Khaleej Times, Sunday, Feb 19, 2023 | Rajab 28, 1444
Why we need sustainable housing solutions for a better tomorrow
Emirates:
Along with food and clothing, shelter is one of the most immediate basic human
needs. Amidst planetary challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and
pollution, the world today also faces a double whammy of population growth –
projected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion by 2050 – and surging
demand for housing and commercial properties.
By 2030, 3 billion people will need new housing and about 300 million new homes
will be required, or roughly 21 million new homes per year. This staggering
projection also means increased demand for construction and associated
materials, including steel, aluminum, glass, bricks and concrete – the second
most used resource on the planet after water.
It also leads to the depletion of already scarce natural resources, particularly
soil and freshwater, and more energy demand, thus contributing to Green House
Gas (GHG) emissions. Unfortunately, commercial and residential buildings
globally are responsible for over one-third of energy use and energy-related GHG
emissions. In particular, buildings are responsible for about 39 per cent of
global energy-related carbon emissions, which includes 28 per cent from
operational emissions, from the energy needed to heat, cool, and power them, and
11 per cent from construction and materials such as steel, cement, and glass.
Effective policymaking and sustainability-driven projects offer solutions
Looking at this alarming trend, the world needs to step up efforts to make real
estate sustainable, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), the
world’s most water-scarce region and home to some of the hottest areas on the
planet. It includes rethinking construction materials and implementing more
robust regulations to ensure the whole life cycle of the industry has a minimal
negative impact on our environment – from conception to construction and from
inhabiting to demolition and waste disposal.
More importantly, innovative and tangible solutions must be identified, scaled
up, and highlighted on different global platforms.
One such platform was the World Government Summit 2023, hosted by Dubai this
week. The summit brought together about 10,000 participants, including
presidents, ministers, government officials, heads of international
organizations and companies, thought leaders, global experts, and prominent
business leaders who will share visions and discuss ideas and strategies for the
future.
Keeping in view the importance of sustainability in the real estate sector, one
of the summit’s key themes focused on global city design and sustainability. It
served as a vital platform to discuss how governments can help create better
sustainable cities as we face rapid urbanization and how we can efficiently
embrace sustainability-driven infrastructures while engaging communities and
promoting clean energy and decarbonisation.
UAE paves the way for sustainable living
Thanks to the efforts by the UAE’s leadership, the country has been at the
forefront of promoting sustainable living and setting examples through
initiatives like National Net Zero by 2050 Pathway and a nationwide plan to
introduce new sustainability standards for buildings, roads and homes to
preserve resources and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. The plan aims to
cut the energy requirements of buildings and homes by 25 per cent and to reduce
water consumption by 16 per cent. Also, the amount of energy and materials it
takes to build roads would be cut by 45 per cent.
In line with these efforts and as it gears to host COP28, the country also
declared 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. It will focus more on environmental
sustainability by inspiring collective action through a nationwide commitment
toward sustainable practices this year and beyond.
Sustainable cities
Keeping up with these efforts, the UAE also ranks high in the number of
buildings accredited by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
and is creating an enabling environment for green investments and constructing
eco-friendly buildings and sustainable cities in different emirates.
Sharjah Sustainable City is one such initiative, which is designed to reduce
carbon emissions by using renewable energy sources, promoting green mobility,
repurposing waste and using sustainable construction materials. Besides
utilizing renewable energy sources, the city is equipped with a biogas plant to
treat organic waste (food waste, green waste, and sludge) that will convert
waste problems into a resource (electricity and/or thermal energy).
Moreover, the city also promotes community engagement and builds capacities
through a number of programs focused on green living and how we can together
reduce our carbon and water footprints. It also promotes health and well-being
as well as sustainable agriculture and repurposing waste.
Way forward
No doubt, the concept of sustainable cities is one of the most effective means
to promote sustainable living in countries like the UAE as we speed up our
efforts toward Net Zero ambitions. However, there is still a long way to go when
the concept is adopted more widely in other countries, especially in the Mena
region. Due to its importance for economic growth, the construction sector is
yet here to grow further so will its impact on our environment. However, with
visionary leadership and taping the potential of emerging talent and
innovations, realising a sustainable world is already in the offing.