Global warming and climate change are two of the most serious problems the entire planet faces today. As scientists and researchers look for all possible remedies to the issue, the building industry has presented a very viable solution.
The Sustainable Design Group (SDG) has teams positioned around the world to aid developers with unforeseen construction issues. One focus for SDG to make buildings energy efficient is to find low-carbon solutions to building dilemmas. Options include solar collectors, vapour absorption chillers, grey water harvesting, wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Building construction is such an important element in reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because statistics show buildings produce almost 50% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
One team is resident in the U.K. and working on the newly mandated Building Regulations, Part L. Another team is located in Australia, striving to provide the best knowledge and latest ideas regarding Green Star compliant buildings in that country. The SDG team for the region surrounding Dubai will be based in the port city, and the group will be available to facilitate projects throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The Sustainable Design Group is not alone in its efforts to reduce emissions from the building industry. The British University in Dubai, for example, now offers a program to train and educate young people going into the construction and development industries on green building techniques.
