UK-UAE Collaboration in Decarbonising the Built Environment

With the UAE hosting CoP28 this year, and the rising impact of climate change on the environment, sustainability and decarbonisation have become prominent themes for the UAE-UK Business Council, offering a multitude of opportunities for closer commercial collaboration and knowledge exchange between the UAE and the UK.

Cityscape

Our ‘Decarbonisation of the Built Environment’ campaign was launched in December 2022 during the Big 5 Global Construction Summit in Dubai, focusing on the impact and sustainability of the construction sector. This campaign is led by Campbell Gray, CEO Middle East and Africa, Atkins, and by Mohammed Al Baloushi, Director, Diversified Assets, UAE Investments Platform, Mubadala Investment Company. The Campaign Group has brought together over 20 senior experts and business leaders within construction, academia and sustainable construction solutions such as Mott MacDonald, Heriot Watt University, SEE Institute, Masdar, RICS, Emirates Green Building Council, De Montfort University, Alpin Ltd, and American University Sharjah.

The Group has held several meetings and discussions on relevant issues and themes, and have decided to focus on three specific areas:

  • Retrofitting of existing building stock

  • Developing robust datasets, methodologies and evaluations

  • Cement, Low Carbon construction materials and sustainable alternatives

These themes will allow for more in-depth dialogue and discussion on how best to alleviate sustainability issues within the construction sector, and offer valuable knowledge and experience exchange between both the UAE and the UK. The key findings and outcomes of these meetings will be reflected in a Summit to be held in the UAE during CoP28 later this year, and in a policy paper that will be published and submitted to both Governments for consideration in early 2024.