The Dubai Executive Council’s Committee for Green Buildings has outlined green building criteria for government and private buildings in Dubai.

This is part of its initiative to ensure a healthy and environment-friendly lifestyle across the Emirates. The new rules will come into effect from early 2008.

The committee comprises team members from Dubai Executive Council project on green buildings, as well as representatives from Dubai Municipality and Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA).

The announcement follows an earlier directive by vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tasking builders and developers to comply with green building standards.

The criteria, which are applicable to new buildings, will result in 30 per cent energy savings required for cooling and air–conditioning; nine per cent savings for lighting and six per cent for heating water. The new guidelines will also achieve up to 30 per cent water conservation.

Shaikh Mohammed’s directive will be implemented in three phases throughout Dubai, beginning with private buildings, and followed by new and existing government buildings.

In the final stages, orthophoto flyovers will be brought under the green building criteria.- TradeArabia News Service