Dubai to host CO2-neutral meeting on green building

Dubai: Dubai is set to reach another milestone in its ambition to go green by hosting the CO2-neutral conference on green buildings at the American University, officials said.

The second Green Building Conference, a follow-up to the Dubai Green Building seminar held in February, will be the first initiative in the UAE to offset CO2 emissions created by the event itself.

The organisers are planning to lead by example by partnering with "myclimate, protect our planet" project to offset the CO2 emissions of the conference, using professional methods by myclimate that estimate the compensation costs to be around Dh25 per conference participant.

According to the organisers, energy of the building, emissions created by the estimated 250-300 participants at the event, water usage and travel arrangements via car and plane, will leave a distinctive CO2 footprints, which they will ask participants to help compensate for by supporting the conference's CO2-neutral initiative with a contribution.

It is estimated that a roundtrip economy flight from London to Abu Dhabi produces 2.45 tonnes of CO2 emission.

Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a car produces 33kg of CO2 emission, and using a fridge for a year causes emissions of around 100kg, officials said.

Following the conference, which is jointly organised by the American University and Sesam Business Consultants, Sesan will launch an online portal offering support and contacts for UAE companies and individuals to go CO2-neutral.