I am no fan of the government interfering in the workings of the private sector but, when it comes to taking care of the environment, there is no alternative to top-down leadership on the issue.
The fact that UAE Energy Minister Mohammed Dhaen Al Hamili yesterday referred to the need for greater interest to be paid to the environment is welcome. However, the statement was lacklustre, with the only tangible promise being news that Dubai will host an environment and renewable exhibition later this month.
This is hardly the leadership required for a country that is said by the World Wildlife Fund to have the largest per-capita “ecological footprint” in the world. The average person in the Emirates puts more demand on the global ecosystem than anywhere else on the planet, according to the organisation.
The UAE government disputes that finding, but must concede that even if it does not have the absolute worst environmental record in the world, it is certainly among the worst.
For cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, there is little excuse for not doing better. Dubai, in particular, will double in size over the next 10 years. That provides a unique opportunity to go green.
Planning regulations in the developed world are odious and often pointless but, even in countries where changing regulations is a bureaucratic nightmare, environmental concerns are making a mark. Planning permission in Chicago, Tokyo or Madrid is far more likely to be granted for a building that has a positive or neutral impact on the environment.
The same strategy should be adopted throughout the Middle East. If a property developer wants to construct a new residential or office tower, it must apply for planning permission, and the plan must outline the environmental impact of the construction and lifespan of the project. Permission would be granted only after a full environmental assessment, and government-set targets would have to met.
The solutions for property developers that want to go green are now simple, affordable and commercially viable. Solar panels on the roof and sides of buildings are an obvious starting point in a region with so much sunshine. Tall buildings also capture the most wind, so turbines are another possibility for generating electricity.
Saving energy is just as important. All new offices should be fitted with motion sensors that turn off lights when nobody is in a room. Air conditioning is a necessary evil in environmental terms, but modern units are considerably more efficient than older models.
Waste disposal is another area that should be regulated. Landlords could take a lead in encouraging tenants to separate their plastics, glass and paper and provide convenient ways to collect them. A three-bin system in every new kitchen would be a good starting point.
The list of options and opportunities could go on and on, but nothing will change without strong leadership from the top. If rules are implemented now on the regulations for all new construction in the public and private sector, then – in less than a generation – the Gulf region could become more eco-friendly, and less of a foe.
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