According to the 2019 Global Status Report, the buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use and 39% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2018, 11% of which resulted from manufacturing building materials and products such as steel, cement and glass. This places the significance of buildings as one of the vital sectors that can help limit global carbon emissions.

Energy efficiency plays a large role in curbing carbon emissions and, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2019 Energy Efficiency Report, attracts the highest share of global investments valued at USD 139 billion. In the UAE, the National Climate Change Plan of the UAE (2017-2050) highlights the buildings sector as one of the key sectors to improve for climate mitigation and adaption.

Several Emirates in the UAE have developed their own strategies and targets to address the large building stock that was built prior to any of the local green buildings and regulations.

Dubai

• The Dubai Demand Side Management (DSM) Retrofit Program aims to retrofit 30,000 buildings by 2030.
• Etihad ESCO was established in 2013 to create a viable performance contracting market for energy service companies (ESCOs) in Dubai. Along with other ESCOs, they aim to retrofit about 30,000 buildings by 2030 and generate 1.68 TWh energy savings and 5.64 IG water savings by 2030.
• The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) Directive No.1 2015, mandates a walkthrough Energy Audits for Government Buildings with over 1,000 m² GFA.

Abu Dhabi

• The Abu Dhabi Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030 has a target to retrofit 3,000 government buildings by 2030.
• In 2020, the Abu Dhabi Power Corporation has launched the Abu Dhabi Energy Services Company (ADES), which aims to facilitate the growth of the retrofit market in Abu Dhabi and supports the local energy services companies by providing greater energy efficiency opportunities in the Emirate.

Ras Al Khaimah

• The Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 has a target to retrofit 3,000 buildings by 2040.

Sharjah

• Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority launched its retrofit program in 2018, which focuses on the “Top 100 consumers” in Sharjah and aims to reduce an average of 30% energy consumption in these premises.