EmiratesGBC and DSCE collaborate to undertake ‘Benchmarking’ of 100 buildings in Dubai to promote energy efficiency

MARCH 14, 2017| press release

  • Benchmarking Project by EmiratesGBC marks the first Building Efficiency Accelerator pilot project in the UAE
  • Invites Dubai-based hotels, shopping malls and schools to take part in the Benchmarking Project
  • Initiative in line with Dubai’s commitment to the Building Efficiency Accelerator, under the United Nation’s ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ programme
  • Energy performance of identified buildings to be undertaken by EmiratesGBC through data collection and analyses

Dubai, UAE; March 14, 2017: Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), has invited Dubai-based hotels, shopping malls and schools to take part in a ‘Benchmarking Project’ to assess their building efficiency.

The roll out of the Benchmarking Project follows a partnership announced between EmiratesGBC and DSCE in 2016 to support the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA), an initiative under the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ (SE4All), an initiative led by the United Nations Secretary-General, and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Led by World Resources Institute and in partnership with the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), Green Building Councils are engaging with leading cities to ramp up the energy efficiency of buildings under the BEA. EmiratesGBC is one of four GBCs working with governmental authorities such as Dubai Supreme Council of Energy – a member of BEA – which has strong expertise in the realm of energy intensity and demand side management.

EmiratesGBC is now piloting a ‘Benchmarking Project’ that aims to measure the energy performance of 100 buildings in Dubai in the three focus groups – hotels, malls and schools. DSCE is reaching out to its partners to extend its support to the ‘Benchmarking Project’ and mark the first BEA demonstration project in Dubai, which will serve as a referral point in driving forward the energy efficiency of buildings in the city, and double the rate of efficiency by 2030.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “The Benchmarking Project is a major step towards mapping the energy use efficiency of existing buildings in Dubai. The findings will not only help in undertaking relevant retrofitting measures but will also support policy making in relation to sustainable buildings.

“For the project, we are drawing on our learnings and experience of conducting the first similar benchmarking study in 2016 on energy efficiency in Dubai’s hospitality sector. Our expert team of professionals will evaluate the data to present insightful findings that enable all stakeholders to work towards a greener future by enhancing energy efficiency in our buildings.”

HE Ahmed Butti Mehairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, said: “As a member of the BEA programme, we are taking tangible action to promote energy efficiency in our urban built environments and contribute to achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“The Benchmarking Project that will be undertaken by EmiratesGBC is pioneering in the region, and will provide deep insights on the energy efficiency practices in our buildings. The findings can be leveraged to promote sustainable built environments, promote energy management and suggest recommendations for the building industry to introduce initiatives that can help conserve energy.”

A consultation workshop on BEA was held in December 2016 attended by various stakeholders across Dubai’s building stakeholders. The feedback received is serving as the referral point for the benchmarking project and a policy on energy performance labeling of existing buildings by DSCE.

To participate in the pilot Benchmarking Project, owners and operators of Dubai hotels, malls and schools are encouraged to contact the EmiratesGBC office at 04-3468244 or email to BEA@emiratesgbc.org. All data provided for the project will be treated with confidentiality.

Energy used in buildings often accounts for half of all carbon emissions of some cities, while buildings in some larger cities can be responsible for up to 80 per cent of emissions. With two-thirds of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, the benchmarking study complements further demand for buildings that are energy efficient and that enable a high quality of life.

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