Emirates Environmental Group Sheds Light on Urban Extensions
EEG Conducted its 6th Panel Discussion on 29th November 2022 in association with Arabia CSR Network and supported by EmiratesGBC, Clean Energy Business Council and the Swiss Business Council.
Rheem Company and its distributor Leminar Global were the Co-sponsors of this event. The session shed light on how to redesign the current urban environment and achieve net zero.
Mr Brian Hempenstall, Managing Director – Rheem (MEA) said: “Rheem is nearly a 100 year old company and has been in the GCC for more than 30 years.
"In a building envelope we address 60% of the energy consumption across Air and Water heating product categories.
"Rheem’s high efficiency & innovative product offering is designed for a very low GHG emission and contributes enormously towards achieving the Net Zero sustainability targets of the region.”
Mrs Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Chairperson of EEG said: "Low emission policies increase the risk of locking-in buildings’ carbon for decades, while well-designed and effectively implemented mitigation interventions have significant potential to contribute to achieving SDGs.”
She accentuated the necessity of retrofitting in today’s scenario by stating, “A report by World Economic Forum states that 80% of the buildings we have today will exist in 2050."
"If we are to reach net zero by 2050 we face a significant challenge of mass green retrofitting to existing buildings to reduce the carbon emitted from them."
"Taking steps that cut energy consumption and reduce harmful emissions through retrofitting therefore becomes crucial for the industry – and for the community."
"That’s why national and local governments, housing associations and the private sector all need to come together to increase the energy efficiency of our building stock – a project that could reduce annual energy costs, create jobs and reduce national carbon emissions," she added.
EEG Rolls Out 22nd Edition Of Students Workshops
The session was chaired by Mr Issa Azar, CEO of Smart Automation Energy. The speakers who contributed their expert views were:
Mr Khaled Bushnaq, CEO Energy Management Services
Mr Henrique Pereira, CEO of Taka Solutions
Eng Mozah Mohamed Al Nuami - Director of Productivity and Demand at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
Mr Srinivasan Rangan - Director of Marketing and Product Management, RMEA Manufacturing LLC
The session discussed several important points such as:
The different types of retrofits that can improve the sustainability of buildings
Challenges facing the retrofitting of old constructions
Impacts of retrofits on the economy, society & the environment
Policies in the UAE that support the retrofit business, environmental impacts of manufacturing retrofit devices
Aid/grants from financial institutions for the installation of retrofits in existing constructions, Best practices from other countries where retrofitting was successful in increasing the overall sustainability of the building/city.
This discussion addressed several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals including Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy, Goal No 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities, Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production, Goal 13: Climate Action, Goal 15: Life on Land and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion where the experts and audience members including students shared information, discussed queries, pondered on the challenges and opportunities at hand, and uncovered the truths and complexities of the future of the planet.
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