The thought behind sustainable buildings is to build now with the future in mind. In other words, industry specialists, like many others, are beginning to wonder how our actions now are going to translate to the next generation, and the next generation, and so on.
Nothing has seen so great an increase in environmental change, from global warming and climate change, as the increased industrial economic activity that has occurred over the last few decades. Most of the carbon dioxide increase in our atmosphere has been caused by the ever-enlarging amount of fossil fuels we consume as we continue to take our standard of living to the next highest level, and that intimately involves the construction industry.
There is a growing movement in the Middle East, though, to curb that appetite for more and transition it into something that will work better for the environment. The President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai has taken notice of the fact that we are placing a burden on our planet that cannot be sustained, and turned it into big news for the building industry as a whole.
International green building concepts are fast being incorporated into the UAE region as a whole in an effort to reduce our impact on the planet. The Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) was formed to promote the idea of sustainability throughout the region. This Council strives to set standards for developers to use when constructing new buildings. Many major developers in Dubai are recognizing the need for environmental awareness and are making a commitment to “go green” with much of their work.
As a direct results of government efforts in the region, many developers realize how building “green” can translate into a great marketing tool for them. Building green is seen as the “right thing to do” throughout the area. This positive attitude toward a company willing to do the right thing by aiding and protecting the environment can far outweigh any costs or delays that might be associated with changing or re-organizing the design or plan structure.