives’ Secretary General, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, stated that the IPU’s praise represents the accomplishment of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s goals. “It also supports Bahrain’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national energy strategies, as well as the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to promote green values, sustainable development, and eco-friendly technologies,” he added.
He clarified that the Council of Representatives Speaker Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam’s constant direction and the work of the Council’s General Secretariat’s specialized team were responsible for this accomplishment.
The Council obtained the certification in July 2025, according to the IPU website, following the implementation of significant projects like lowering dependency on conventional energy sources, increasing green spaces to enhance biodiversity and air quality, and installing solar panels to partially supply the building’s energy needs.
This action supports the UN SDGs and is in line with Bahrain’s strategic objective to become carbon neutral by 2060, serving as a model for other government agencies.
Additionally, the Council implemented more environmentally friendly procurement procedures, favoring vendors who meet environmental requirements for products and services.
The Council significantly decreased paper usage, waste, and operational efficiency by implementing paperless systems and developing e-parliament practices as part of the digital revolution.
Through improved resource management, energy usage analysis, and the provision of sophisticated analytical tools for administration, artificial intelligence helps the Council achieve its green goals.
The Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, which emphasizes environmental preservation and sustainable development as key pillars for national advancement, includes several green initiatives.
The accreditation came after the IPU’s “Parliaments for the Planet” campaign, which was started in March 2023 during the IPU’s 146th Assembly in Manama. The campaign calls on parliaments all around the globe to embrace eco-friendly policies and pass climate legislation.
By increasing innovation in sustainable building design, renewable energy, and environmental awareness, the Council intends to expand on its current policy.
By providing training and advice to other parliaments interested in advancing environmental reform, the Council also hopes to establish itself as a regional knowledge center.
