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By Emmanuelle Landais, Gulfnews
Published: October 27, 2007, 01:07
“ Dubai: Making buildings green will not affect construction activity in the emirate and guidelines will facilitate the process, green development officials said.

A centre for sustainable development has been launched to make the construction of green buildings in Dubai easier.

This is in line with directives for all new buildings to be certified as environmentally friendly from next year. The centre will release guidelines to provide help towards certification.

Dubai World and Pacific Control Systems jointly revealed the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development on Thursday that will equip companies within Dubai World and other companies with the necessary tools to make their premises energy efficient.

Global benchmark

The US Green Buildings Council (USGBC) and the Emirates Green Buildings Council will be involved in certifying the use of the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (Leed) Green Building Rating System - the international benchmark for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Ahmad Abdul Hussain, chief executive of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) regulatory arm of Dubai World, said all developers will have to abide by regulations. He said existing buildings will need to improve but new buildings will be a must.

“After the regulations are in place it could reduce the UAE’s carbon footprint by 50 per cent and reduce our water consumption. There will be very big changes,” said Hussain.

Regulations will have to be followed for all buildings not yet approved from January 2008, said Dr Sadek Owainati, founder of Emirates Green Buildings Council.

Ameen Al Mulla from Dubai World said buildings looking to be Leed certified faced problems from a shortage of resources such as a sustainable design, a certifying body and suitable material.

“We will try to make material availability much easier for those that want to be Leed certified,” he said.

Sandy Wiggins, chairman of USGBC, said Dubai’s new focus on suitable building materials will not halt development.

“From what we’ve seen in the United States, the market corrects itself. The market adapts to materials and producing goods that are environmentally friendly and we will work on getting the trade here,” said Wiggins.

He said the most basic adaptations to buildings starting with site orientation could get them on the ladder to a fully environmentally friendly structure.

(via dXb:729)