The UAE was the first country in the Gulf region to launch the SDG Data Hub, in October 2017, and it was the first country in the world to include SDG-related initiatives in its SDG data hub in February 2019, thus, shedding light on the continuous efforts to achieve the SDGS! Alongside the continuous initiatives mentioned in the UAE SDG data hub, such as the UAE Air Quality Index Initiative and the UAE Foreign Aid Initiative, the participation of the UAE in COP27 has showcased ambitious measures to get closer to the UAE Net Zero emissions by 2050. One of the measures deployed is the increased use of clean energy solutions. The country has began its journey into clean energy since more than 15 years, and it continues with an ambitious goal to increase the production capacity of clean energy, solar and nuclear, to reach 14GW by the year 2030 compared to 2.4 GW by the year 2020. The goal is to become the first MENA nation to achieve Net Zero by 2050! Check out the UAE SDG Data Hub by clicking on the read more tab below.

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There is a drive towards continuous innovation in green buildings, especially when it comes to materials used, there is a greater awareness to use ones that are free of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, heavy metals and other harmful chemicals. Moreover, the UAE 2040 masterplan and the Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision showcases the drive towards bolder innovation in the construction industry. In addition, there is definitely a trend towards more sustainable buildings in the MENA region despite the environmental and socio-economic challenges the area is facing such as harsh climatic conditions and water scarcity. The commercial and residential buildings of the region have shown to consume more energy compared to buildings in other parts of the world and that is due to the increased outdoor temperature and abundant glass facades which puts more pressure on the HVAC system to maintain comfortable interior temperatures and conditions. However, the construction companies in the region are pushing towards becoming greener and there are more than 2500 LEED registered buildings in 2020 compared to 623 in 2010! With the increased Green Building construction there has also been an increased number of publications related to the same topic. Please click on the read more feature below to read an article on Status and Prospects of Green Building in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

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Most of us were following up closely on the COP27 events and some of us were part of it. What did the world learn from COP27 and what is the way forward? I think of the most important things said during the event is that of UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “We can and must win this battle for our lives”, the battle against climate change. Despite that, the COP27 extended for another day in hope that agreements are reached on outstanding issues. Moreover, one of the most impactful messages was that of the 10-year-old, Nakeeyat Dramani Sam, from Ghana, who scolded the delegates for their failure to take the climate catastrophe seriously. Quoted from the UN news, the little girl said: “If all of you were young people like me, wouldn’t you have already agreed to do what is needed to save our planet? Should we let the youth take over? Maybe only the youth delegation should be at the next COP”. Indeed, the event has uncovered so many alarming issues and put forward several ambitious solutions to a better future to those still young yet feeling the daunting results of climate change. To read more on the UN news on COP27 please click on the read more feature below.

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