CMtoday speaks to Hassam Chaudhry, Assistant Professor, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, at Heriot-Watt University Dubai on the milestones to achieving Net-zero.

Achieving the Net-zero target relies on several factors like collaboration among public-private entities, robust policies and reform, availability of natural resources, technological innovation, and participation of the citizens. The UAE has been driving significant change in the Net zero space for reducing carbon emissions and advocating the use of clean energy which is an integral part of the UAE’s model for addressing the issue of climate change.

Net-zero 2050 strategy impact  

The UAE government has invested over 40 billion USD in the sector. From organising industry dialogues like the UAE Regional Climate Dialogue in 2021 to the large-scale deployment of solar energy technologies to create sustainable communities, the UAE has already put in place foundations for green growth and climate change. The Expo 2020 seized the opportunity to introspect on the region’s sustainability performance and defined UAE’s progressive commitment to sustainability. Sustainable City Dubai is one of the best examples of the efficient use of sustainable materials. With ecological practises like the use of solar panels, and centrally located bio-dome greenhouses, the project signifies the possibilities to build cleaner and more reliable communities for all.

The UAE government is advocating ambitious targets for the region which reflects the prominent shift from focus on economic prospects to an ecological focus. Working on shifting its reliance on oil to other alternatives or the bid for hosting COP28 and winning the bid largely reflects the keen interest and commitment of the UAE to the 2050 target for creating a sustainable environment. It also reflects the preparedness of the country to collaborate with nations on a strategic level to achieve the set Net zero targets.

 Technology to aid transition

Due to the interdependence between the energy sector, transport, and existing infrastructure, it is imperative to adopt a holistic approach to net-zero transition. Initiatives like enhancing land networks for transportation, the transition from petrol-based cars to increased use of electric mobility and harnessing the potential of solar power for electrification will contribute to reducing energy consumption.

To reduce greenhouse emissions, one of the key challenges is to adapt existing organic resources such as building materials that can be implemented in modern construction. The use of low-carbon building materials, technology like 3D printing in construction, and sustainable alternatives like green cement, and green steel will have a significant impact on the built environment for new developments. For example, replacing traditional boilers and furnaces with heat pumps could cut global CO₂ emissions. Hence, the use of electric equipment or low-carbon technologies will be responsible for reducing energy consumption.

Real estate race to Net-zero

Carbon emission is not limited to the manufacturing of building materials, or the construction process itself but also encompasses operational energy such as heating and lighting, maintenance, and deconstruction. With considerable energy-related carbon emissions, the residential sector has a substantial role in achieving Net zero. The key step will be to make conscious design choices for creating energy-efficient homes and consider the surroundings of the home to evaluate factors like thermal insulation and lighting. For example, a well-insulated house ensures that heat from natural sources remains indoors. Similarly, minor shifts in the placement of windows, and adequate ventilation to circulate fresh air will make the house more efficient. Transforming buildings into smart buildings by incorporating energy information management systems, and automated building controls can lead to potential energy savings. Accelerating the transformation and massive deployment of all available clean and efficient energy technologies remains crucial in achieving Net zero by 2050. 

Net-zero neighbourhoods

Net zero neighbourhood covers all aspects including architecture, design and engineering, construction, energy management, house functioning, sustainable transportation, overall sustainability, and innovation. Participation of citizens is also crucial in building communities coupled with innovative solutions to curb the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The innovative approach to design and construction can be tested well through local projects at the neighbourhood level. The ideal Net zero neighbourhood must be equipped with ways to reduce energy and water use and limit waste generation. It must use a combination of technology, and innovative architectural designs and utilise the potential of renewable resources like solar power. It should also be planned in a way that provides support for the local economy and generates green jobs. Smart Infrastructure incorporates well-planned paths for people to walk and use cycles, a robust public transportation system in the surroundings, and a waste management system to ensure no waste ends up in landfills but is recycled and reused.

Green building materials

 According to International Energy Agency, the concrete sector currently accounts for 7 per cent of global carbon emissions. A building material working towards combating this issue is green concrete which can range from cement to aggregate to sand replacements and newer types of carbon-negative concrete. The variations of green cement can be made by adding supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) including fly ash, calcined clay, powdered limestone, silica fume, post-consumer glass, and recycled concrete. The process of converting limestone into lime, the binding element in conventional cement, is majorly responsible for CO₂ emissions and hence these variations are a sustainable solution for reducing the carbon footprint in construction.

Moreover, Net zero homes are built with highly energy-efficient materials such as insulated concrete, building integrated photovoltaic panels, recycled steel, and bamboo plywood and technologies such as grid-connected solar panels, thermal vapour recompression and cogeneration of heat and electricity to fulfil the operational energy requirements related to HVAC.

Alternatives such as the above naturally support temperature regulation and reduce the effects of heat waves due to their thermal insulating properties. Furthermore, these natural materials provide health benefits like moderating humidity levels by capturing and releasing vapour and providing a breathable indoor setting.

UAE’s role

The UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative is a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so. Since 2008 the UAE has become a permanent host country of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and has ratified the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC. In 2021, the UAE also announced a bid to host COP 28 in 2023, in which it has been successful thus underlining the ambitious growth of the country toward combating climate change. The UAE is also committed to enforcing globally recognised building regulations to ensure building materials and systems are of the highest standards during implementation.

With the rich culture, heritage and historical architecture, Middle Eastern countries have always embraced architectural modernisation to preserve the heritage and blend it with innovative sustainable practices. Validating the fact that UAE is committed to adopting sustainable choices, a recent industry survey indicated that 47 per cent of residents are keen to make environment-friendly homes in the UAE. Regulated energy consumption and production are the key aspects of building a Net zero home. For instance, designers can turn to offsite closed panel timber systems inclusive of insulation when designing energy-efficient homes.

Localisation is another important consideration to achieve social sustainability. Large transport mileage during a material’s production and distribution amounts to carbon emissions which can be minimised by using local materials and fabrication methodologies.