UAE join list of top countries with green buildings

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) The UAE is ranked ninth among the Top 10 nations with the biggest energy-efficient buildings outside the US, the Green Building Council (GBC) has announced. The US-based council, an industry body that promotes cost-efficient and energy-saving buildings, released its ranking for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) outside of the United States.
GBC said the latest list, based on figures as of April 2014, demonstrates the global transformation of the built environment into healthy, high-performing structures that benefit its dwellers.
The UAE ranked ahead of Finland. Canada topped the list, followed by China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Brazil and Singapore. However, the UAE currently has nearly 10 times the number of LEED-registered projects than Singapore, based on the current projects.
Among the notable projects in the UAE, the council cited, is the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Headquarters, which has a LEED Platinum rating (highest possible under this system).
The ranking of the top 10 countries for LEED outside of the US is based on cumulative gross square meters (GSM) of space certified to LEED in each nation as of April 2014.
Canada tops the list, with 17.74 million GSM of LEED space.
"The global community is increasingly recognising the imperative for action as we combat the extraordinary challenge of worldwide climate change,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC.
"LEED's success across a wide variety of cultures, climates and communities represents not only a growing recognition of its demonstrated benefits for human health and operational cost savings, but also its unparalleled potential to be part of the solution to a warming planet and rising sea levels.”
The list of the top 10 countries for LEED reflects the global adaptability of the world's most widely used and recognised system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings.
To date, project teams in more than 140 countries and territories have implemented LEED in their building projects, taking advantage of its global, regional and local applicability to create structures that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; create healthier indoor environments for workers, students and community members; and lower utility bills for building owners through reduced energy and water use.
Collectively, Canada boasts 4,068 total LEED-registered and -certified projects, representing 58.66 million total GSM of LEED space.
China and India, two of the world's fastest growing economies and rapid adopters of sustainable building practices, took second and third place on the list, respectively boasting 14.30 million and 11.64 million GSM of LEED-certified space.
Other Asian nations in the top 10 include South Korea, at No. 4 with 3.84 million GSM of LEED-certified space; Taiwan, at No. 5 with 2.98 million GSM; and Singapore, at No. 8 with 2.16 million GSM.
In Europe, Germany and Finland secured spots 6 and 10, respectively — Germany with 2.90 million GSM of LEED-certified space and Finland with 1.45 million.
In South America, Brazil stood at No. 7 on the list, with 2.85 million GSM, while the United Arab Emirates represented green building success in the Middle East, at No. 9 with 1.82 million GSM of LEED-certified space.
Source: Gulf News