Dubai green building rule

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has issued a new resolution on the implementation of green building specifications and standards in the Emirate of Dubai.

Under the new resolution, all owners of residential and commercial buildings and properties in Dubai must comply with internationally recognised environmentally-friendly specifications. The resolution will be effective from January 2008.

The aim is to turn Dubai into a healthy city that meets the demands of best practices and benchmarks of pollution-free sustainable development. "The resolution will boost Dubai's continuous efforts to promote global endeavors to face environmental challenges," explained Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, chair of The Executive Office.

"Through implementing this resolution, Dubai becomes the first city in the Middle East to adopt green building specifications," stated Al Gergawi, who is also the UAE Federal Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.

"The resolution falls in line with Sheikh Mohammed's keen interest in dealing with the current environmental challenges...The move is also part of The Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 announced earlier by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid," added Al Gergawi.

Al Gergawi was speaking at the inauguration of Pacific Controls Systems' Dubai headquarters. The building is the 16th worldwide to achieve a Platinum rating under the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

"The inauguration of this building is in line with the relevant instructions by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid," he stated. Ahmed bin Bayat, Secretary General of the Dubai Executive Council added: "The adoption of the green building specifications will contribute to the reduction of operational cost of buildings through reducing electricity and water bills and ensuring a model healthy environment."