Enpark becomes first free zone in Gulf to launch Sustainable Development Policy

ENPARK's Sustainable Development Policy stipulates LEED Gold certification as the minimum standard for all developments within the free zone.

The policy is not limited to ENPARK's own buildings but also extends to third party projects.

This Sustainable Development Policy places major thrust on energy and water conservation, in addition to several other green requirements.

All buildings within ENPARK must be at least 24 per cent more energy efficient than an ASHRAE-IESNA 90.1-2004 code building; achieve potable water savings of at least 50% over EPAct 1992 ratings and divert at least 50% of the construction and demolition waste from landfills during the construction stage. All developers will be encouraged to exceed these minimum criteria.

Ali bin Towaih, Executive Director of ENPARK, said:

"Our sustainability ambition is a consolidation of the initiatives that the Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED) has implemented over the past two years across all TECOM entities. ENPARK's Sustainable Development Policy demonstrates our aggressive resolve to improve the environmental performance and sustainability of our buildings for the benefit of present as well as future generations. Adopting an inclusive approach to its development, ENPARK will work closely with all authorities to enlist their participation in the project and contribute to its success. As a commercial venture, ENPARK will aim to prove that conducting business in a sustainable manner will generate long-term benefits for the company as well as the entire community at large."

Other requirements of the policy include the application of renewable energy and the use of salvaged material in construction and fit-outs, as well as the implementation of a LEED compliant comprehensive recycling mechanism by all buildings when operational.

As the master developer, ENPARK is working aggressively to provide an infrastructure that will assist the sustainability ambitions of each facility in the free zone.

The infrastructure targets to incorporate adequate recycling centres, waste water treatment plant and network that will provide treated water for landscaping purposes and water closets, district cooling network and other green features.

The project aims to utilize solar photo-voltaic powered streetlights and other applications of clean technology.

While public signage throughout the free zone will aim to generate awareness among residents, flyers will be circulated to occupants on sustainability issues for encouraging the use of renewable energies.

As part of its overarching objectives, ENPARK is committed to conducting awareness and training sessions for business partners on a wide variety of sustainability issues.

Launched in June 2007, ENPARK aims to provide an enabling platform for sustainable business operations through the integration of eco-friendly policies, standards, education programmes and technologies, combining environmental, social and economic elements to reflect Dubai's benchmark for sustainable development.