Staff Report
Dubai, UAE
The Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), a nonprofit organization promoting sustainability in construction through advocacy of eco-friendly building practices, organized its 13th Annual Congress. The event saw the convergence of policymakers, industry leaders, and academia to shed light on the critical role of the built environment in facilitating the global transition to sustainability and accelerating climate action. Titled ‘Beyond COP28: The Role of the Built Environment to Deliver on the UAE Consensus’, the event aimed to unite stakeholders in exploring actionable strategies to meet energy and climate commitments of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP), crucial for achieving the 1.5°C goal.
The 2024 Congress featured detailed presentations and panel discussions across five themes: Actioning COP28 Outcomes; Policies Driving Sustainability in the Built Environment; Green Supply Chain; Accelerating Progress to Net Zero; and Financing the Transition in the Built Environment.
Elham AlQasim, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, urged collaboration among stakeholders to pioneer ambitious projects and innovative solutions for achieving net zero targets. She highlighted that the building sector is projected to contribute significantly to the targeted 81.4 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.
“The building and construction sector consumes nearly half of the world’s raw materials while contributing almost 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions and solid waste. However, it also has an opportunity to close the gap to 1.5°C through an energy-efficient, regenerative, and just transition,” she said.
She emphasized the UAE’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate mitigation, stressing the pivotal role of the built environment in responding effectively to global climate challenges. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of energy efficiency, renewable integration, and sustainable practices in advancing the nation’s goals towards achieving net zero emissions.
Khaled Bushnaq, Chairman of EmiratesGBC said, “Since COP28, the appetite for change within our industry is growing, and we are beginning to see this translate into action. Our choices in designing, constructing, and managing our built environment will ensure that our buildings and infrastructure are zero-carbon, resilient, and sustainable and determine the legacy we leave for future generations.”
He also called for exploring the untapped potential of retrofitting and green finance mechanisms to reduce existing vulnerabilities in Arab cities and to maintain and improve local resilience.
Participants and speakers emphasized the UAE’s ‘pro-climate, pro-growth’ approach, which aims to shrink its environmental impact and establish ambitious climate objectives. The UAE plans to cut emissions by 40 percent by 2030 under its Third Update of the Second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The building sector, accounting for 27 percent of UAE’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, offers potential for a 56 percent reduction by 2030, crucial for meeting its 2050 net zero goals per the Paris Agreement.
The Congress stressed effective building policies, sustainable practices, green finance, and data availability for sector resilience. Key points included promoting green materials, private sector collaboration, and finance. Speakers discussed challenges and five enablers from the UAE Sustainable Built Environment Blueprint Report for enhancing climate action in the built environment.
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