12
Special News Going green in the UAE
Sheikh Mohammed’s green economy drive Initiatives for 2021 target announced His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched a new national initiative to build a green economy. Built on six principles covering energy programmes, investments in new technologies and jobs, urban planning, the reduction of carbon emissions and carbon capture initiatives, the policy is being promoted under the slogan ‘a green economy for sustainable development.’ “We, in the UAE, within the vision 2021, are striving to build a diversified economy based on knowledge and innovation, through which we can provide excellent employment opportunities to our citizens,” Sheikh Mohammed said. One of the ‘milestone’ developments towards the green future was announced last month, with the news that a multibillion-dirham Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is to be built in Dubai. This will be the first utility-scale production capacity park of its kind in the region. Introduced as a prelude to a host of new projects, the park has a projected production capacity of 10MW by 2013, rising to 1000MW by 2030. “Up to the year 2021, we will launch a range of initiatives and projects in all areas to achieve our goal. I ask everyone to prepare for a new phase in the growth of the UAE,” he added.
Bee’ah school competition shortlisted Creativity, innovation and 3Rs recognised in school programmes
First LEED certification for multiple projects awarded to LG Electronics Twenty student projects have been shortlisted in the Sharjah Environment Awareness Awards under the direction of the Emirate’s ruler H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. The ongoing competition was launched in 2010 through the Bee’ah School of Environment and is designed toincrease student awareness of the preservation of natural resources, waste disposal, water conservation and the creation of a sustainable environment. This year, new criteria have been added to address the adoption of green codes within the school for its ‘commitment to positive environmental habits’. The shortlisted projects have been selected for their creativity, innovation and implementation of the 3R’s. “Bee’ah places strong emphasis on awarding the schools, instead of individuals, for their sustainable projects,” explained Bee’ah CEO Khaled Al Huraimel. The winners will be announced in June.
Additional accolade for corporate model LG Electronics has been named the first company in the Middle East to receive a gold LEED certification for its multiple projects at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Freezone, which have achieved energy savings of 21.5% and potable water savings of 31.8%. In addition, 91.7% of construction waste has been diverted from landfills. The certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institution (GBCI) was followed up with a further certificate from EHS, the regulatory arm of Trakhees. Contributing to the savings were LG’s LED lighting system; occupancy sensors in meeting rooms and corridors to automate lighting; and the Multi-V Variable Refrigerant Flow AC system. The building also includes a 30 kW on-grid solar photovoltaic system.
Yas project achieves 80% water savings
This was also the first site in the region to utilise sea water in an EPIC system installation. “The growing desire for the ultimate ‘green city’ must come coupled with an equal conviction EPIC system showcased with Aldar for sustainable steps to reach this desired outcome, especially when taking into account that irrigation is by far the largest use of water Irrigation solutions by EPIC Green Solutions, around the world,” said EPIC chairman and that have been demonstrated by developer Aldar CEO Charlie Fleifel. on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, have achieved water Geoff Turnbull, planning and landscape savings of 80%. architecture representative for Aldar added: It’s one of a number of demonstrations “We are proud to join forces with EPIC Green across the UAE that also included Abu Dhabi’s Solutions to find sustainable solutions to better Al Sammaleah Island where the sub-surface manage scarce water resources in the region. This EPIC system was compared to a conventional initiative aligns with Aldar’s continuing efforts to top-surface irrigation system. Again, results promote green technologies that meet the longdemonstrated water savings of 80% compared to term demands of Abu Dhabi and demonstrate traditional systems. performance that blend functionality, environmental demands and aesthetics.” February 2012
www.buildgreen.ae