The United Arab Emirates launched a list of green building codes to help conserve energy and water on 25 March during Expo 2020 Dubai’s Water Week.
Water Week, which is the Expo’s final theme week, will explore how to better preserve and protect a finite, precious, and endangered natural resource that sustains all life on Earth.
From 20-26 March, the thematic week will feature a series of purposeful and action-orientated events to explore water in all its facets, held in collaboration between Expo 2020 Dubai; the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure; and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
His Excellency Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, introduced the list of conditions and specifications that government buildings and organizations are encouraged to uphold to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The codes were prepared by the ministry in cooperation with several federal and local authorities and are in line with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the Water Security Strategy 2036.
The codes provide a list of standards, conditions and requirements that ensure a more sustainable environment for future generations, reduce energy and water consumption, reduce the carbon footprint of construction and building sites, and improve the quality of buildings and the environment around them.
Speaking at the Terra Auditorium at Terra the Sustainability Pavilion, HE Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui said “The initiative aims to unify local and federal efforts and goals related to energy and water efficiency standards at the state level, and contribute to the creation of high-efficiency buildings, as well as work on updating current construction manuals and urging the development of new guidelines and regulations that align with the objectives of the UAE for the next fifty years, its aspiration to become a global leader, and achieving sustainable economic development.”
“On this occasion, I am pleased to confirm that we at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure renew our commitment to unifying efforts to reduce the consumption of energy and water, preserve natural resources and the environment, and promote the transition towards a green economy that supports sustainable development in the UAE,” the minister added.
In 2010, the UAE Cabinet approved the Green Building and Sustainable Building standards to be applied across the country. Application of these standards started in government buildings in early 2011. The project is expected to save AED 10 billion by 2030 and reduce around 30 percent of carbon emissions.
