DUBAI // UAE embassies in 16 countries are in line for a green make-over.
Embassies in strategic locations including London, Paris, Berlin, China and Canberra will take part in an initiative to ensure the UAE's global diplomatic missions reflect the country's sustainability agenda.
The scheme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and clean energy company Masdar, who signed a deal to work on UAE mission buildings over a period of five years.
Masdar will provide expertise to MoFA, ensuring embassy buildings benefit from increased operational efficiency through measures to reduce waste and conserve energy and water. Abu Dhabi's green building ranking system, Estidama, as well as international systems such as LEED and BREEAM, will be used where possible.
"With Masdar's expertise and assistance, we plan to integrate sustainability into all of our consulates, including new buildings as well as our existing portfolio of embassies," said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, the undersecretary of MoFA.
The programme aims to reduce the operating costs of embassies by minimising their energy and water consumption through measures such as installing efficient insulation and water fixtures.
Other goals include reducing the amount of waste generated in the buildings. The programme also seeks to enhance the awareness of embassy staff and the surrounding communities about sustainability issues and practices, MoFA said.
