BAKU: 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.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Al Qassimi emphasized the UAE’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability through various national initiatives and strategic directives aimed at decarbonizing the building sector. The ‘Green Home Loans’ programme was highlighted as a significant effort to enable citizens to engage in the nation’s green transformation by making sustainable housing more accessible.
Sheikh Al Qassimi also outlined the UAE’s comprehensive sustainability guidelines that encompass sectors such as roads, buildings, maintenance and operations, and housing. These guidelines are designed to ensure that every infras
tructure project aligns with national goals for environmental integrity, efficiency, and sustainability. They establish stringent standards for energy and water usage, waste management, and the integration of sustainable materials, ensuring that development projects contribute to sustainable development objectives.
Research collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi has emphasized the urgency of addressing sea level rise risks to UAE’s coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs, and urban infrastructure. The findings guide efforts in coastal and urban planning to enhance resilience against rising sea levels, thereby protecting communities and economies. Innovation in construction and infrastructure development is crucial, and the ‘UAE National Guide for Smart Construction’ plays a key role in standardizing smart construction practices across new projects, ensuring that smart technologies and digital designs lead the construction industry.
The 3D Digital Twin project represents another innovative initiati
ve, mapping urban infrastructure to enable precise planning and significant improvements in cities’ liveability and sustainability. This project showcases the UAE’s dedication to using advanced technology in combating climate change.
At the heart of the UAE’s efforts to decarbonize the building sector is the National Demand Side Management Programme, which aims to optimize energy and water consumption, enhance efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. The Built Environment DSM Programmes target a reduction of 51% in energy and 40% in water by 2050 compared to the Business as Usual scenario. Initiatives under this programme include the development of the National Green Building Regulation, expansion of solar energy use in government buildings, retrofitting government buildings, promoting district cooling, and implementing energy efficiency standards and rating systems for appliances and equipment.
Regionally, the ‘Arab Roadmap for Zero-Emission Buildings,’ developed in collaboration with fellow Arab natio
ns, outlines a path for sustainable urban development, reinforcing regional commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
