EmiratesGBC to launch UAE’s first 'Nearly Zero Energy Buildings' Report

Emirates Green Building Council, EmiratesGBC, an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, will launch the UAE’s first ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’ (nZEBs) Report, followed by a discussion on its key findings on 27th September, 2017, at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

The event is supported by theDubai Chamber and is held in celebration of World Green Building Week 2017, which is being observed this year with the goal of making all buildings net zero by 2050, in a bid to win the fight against climate change.

Accordingly, the event will define the concept of nZEBs and serve as a referral point to support the strategy for developing the buildings in the UAE. The report by EmiratesGBC will further complement the global trends in transitioning towards a low-carbon, low-energy economy and developing nZEBs.

The UAE’s ongoing strategies, initiatives, building codes and rating systems that highlight the role nZEBs can play in achieving the UAE’s green vision are documented in the report. It also highlights the findings of a survey commissioned by EmiratesGBC to examine industry recommendations to achieve nZEBs and highlight the challenges in their development.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said, "Our report on defining nZEBs is a pioneering initiative that supports the UAE’s pledge to combat global warming at COP 21 and the nation’s ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2016. It also complements the sustainable development goals outlined by UAE Vision 2021, Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and Dubai Plan 2021 – all of which are focused on optimising energy use and promoting sustainable-built environments. The adoption of best practices in nZEBs can lead to considerable improvements in the energy performance of buildings by reducing energy demand, improving energy efficiency and enhancing renewable energy generation and utilisation."

As part of the preparations for the report, EmiratesGBC had not only reached out to 25 leading companies to obtain energy data on best practices of low-energy buildings, but also surveyed 100 industry leaders and experts from various sectors to understand the market perception and concerns on the availability of nZEBs in the UAE.

Buildings account for 70 to 80 percent of the nation’s total energy consumption. The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy reports that nearly 25 percent of the existing building stock in the city are energy-inefficient and have a high degree of energy-saving potential.