GHD implements sustainability guidelines in Abu Dhabi

Estidama, meaning 'sustainability' in Arabic, are the sustainability guidelines and green building rating tools initiated by a group of government agencies and developers to align the leadership's vision in transforming Abu Dhabi to a sustainable Arab Capital. The guidelines incorporate assessment of a building's environmental impact in the fields of water, energy use, ecology, management, transport, pollution, materials, waste management and land use. "Estidama Pearls" will be used to provide an overall rating concerning the sustainable design of the building and its ability to operate in a sustainable manner.

In servicing a group of proactive local clients, GHD is adopting the principles of the guidelines and providing preliminary Estidama assessments for schematic and detailed designs of new buildings.

GHD's principal environmental scientist Henrietta Jukes said:

"Whilst the Estidama guidelines currently relate to new buildings only, it is expected that preliminary guidelines covering retrofitting and renovations, as well as full scale developments will be released in the coming months."

As a means of improving the practicality of the guidelines, GHD has participated in the feedback process through the agencies who play a significant part in aligning the guidelines to Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, the urban development framework designed to govern the growth of Abu Dhabi over the next 20 years.

"Engagement of a consultancy firm such as GHD, with dedicated environmental and sustainability capability to perform Estidama assessments will assist ongoing sustainable development within the UAE, and in particular Abu Dhabi," Ms Jukes said.