The sustainable buildings section of Abu Dhabi City Municipality recently reported that 385 new projects have met the Estidama sustainability standards across Abu Dhabi and its suburbs since the beginning of the year. Of the 385 projects, 304 are in the design phase and 81 are in the construction phase.
In a bid to advance the implementation of sustainability standards across all sectors, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality launched the Estidama Pearl Rating System, a pioneering program that ensures buildings adhere to green building standards and sustainability requirements.
This system plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and conserving essential resources like electricity and water. It also promotes environmentally friendly buildings that meet the demands of ecological sustainability while providing a healthy living environment.
Requirements to obtain building permits
Abu Dhabi’s municipality emphasized that the Estidama Pearl Rating System is a tiered evaluation system, ranging from one to five pearls. It assesses buildings based on their adherence to sustainability requirements. Government-funded projects must achieve a minimum two-pearl rating, while privately funded projects must achieve at least a one-pearl rating. Meeting these requirements is essential for obtaining a building permit.
Abu Dhabi’s Estidama system encompasses several main credit categories with numerous sub-clauses. These credit categories include integrated development systems, natural systems, indoor and outdoor livability, water, energy and building materials.
For instance, within the indoor and outdoor livability category, the sustainable buildings section focuses on ensuring good indoor air quality and adequate shading in outdoor spaces such as parking areas and walkways to enhance comfort for building occupants.
Reducing construction sector’s emissions
Highlighting the positive impact of implementing the Estidama Pearl Rating System, Abu Dhabi’s municipality explained that it extends the lifespan of buildings, reduces operating costs, enhances occupant comfort and minimizes environmental impact. This is particularly important considering the construction sector’s contribution of 40 percent to annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the system contributes to significant reductions in water and energy consumption compared to projects that have not applied the Estidama Pearl Rating System.
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Abu Dhabi advances sustainability efforts
The emirate has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 22 percent by 2027. Therefore, Abu Dhabi implemented key initiatives to achieve this goal including the implementation of the Estidama Pearl Rating System and the adoption of a carbon measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) program. The city has also launched several sustainability initiatives to reduce waste including the Single-Use Plastic Policy in 2020 and the ban on single-use plastic bags in 2022.
In addition, Abu Dhabi developed the Environment Vision 2030 which outlines 5 key priorities including minimizing the impact of climate change, ensuring clean air and reducing noise pollution, efficiently managing and conserving water resources, enhancing biodiversity, habitats and cultural heritage, and enhancing value creation through optimized material flows and waste management.
