The green blueprint: How the GCC’s construction industry is shaping a low-carbon future

In the rapidly evolving metropolitan centres of the GCC, the construction industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Governments across the region are setting ambitious environmental targets, and the industry is responding with groundbreaking innovations in materials, technology, and regulatory frameworks.

For the GCC, achieving net-zero buildings is a growing priority that is key to reducing energy demand and ensuring long-term sustainability. With air conditioning accounting for a significant portion of energy use, the region is uniquely motivated to lead in passive cooling and renewable energy integration. A key challenge is demonstrating that sustainability and premium development can coexist an approach that is increasingly gaining traction.

As an example, concrete, responsible for a significant amount of global CO² emissions, has long been the backbone of GCC construction. However, innovative alternatives like Low Carbon Alternative Cement are gaining traction, particularly in the standardisation processes of various SDOs.

This type of cement not only reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption associated with cement production, but also opens the door for enhancing the curing process through concrete admixtures.

The GCC is emerging as a leader in 3D printing technology, with the UAE already home to several additively manufactured buildings. The UAE’s 3D-printed office in Dubai, the first of its kind, showcases how this technology can reduce waste while enabling the region’s signature intricate designs.

A decisive shift is now underway, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. These national commitments are more than aspirational, they are actionable blueprints for a sustainable future.

In 2021, the UAE launched its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, making it the first nation in the Middle East to set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Similarly, Saudi Arabia announced its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 during the first Saudi Green Initiative Forum in 2021. These initiatives are transforming economies and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

Technological progress must be matched by a skilled workforce capable of implementing high-performance construction practices. Training and credentialing programmes, such as those offered by the International Code Council (ICC), have the potential to help professionals gain the necessary credentials.

These programmes also equip them with the tools needed to effectively conduct their work on-site and apply codes, standards, and building safety regulations when designing structures and benchmarking to global practices. As market demand shifts toward sustainable and innovative ways of construction, the workforce readiness will be key to driving long term progress in the operation and maintenance of buildings.

The shift from high-profile sustainable projects to industry-wide adoption of higher baseline standards will define the next phase of progress in the GCC. The challenge lies in ensuring that future growth is both economically robust and environmentally sustainable, which creates buildings that are not only visually iconic but also built to last in a low-carbon world. Leveraging the International Code Council (ICC) codes, standards and regulatory support tailored to the region’s specific challenges has helped governments and stakeholders create necessary linkages between ambitious sustainability commitments and practical implementation.

Translating ambitions into action and investing in the workforce will allow the region to lead the world in creating a built environment as resilient as it is iconic.