Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure highlights UAE’s sustainable building measures at COP29

At the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sheikh Naser Al Qassimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Infrastructure and Transport Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), participated in a High-Level Roundtable on Green Construction and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Climate Resilience in Cities.

He said, “The UAE, in its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, has actively pursued several national initiatives and strategic directives to decarbonise the building sector. Our 'Green Home Loans' programme exemplifies our approach, enabling citizens to partake directly in our nation's green transformation by making sustainable housing more accessible."

Sheikh Al Qassimi noted that to enhance its commitment to sustainability, the UAE has developed comprehensive sustainability guidelines that span across various sectors including roads, buildings, maintenance and operations, and housing.

These guidelines are crafted to ensure that every infrastructure project aligns with the national goals for environmental integrity, efficiency, and sustainability.

They set forth stringent standards for energy and water usage, waste management, and the integration of sustainable materials, ensuring that development projects not only support but actively contribute to our sustainable development objectives.

He added, “Recent studies on the impact of sea level rise on UAE’s coastal area, such as the collaborative research with NYU Abu Dhabi, have underscored the urgency of our mission. These studies project significant risks not just to our ecological treasure – the mangroves and coral reefs – but also to our urban infrastructure. This research directs our efforts in coastal and urban planning to ensure resilience against the inevitable rise in sea levels, thereby safeguarding our communities and economies against future vulnerabilities. Innovation in construction and infrastructure development is pivotal, and this is where the 'UAE National Guide for Smart Construction' comes into play. This comprehensive guide is designed to standardise smart construction practices across all new projects thus ensuring that smart technologies and digital designs lead the way in our construction industry.

“Further enhancing our national landscape is the 3D Digital Twin project—an innovative platform that maps out our urban infrastructure, enabling precise planning and substantial enhancements in our cities' liveability and sustainability. This project exemplifies our dedication to employing cutting-edge technology in our fight against climate change.”

He added, “At the forefront of our drive to decarbonise the building sector is our National Demand Side Management Programme that aims to optimise energy and water consumption, enhance efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. Built Environment DSM Programmes target reduction of 51% in energy and 40% in water by 2050 compared to BaU scenario. As part of the programme, we developed the National Green Building Regulation, expanded solar energy use in government buildings, started a retrofitting of government buildings programme, promoted district cooling, and implemented energy efficiency standards and rating system for appliances and equipment.”

Sheikh Al Qassimi noted that on the regional front, the ‘Arab Roadmap for Zero-Emission Buildings’ – developed in cooperation with fellow Arab nations -- charts a course for sustainable urban development, underscoring the regional commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.