Dubai Maritime City showcases its Green Building best practices to Nobel Prize winner

The meeting was focused on showcasing Dubai Maritime City's strategies on green buildings, environmental protection and sustainable development. Dr. Pachauri was in Dubai to attend the launch of ETA Star's tower in Dubai Maritime City.

According to Dubai Maritime City's Master Plan, all developers must obtain green building certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications.

In addition, all buildings in the Maritime City will be reviewed to asses the degree of compliance with the environmental requirements in terms of design, operations and best practices.

This is in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, issued to all builders in Dubai mandating that all new buildings in Dubai should follow these principles.

Dr. Pachauri was given an overview of the green building concept within Dubai Maritime City and how it will focus on ensuring that energy consumption conservation measures are in place, such as reduced use of non-renewable sources; reduced production of waste pollutants; maximized opportunities for passive ventilation and cooling; enhanced indoor environmental air quality; enhanced community life; use of solar energy; specification of appropriate material performances; thermally efficient glazing; use of energy-efficient mechanical systems; incorporation of recycling strategies; and maximized opportunities for efficient water consumption.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Pachuari expressed his admiration for H.H. Sheikh Mohammed: "His Highness's commitment in addressing environmental challenges by adopting innovative strategies is clearly evident through last year's directive, which deserves a lot of admiration and respect," stated Dr. Pachauri. He also highlighted that once complete, Dubai Maritime City will be the only city in the world that applies Green Building principles across its entirety. "Dubai Maritime City will stand as a model that other cities around the world should follow," he concluded.

Dr. Pachauri is an economist and environmental scientist who has served as the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since 2002.

Pachauri is also the director general of the Energy and Resources Institute in New Delhi, an institution devoted to researching and promoting sustainable development.

On December 10, 2007, Dr. Pachauri accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the IPCC, along with co-recipient Al Gore.