Dubai officials off to Denmark for tips on energy-efficient buildings

Municipal officials from Dubai will visit Denmark to learn more about sustainability in urban planning, a Danish minister has said.

Powered by automated translation

DUBAI // Municipal officials from Dubai will visit Denmark next month to learn about ways to make buildings more environmentally friendly.

The UAE has been pushing new building standards in efforts to make buildings – from malls to apartment complexes – “greener”, lowering its carbon footprint by introducing solar-powered heating and energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning.

Denmark has extensive knowledge in energy and climate policies, particularly in urban planning, and has specialised in green buildings for the past 25 years, said Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish minister for business and growth, said this week during a visit to the UAE.

While many countries are focusing on sustainability, it can be hard to introduce policies for better use of water, more clean air and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, while gaining economic growth, said Mr Poulsen.

“It’s quite difficult,” he said. “We invested a lot of money. We reduced our CO2 emissions and companies are still able to compete with other countries.”

Mr Poulsen, who last visited the UAE six years ago, plans to return next year to increase work between both countries.

“I think the UAE has a very ambitious plan,” he said. “There will be a lot to do and you have to invest a lot of money, but I think the authorities and regulators here are aware that they should be more green in their way of dealing and creating economic growth.

“But I am leaving very satisfied with what I have seen here in the UAE and the ambitions about trying to create more sustainability.”

He praised the UAE’s economic growth and progress since his last visit.

“I’ve been quite surprised,” he said. “There is a lot of activity going on in Dubai and it has a huge potential for further economic growth. This area is a hub for the Middle East.”

An official from Dubai Municipality said green buildings would improve the environment and protect new generation resources as well as improve the carbon footprint.

“Sustainable renewable resources will prevent the impact of exhaustive use of national capabilities,”the official said.

“Therefore, green buildings will meet the strategic plans of Dubai 2030 for energy conservation. International experiences will provide fruitful [knowledge] by applying different proven techniques and successful results and will save time on experiments.”

Experts said the UAE should take advantage of its limited resources and optimise them for the country’s use.

“We’re growing as a country and more people are coming, so we need to make sure that we provide a clean, sustainable environment for them to live in and for the country to grow into the future,” said Dr Hector Hernandez, assistant professor in chemical engineering at the Masdar Institute.

“In the six years I’ve been here, I’ve seen a lot of work that has been done in looking at how to optimise cooling systems and to increase the friendliness of buildings for people to live in.

“They’ve become more integrated with the environment and where they’re built.”

cmalek@thenational.ae