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Sustainable cities are buzzwords as buildings are considered the biggest contributor to carbon emissions, officials say
KT Photo by Shihab
The UAE is one of the most proactive countries in the region when it comes to climate change and reducing carbon emissions, and is always the first to adopt and promote new technologies, panelists said at a forum on Wednesday.
“The UAE is one of the most aggressive countries in the Middle East and is always the first to take measures, while neighboring countries are following to some extent the trends established by the UAE. Adnan Javed, managing director of Trane Technologies, said on Wednesday Speaking at the Journey to Net Zero conference in Dubai, the country is at the forefront as a pioneer and enabler of new technologies that can be used in the region and around the world.
organizer harrij times, the forum is sponsored by Sustainability Partner Accenture, Gold Sponsor Trane Technologies, Silver Sponsor Fugro, and supported by Clean Energy Business Council, Middle East Solar Industry and Energy Industry Council Mena. Dubai’s Supreme Energy Council formally approved the meeting.
Sustainable cities are buzzwords, Javed stressed, because buildings are considered the biggest contributors to carbon emissions.
“To reduce carbon emissions, the first step is to start monitoring, and there are tools available as a starting point where people can measure pollution reductions,” he added.
Deepthy KB, regional director of the U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI, said people are at the center of smart cities so residents can benefit from better health, social equity, better economic conditions and overall prosperity.
“Our programs focus on people’s sustainability and quality of life. We are making a conscious difference in people’s health and wellbeing. Sustainability today should be a people-centred approach,” she said.
With the global population reaching 8 billion, she called for closing the gap between the rich and the underprivileged.
“In the event of a climate catastrophe, vulnerable communities will have more time to recover. So we need to focus not only on the geography of the different verticals of cities,” she added.
Chris Wan, head of design management at Masdar City, said the biggest barrier to achieving net zero emissions was engagement and a creative mindset, rather than technology and resources.
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