Countdown to Irena

Counting the days to the Irena (International Renewable Energy Agency) summit on June 29 has had me biting my nails all week. To be or not to be, is the profound question. With the ‘be’ being the UAE’s bid to ‘be’ Irena’s headquarters, and possibly become (if it wins that is) the world’s power centre for all things sustainable and green.

So far, it looks like it is the strongest contender with several countries across the Middle East, Europe and Asia rendering their support for its win.

And as far as I can see, there’s only good to come out of it. It will be a win-win for most. And I say most, because I’m not too convinced of its magnificence for the construction industry.

The upside: One, it will be convenient for all countries to access, due to its central location, which only happens to be at the very centre of planet Earth.

Two, and it’s only the oldest trick in the book: hand out responsibility to make responsible.

So if there is any desire to see the UAE make an effort to change its rather large ecological footprint, this would be the best way to do it.

Three, it would do away with all the lip service paid to sustainability over the past few years, by many suppliers and developers in the region, especially green products.

The not-so-upside: Now (and I reiterate, if the UAE wins the bid), the industry will no longer have to merely abide by green regulations and rules, but actually go a step further and set standards for the world to follow. And with the UAE being the chosen one, those standards will have to be, pretty much, the best.

For many people in the industry who I’ve spoken with, it has all been well received, with shouts of praise and general positive feedback about the UAE becoming sustainability central. But it’s not going to be an easy job. It could affect the construction industry in a big way.

Would all the projects that have been planned, especially those, which have to be reclaimed from the sea, be allowed to go ahead? Would green regulations have to become law and would they have to be enforced? And would all construction paperwork, like acquiring building permits for example, become more difficult?

So before the cheering begins, let’s take a moment to think about the consequences of wearing the green crown and if the UAE is ready to take on the responsibility that comes with it. This week shall reveal all, hopefully.

Conrad Egbert is the editor of Construction Week.

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