23 Jan 2007

Dubai: The construction industry needs to incorporate eco-friendly building materials if the UAE is to become more environmentally friendly, according to industry experts.

The booming construction sector is straining the environment to accommodate the growing population. Yet environment protection should not be a hindrance to the growth of a country, if future generations are to have any kind of environment at all, said Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environment Group (EEG).

Wael Abu Adas, Vice President - Development, Damac Properties; Professor David Bellamy, renowned British ecologist and environmental campaigner and Mark Percival, the managing director of Falcon Panel Products - a UK-based supplier of wooden materials to the construction industry, took part in a roundtable discussion recently.

With about $300 billion (Dh1.1 trillion) invested in future projects in Dubai there is high demand for construction materials, said Al Marashi, highlighting that in 2005, 128 tonnes of cement, Dh1.9 billion worth of wood-based products and Dh2 billion worth of aluminum was imported to the UAE.

"These statistics present problems and opportunities... How de we lessen the impact on the environment by construction? Start to build green buildings... Commitment is required by developers to apply social corporate responsibility and keep away from quick profits," added Al Marashi.

Representing a minute percentage of Dubai's developers, Damac Properties' Vice-president Abu Adas said green buildings need government support and highlighted the benefits of environment friendly buildings.

Abu Adas added however that Damac had not yet, but was interested in applying green building measures to their developments in the future. "With no rain and no clouds, solar power makes sense but electricity is so cheap, it's just not worth it. Prices are coming down," he said, adding that no infrastructure exists to accommodate solar energy.

He also said there were problems in retrofitting some buildings.

Environmentally friendly products such as recycled wood and chipboard are now making their way onto the construction scene replacing tropical soft and hardwoods.

David Bellamy said it was estimated that by 2040 the world will require well over 20 billion cubic metres of industrial timber every year. To do so, plantations covering around 900 million hectares, an area somewhat larger than Australia would be needed.

"I am here to promote the use of recycled wood for every possible use. While back home I am working to get our government to produce legislation that will reward those who do it in an appropriate way," he said.

By Emmanuelle Landais

Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.