UAE | Environment

How green is your building?

From surveys outlining 40 per cent less energy costs to 15 per cent less absenteeism in green buildings - occupants could benefit highly, however myths surrounding sustainable buildings still need to be overcome.

  • By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 01:03 November 30, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News
  • Dilip Rahulan, Chairman of Pacific Controls, shows Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, the first platinum-rated green building in the Middle East near Jebel Ali.

Dubai: From surveys outlining 40 per cent less energy costs to 15 per cent less absenteeism in green buildings - occupants could benefit highly, however myths surrounding sustainable buildings still need to be overcome.

In the US it has been estimated that building-related illnesses cost $60 billion (Dh220 billion) annually in medical expenses and lost worker productivity.

The United States Green Buildings Council report that improving air quality, lighting and comfort through green building design will improve the leasing potential of the building.

Green building and environmental site design features are often perceived to be more expensive than traditional development practices when, in fact, they are often economic from an initial cost or a longer-term life cycle perspective.

Case studies show better labour productivity up by 6 to 16 per cent in buildings with good overall environmental quality, including effective ventilation, natural or proper levels of lighting, indoor air quality, and good acoustics.

Guidelines

In the UAE, the recently launched Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development will equip companies with the necessary tools to make their premises energy efficient.

In line with directives given by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai for all new buildings to be certified as environment- friendly from next year, the centre will release guidelines to provide help towards certification.

Once the regulations are in place it could reduce the UAE's carbon footprint by 50 per cent and reduce national water consumption, it was revealed at the time by Ahmad Abdul Hussain, Chief Executive of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) regulatory arm of Dubai World.

System ‘needs to be modified for region'

Many schemes and point systems exist to certify a building for its energy efficiency and low impact on the environment, said Dr Sadek Owainati, co-founder of the Emirates Green Buildings Council.

However, the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is becoming internationally acceptable out of all the options.

“The US LEED system is excellent but needs to be modified for the region. With it, new constructions can earn a total of 69 points but there are different point systems for different buildings. It is very specific,'' said Owainati.

“To say something is green depends on how green you want to be. Some projects exceed the maximum platinum rating. The rating system is voluntary. Buildings will have to do the minimum but how far they go is up to them,'' he said.

“There will be prerequisites to achieve a certified level. The government cannot impose the highest level for all buildings,'' he said.

Some prerequisites for buildings include the utilisation of the site to make sure no land is wasted.

The layout has to be efficient and natural light should be maximised.

There should also be indicators for occupants to find ways to conserve water and the envelope of a building, for example insulation, should be highly efficient.

Load on environment

Causes of climate crisis: Points to consider

  • Everyday, the world uses some 320 billion Kilowatt-hour of energy, an equivalent of 22 bulbs burning nonstop for every person on the planet
  • Energy consumption from fossil fuels has already generated carbon dioxide in 2002 of 2.6 billion tonnes per year and it is expected to increase in 2030 to 4.2 billion tonnes per year
  • Ministry of Economy and Commerce statistics from 2005 show that Dubai's power consumption in 2004 alone was 16,363 Gigawatts-hour of which 70 per cent was utilised in commercial and residential buildings, Gulf News reported at the time.
  • Considering the intensive volume of cooling load in the Gulf and particularly in the UAE due to air-conditioning to keep buildings cool, Indoor Air Quality become a vital issue to ensure that healthy environments are kept at highest levels.
  • Use dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies. Using recycled-content products helps develop markets for recycled materials that are being diverted from landfills. These strategies reduce the amount of building materials needed and cut construction costs.
  • The average office spends 70 times as much money per square foot annually on employee salaries as on energy, so that an increase in labour productivity of just 1 per cent can produce savings that exceed the entire energy bill.

Definition

A ‘Green Building' aims to not harm the environment by incorporating practices that result in environmental protection, energy efficiency, water conservation, usage of renewable energy and recycled products.

Recent studies reveal that buildings with good overall environmental quality can reduce the rate of respiratory disease, allergy, asthma and enhance worker performance.

More from UAE Environment

  1. Recycled gravel to be used for paving roads

  2. Green ambassadors blaze the nature trail

  3. Huge rush at ID centres as deadline looms

  4. Bright prospects for solar power

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