Pioneering Greenhouse Gas Inventory confirms significantly reduced emissions at The Sustainable City in 2017

• First gated community in the region to release a Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
• Key findings include: The GHG intensity of the villas at The Sustainable City is almost 50% less than that of a conventional villa in UAE. Per capita water consumption is 31% less than Dubai average. Per capita grid electricity consumption is 42% less than Dubai average.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Sustainable City, the Middle East’s first fully-operational sustainable community, has become the first gated community in the region to release its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory. The initiative is part of The Sustainable City’s strategic collaboration with Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF(EWS-WWF).

The Sustainable City’s total emissions for the year 2017 are 8,761 tCO₂e with electricity accounting for 50%, waste for 38%, and water for 11%*. The GHG inventory covers the emissions from the fully operational Phase 1, as well as electricity and fuel related emissions from the under-construction Phase 2 of The Sustainable City. During the year 2017, 363 villas and 200 apartments were occupied, and the city had a resident population of approximately 1900. The inventory results show that the GHG intensity of the villas at The Sustainable City is almost 50% less than that of a conventional villa in UAE. The Sustainable City was successful in achieving a lower footprint through efficient design, rooftop solar, solar-charged electric buggies, organic waste composting and other low carbon initiatives. The per capita grid electricity and water consumption is 42% and 30% less than the Dubai average respectively.

The report was prepared in accordance with The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories. The emissions results were verified by Dubai Carbon, a private joint-stock company established to cater to building a low-carbon and green economy.

Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers — the company behind The Sustainable City — commented: “The results of our GHG inventory confirm that The Sustainable City is continually working to fight climate change and proactively reducing our carbon emissions in alignment with the Paris agreement and the sustainable development goals. Moving forward, we will be taking steps to further reduce our emissions through the addition of 3.6 MW of solar PVs, the use of biodiesel for construction activities, and various awareness campaigns for residents.”

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of EWS-WWF, said, “Climate change is a defining issue today, and cities and communities play a key role in addressing this global challenge. The Sustainable City is a prime example of how a mixed-use community can be developed and operated in line with sustainability principles and with consequently reduced emissions, even in the harsh climate of the Gulf. The partnership between The Sustainable City and EWS-WWF not only includes measuring and reporting the City’s GHG emissions but extends to examining best practices for mitigating carbon emissions from residential and non-residential activities.”

The Sustainable City and EWS-WWF are working together to address climate change, promote renewable energy, reduce GHG emissions and measure how the city performs against key performance indicators. The Sustainable City consistently demonstrates how a low-carbon business model can be transformational for real estate sector in the UAE, reducing the environmental impact of residential developments while also contributing to economic growth.

*The Sustainable City’s emissions reported here are not comparable to national emissions figures as a range of activities outside the community are not accounted for in the City’s inventory. For instance, emissions from transportation outside the community, and those generated during food production and product manufacturing, are not included.

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About Sustainable City:

The Sustainable City in Dubai embraces the three pillars of sustainability; Social, Environmental, and Economic, across one all-inclusive and comprehensive community landscape. Providing a full array of residential wellness facilities and amenities that have no negative impact on the environment, a unique concept that redefines sustainable living through its energy efficient housing, first Net Zero Energy city, net Zero service or maintenance fees, green education and health care, eco-attractions and a full range of indoor and outdoor leisure activities, commercial, urban farming, and an Innovation Centre. With 46 hectares, the city is located in Dubailand on Al Qudra Road.

This year, The Sustainable City has been recognised as the ‘Best Mixed-Used Development in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Public Service in the Middle East’ at the International Property Awards, as well as the ‘Happiest Community’ in the gulf at the Gulf Real Estate Awards. Last year.

About Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF

Emirates Wildlife Society is a national (UAE) environmental non-governmental organisation established in 2001 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s representative in the Al Dhafra region and Chairman of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. Emirates Wildlife Society works in association with WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with offices in 100 countries. The association is commonly known as EWS-WWF.

Our vision is to build a future where humans live in harmony with nature. Our mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the environment. We work with people and institutions in the UAE and region, to implement conservation solutions through science, research, policy, education and awareness.

For more information please visit www.uae.panda.org

© Press Release 2018