UAE to adopt energyefficient buildings

The UAE is aligned with the global timeline to adopt the concept of “Nearly Zero Energy Buildings,” according to a new report by Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices. Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs) are an essential measure to support the UAE’s pledge of combating global warming and its ratification of the climate accord, the Paris Agreement in 2016 as well as the sustainable development goals outlined by the UAE Vision 2021, Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and Dubai Plan 2021. The concept of nZEBs assumed significance since buildings in the UAE have been found to consume up to 70 to 80 per cent of the total electricity generated. In Dubai, nearly a quarter of the existing building stock has been found to be energy-inefficient.