Measuring Green Building Progress: EmiratesGBC’s Impact
Added on 2023-06-11
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Business DevelopmentMaterials Science and EngineeringPhysicsEnvironmental Science
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MEASURING GREEN BUILDING PROGRESS:
EMIRATESGBC’S IMPACT
Emirates Green Building Council, 2014
EMIRATESGBC’S IMPACT
Emirates Green Building Council, 2014
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
ii
Contents
List of Figures ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................................................v
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1
The UAE’s Environmental Impact ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1
The Living Planet Report (LPR) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Analysis of UAE data from the GFN and LPR .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Background ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Evolution of the country's built environment .................................................................................................................................................... 3
The Demand and Supply Side ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
The Government Steps Up ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Royal 'Green’ Decree .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau (RSB) for Electricity and Water ................................................................................................................. 5
Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 (DIES) ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Ecological Footprint Initiative (EFI) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Estidama.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Green Building Code (GBRS) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
ii
Contents
List of Figures ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................................................v
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1
The UAE’s Environmental Impact ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1
The Living Planet Report (LPR) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Analysis of UAE data from the GFN and LPR .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Background ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Evolution of the country's built environment .................................................................................................................................................... 3
The Demand and Supply Side ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
The Government Steps Up ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Royal 'Green’ Decree .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau (RSB) for Electricity and Water ................................................................................................................. 5
Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 (DIES) ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Ecological Footprint Initiative (EFI) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Estidama.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Green Building Code (GBRS) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
iii
Masdar City ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
EPDA .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Other Initiatives .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Mission and Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Formation History ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
An Organization is Born ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Initial Development ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
The Board ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Technical Committee .................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
ISO Certification ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Partnerships .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Organizational Hierarchy .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Board ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Staff ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Memberships .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Distribution List ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Public Relations ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
EmiratesGBC Initiatives & Programs................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
Cooperative Agreements with Governmental Organizations ...................................................................................................................... 18
iii
Masdar City ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
EPDA .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Other Initiatives .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Mission and Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Formation History ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
An Organization is Born ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Initial Development ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
The Board ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Technical Committee .................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
ISO Certification ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Partnerships .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Organizational Hierarchy .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Board ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Staff ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Memberships .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Distribution List ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Public Relations ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
EmiratesGBC Initiatives & Programs................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
Cooperative Agreements with Governmental Organizations ...................................................................................................................... 18
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
iv
EmiratesGBC Energy Efficiency Program ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
Green Key Program ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
EmiratesGBC Events .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Annual Congress ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Annual Awards .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Networking Events ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Training Programs ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Conferences and Exhibitions......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Seminars, Workshops, and Focus Forums .................................................................................................................................................... 22
Building tours ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Workshops .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Overcoming Challenges .................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Economic Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Strategic Restructuring ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Market Uptake .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
References ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25
iv
EmiratesGBC Energy Efficiency Program ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
Green Key Program ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
EmiratesGBC Events .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Annual Congress ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Annual Awards .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Networking Events ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Training Programs ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Conferences and Exhibitions......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Seminars, Workshops, and Focus Forums .................................................................................................................................................... 22
Building tours ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Workshops .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Overcoming Challenges .................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Economic Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Strategic Restructuring ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Market Uptake .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
References ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
v
List of Figures
Figure 1 A comparison of the ecological footprint of countries based on data obtained in 2003 and 2009. ....................................................... 2
Figure 2. Decision tree which depicts the chain of environmentally sustainable policy reforms developed by the UAE Govt. ........................... 7
Figure 3. The different stakeholders EmiratesGBC serves to connect within the region. ................................................................................... 11
Figure 4. Breakdown of EmiratesGBC corporate members by industry. ............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 5 Growth of EmiratesGBC's Corporate and Individual Members .............................................................................................................. 15
Figure 6 Growth in subscriptions to EmirateGBC's mailing list in relation to announcements/newsletters published by the Council .............. 15
Figure 9 Attendance at other events hosted by EmiratesGBC (Focus Groups, Seminars, and Building Tours). .................................................. 22
Figure 10 Attendance at monthly EmiratesGBC workshops ................................................................................................................................ 23
List of Tables
Table 2. A summary of initiatives taken by the UAE Government, their mission, and their goals. ....................................................................... 9
Table 3. List of EmiratesGBC strategic partnerships established through MOUs and the year they were established. ..................................... 17
Table 4. Total number of attendees at EmiratesGBC hosted training programs. ................................................................................................ 20
v
List of Figures
Figure 1 A comparison of the ecological footprint of countries based on data obtained in 2003 and 2009. ....................................................... 2
Figure 2. Decision tree which depicts the chain of environmentally sustainable policy reforms developed by the UAE Govt. ........................... 7
Figure 3. The different stakeholders EmiratesGBC serves to connect within the region. ................................................................................... 11
Figure 4. Breakdown of EmiratesGBC corporate members by industry. ............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 5 Growth of EmiratesGBC's Corporate and Individual Members .............................................................................................................. 15
Figure 6 Growth in subscriptions to EmirateGBC's mailing list in relation to announcements/newsletters published by the Council .............. 15
Figure 9 Attendance at other events hosted by EmiratesGBC (Focus Groups, Seminars, and Building Tours). .................................................. 22
Figure 10 Attendance at monthly EmiratesGBC workshops ................................................................................................................................ 23
List of Tables
Table 2. A summary of initiatives taken by the UAE Government, their mission, and their goals. ....................................................................... 9
Table 3. List of EmiratesGBC strategic partnerships established through MOUs and the year they were established. ..................................... 17
Table 4. Total number of attendees at EmiratesGBC hosted training programs. ................................................................................................ 20
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
Introduction
1
Introduction
The UAE’s Environmental Impact
n 2006, the Living Planet Report (LPR)1 ranked the United Arab
Emirates as the country with the highest per capita Ecological
Footprint in the world. In its latest report published in 2014, Living
Planet listed the UAE as having the third-highest Ecological
Footprint, per capita.
The United Arab Emirates’ ranking down in the World
Wildlife Federation's (WWF) globally referenced list in a span of
eight years is backed by an interesting story that needs to be
retold. It showcases a remarkable initiative taken by the UAE
government and its administrative sector, and the numerous
forums and institutes that have subsequently launched, including
the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC). These
initiatives have eventually worked to push environmental
conservation to the forefront of the UAE's policy making agenda
resulting in conservation goals now working in tandem with
agendas that pertain to economic growth.
1 For this report we will use the LPR's index as the guiding benchmark as it has
been cited more often in the UAE, and as of 2014, is the only Index which
provides a carbon footprint for the UAE.
From the many institutions and organizations that have
arisen since 2006, EmiratesGBC has secured a credible place
within the sustainable thinking realm, by strategically fulfilling its
mission to serve as an educator, and as a platform of knowledge
exchange for all sectors within the building industry which
influence the country’s ecological footprint. Hence, this report
aims to highlight how a) policy efforts at the federal level and b)
EmiratesGBC’s organizational activities have collectively impacted
the building industry, building market awareness, and inspiring
business decisions which have notably contributed towards the
reduction of UAE’s ecological footprint.
The Living Planet Report (LPR)
LPR's ecological footprint index was originally developed by
the UNEP and is now published bi-annually by the WWF. The index
is a science-based analysis of the health of the planet and the
effect human activity has on this health. The Ecological Footprint
as an index was originally developed by the Global Footprint
Network (GFN)2. It functions as an accounting system which:
"...tracks, on the demand side (footprint), how much land and
water area a human population uses to provide all it takes from
nature. This includes the areas for producing the resource it
consumes, the space for accommodating its buildings and roads,
and the ecosystems for absorbing its waste emissions such as
2 The Global Footprint Network (GFN) is a major think tank which provides
carbon footprint calculations for 150 nations. The organization also aims to
standardize the science of ecological footprint calculations. The GFN provided
the data and the calculations for the LPR index.
I
Introduction
1
Introduction
The UAE’s Environmental Impact
n 2006, the Living Planet Report (LPR)1 ranked the United Arab
Emirates as the country with the highest per capita Ecological
Footprint in the world. In its latest report published in 2014, Living
Planet listed the UAE as having the third-highest Ecological
Footprint, per capita.
The United Arab Emirates’ ranking down in the World
Wildlife Federation's (WWF) globally referenced list in a span of
eight years is backed by an interesting story that needs to be
retold. It showcases a remarkable initiative taken by the UAE
government and its administrative sector, and the numerous
forums and institutes that have subsequently launched, including
the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC). These
initiatives have eventually worked to push environmental
conservation to the forefront of the UAE's policy making agenda
resulting in conservation goals now working in tandem with
agendas that pertain to economic growth.
1 For this report we will use the LPR's index as the guiding benchmark as it has
been cited more often in the UAE, and as of 2014, is the only Index which
provides a carbon footprint for the UAE.
From the many institutions and organizations that have
arisen since 2006, EmiratesGBC has secured a credible place
within the sustainable thinking realm, by strategically fulfilling its
mission to serve as an educator, and as a platform of knowledge
exchange for all sectors within the building industry which
influence the country’s ecological footprint. Hence, this report
aims to highlight how a) policy efforts at the federal level and b)
EmiratesGBC’s organizational activities have collectively impacted
the building industry, building market awareness, and inspiring
business decisions which have notably contributed towards the
reduction of UAE’s ecological footprint.
The Living Planet Report (LPR)
LPR's ecological footprint index was originally developed by
the UNEP and is now published bi-annually by the WWF. The index
is a science-based analysis of the health of the planet and the
effect human activity has on this health. The Ecological Footprint
as an index was originally developed by the Global Footprint
Network (GFN)2. It functions as an accounting system which:
"...tracks, on the demand side (footprint), how much land and
water area a human population uses to provide all it takes from
nature. This includes the areas for producing the resource it
consumes, the space for accommodating its buildings and roads,
and the ecosystems for absorbing its waste emissions such as
2 The Global Footprint Network (GFN) is a major think tank which provides
carbon footprint calculations for 150 nations. The organization also aims to
standardize the science of ecological footprint calculations. The GFN provided
the data and the calculations for the LPR index.
I
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
Background
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2003 (gha) 2009 (gha)
Ecological Footprint 2003 and 2009*
World Average UAE USA Qatar† Kuwait Finland
carbon dioxide. These calculations account for each year’s
prevailing technology, as productivity and technological efficiency
change from year to year. The accounting system also tracks the
supply of nature: it documents how much biologically productive
area is available to provide these services (biocapacity). Therefore,
these accounts are able to compare human demand against
nature’s supply of biocapacity."
Analysis of UAE data from the GFN and LPR
According to the 2006 LPR report, the average UAE
resident had an Ecological Footprint of 11.8 gha, ranking it as the
highest in the world. In 2010, that number was down to 10.68 gha.
In 2012, this footprint had shrunk to 8.4 gha (based on data
collected in 2008). In 2010, the UAE had successfully reduced its
footprint to 7.7 gha, as reflected in the latest 2014 LPR.3 For the
first time since the 2006 ranking, and still currently holding, the
UAE does not have the highest Ecological Footprint in the world.
Thanks to concerted national efforts, it has been superseded. 4
(See Figure 1).
While the Ecological Footprint of a country is a good
indicator of individual demand averaged over a country's
population, it is typically compared against the region's
biocapacity5. In 2008, the UAE's biocapacity was recorded at 0.6
3 LPR summary, 2014
4 LPR, 2006, 2010, 2012
5 LPR summary, 2012
† Qatar was not included in the 2006 LPR report (2003 data) as its population was
less than one million.
gha per person and given that this number did not vary in the
2012 report - this indicates that even though the Ecological
Footprint has reduced, the country’s relatively stationary
biocapacity level shows that the average UAE resident is largely
dependent on other nations for all the resources it imports and
not on its natural resources.
Background
The United Arab Emirates was founded on December 2,
1971. It is a country composed of harsh, arid terrain with very little
natural resources, biodiversity, and population. However, the land
had tremendous wealth deep underground in the form of a non-
renewable energy source known as crude oil, the discovery of
Figure 1 A comparison of the ecological footprint of countries based on data
obtained in 2003 and 2009.
Background
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2003 (gha) 2009 (gha)
Ecological Footprint 2003 and 2009*
World Average UAE USA Qatar† Kuwait Finland
carbon dioxide. These calculations account for each year’s
prevailing technology, as productivity and technological efficiency
change from year to year. The accounting system also tracks the
supply of nature: it documents how much biologically productive
area is available to provide these services (biocapacity). Therefore,
these accounts are able to compare human demand against
nature’s supply of biocapacity."
Analysis of UAE data from the GFN and LPR
According to the 2006 LPR report, the average UAE
resident had an Ecological Footprint of 11.8 gha, ranking it as the
highest in the world. In 2010, that number was down to 10.68 gha.
In 2012, this footprint had shrunk to 8.4 gha (based on data
collected in 2008). In 2010, the UAE had successfully reduced its
footprint to 7.7 gha, as reflected in the latest 2014 LPR.3 For the
first time since the 2006 ranking, and still currently holding, the
UAE does not have the highest Ecological Footprint in the world.
Thanks to concerted national efforts, it has been superseded. 4
(See Figure 1).
While the Ecological Footprint of a country is a good
indicator of individual demand averaged over a country's
population, it is typically compared against the region's
biocapacity5. In 2008, the UAE's biocapacity was recorded at 0.6
3 LPR summary, 2014
4 LPR, 2006, 2010, 2012
5 LPR summary, 2012
† Qatar was not included in the 2006 LPR report (2003 data) as its population was
less than one million.
gha per person and given that this number did not vary in the
2012 report - this indicates that even though the Ecological
Footprint has reduced, the country’s relatively stationary
biocapacity level shows that the average UAE resident is largely
dependent on other nations for all the resources it imports and
not on its natural resources.
Background
The United Arab Emirates was founded on December 2,
1971. It is a country composed of harsh, arid terrain with very little
natural resources, biodiversity, and population. However, the land
had tremendous wealth deep underground in the form of a non-
renewable energy source known as crude oil, the discovery of
Figure 1 A comparison of the ecological footprint of countries based on data
obtained in 2003 and 2009.
Emirates Green Building Council | Measuring Green Building Progress
Background
3
which is credited with having led to the country's formation. Fast
forward twenty years and the UAE had already become a well-
established supplier of crude oil in the burgeoning global market.
Since the 90s, it has continued to effectively capitalize on its
hydrocarbon wealth experiencing remarkable economic growth as
well as improvements in the quality of life for its growing
population.
Evolution of the country's built
environment
The history of UAE's development involves a steady
trajectory of growth and progress in nearly every sector of urban
development. The new market void was rapidly filled up by the
exponential growth in the country’s population leading to further
growth in the industrial and service sectors. It is estimated that
between 1965 and 2013, the UAE's population increased by
6280%, with 85% of its residents residing in urban developments
and situated mainly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.6
The Demand and Supply Side
The demand of a growing population coupled with demand
for a high standard of living also enabled UAE's economy to build a
strong niche in the service and tourism sector which flourished
and led to the construction of several shopping malls, centers, and
entertainment venues, particularly within the Emirates of Dubai
6 Dubaifaqs; World Bank 2014 Doing Business Report; World Bank Urban
population %, 2012.
and Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the population's need for housing
was also tied with the need for schools, hospitals, roads, and
transportation facilities, resulting in a development boom that has
seen steady upward growth for several years. Over time several
Emirates have undergone a thorough transformation: from arid
desert to a "political, economic, and financial success story".
With respect to energy, the hot and humid climate has led
to round-the-clock cooling needs, made possible only by extensive
production of electricity. Average international consumption of
energy is 15kwh per day, whereas in contrast a UAE resident can
use up to 20-30 kwh in a day.7 In addition, the region's dry climate
also meant that desalination plants needed to be installed along
the coast in order to meet the demand for domestic water. This
demand coupled with the addition of a new and growing
aluminum smelting industry meant a further increase in demand
for precious energy. The average individual consumption of water
internationally is 170-300 liters a day; the average UAE resident on
the other hand uses up to 550 liters of potable water per day.8
Coupling this rate of development with minimal resources and
crude oil as the source of energy, it is not surprising that the UAE
developed a large Ecological Footprint while its biocapacity lagged
behind disproportionately.
The synergistic growth outlined above and the ensuing
demand for water and energy has shown that over the years,
while the UAE experienced remarkable financial prosperity, its
environment and local resources were put under immense strain,
7 Kader, 2014
8 Kader, 2014
Background
3
which is credited with having led to the country's formation. Fast
forward twenty years and the UAE had already become a well-
established supplier of crude oil in the burgeoning global market.
Since the 90s, it has continued to effectively capitalize on its
hydrocarbon wealth experiencing remarkable economic growth as
well as improvements in the quality of life for its growing
population.
Evolution of the country's built
environment
The history of UAE's development involves a steady
trajectory of growth and progress in nearly every sector of urban
development. The new market void was rapidly filled up by the
exponential growth in the country’s population leading to further
growth in the industrial and service sectors. It is estimated that
between 1965 and 2013, the UAE's population increased by
6280%, with 85% of its residents residing in urban developments
and situated mainly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.6
The Demand and Supply Side
The demand of a growing population coupled with demand
for a high standard of living also enabled UAE's economy to build a
strong niche in the service and tourism sector which flourished
and led to the construction of several shopping malls, centers, and
entertainment venues, particularly within the Emirates of Dubai
6 Dubaifaqs; World Bank 2014 Doing Business Report; World Bank Urban
population %, 2012.
and Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the population's need for housing
was also tied with the need for schools, hospitals, roads, and
transportation facilities, resulting in a development boom that has
seen steady upward growth for several years. Over time several
Emirates have undergone a thorough transformation: from arid
desert to a "political, economic, and financial success story".
With respect to energy, the hot and humid climate has led
to round-the-clock cooling needs, made possible only by extensive
production of electricity. Average international consumption of
energy is 15kwh per day, whereas in contrast a UAE resident can
use up to 20-30 kwh in a day.7 In addition, the region's dry climate
also meant that desalination plants needed to be installed along
the coast in order to meet the demand for domestic water. This
demand coupled with the addition of a new and growing
aluminum smelting industry meant a further increase in demand
for precious energy. The average individual consumption of water
internationally is 170-300 liters a day; the average UAE resident on
the other hand uses up to 550 liters of potable water per day.8
Coupling this rate of development with minimal resources and
crude oil as the source of energy, it is not surprising that the UAE
developed a large Ecological Footprint while its biocapacity lagged
behind disproportionately.
The synergistic growth outlined above and the ensuing
demand for water and energy has shown that over the years,
while the UAE experienced remarkable financial prosperity, its
environment and local resources were put under immense strain,
7 Kader, 2014
8 Kader, 2014
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