Dubai: Plans to apply a green building concept to all structures in Dubai was discussed by the Dubai Executive Council yesterday and welcomed by advocates for greener architecture.

The green concept aims to increase the lifetime of buildings and preserve the ecology system, which increases productivity and supports the economy in all sectors.

This follows Dubai Government's efforts to face ecological challenges, changes in weather and global heat retention, and are within the framework of the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Mario Seneviratne, founder of the Green Building Council and secretary to the board said a green building could reduce water consumption by between 20 and 30 per cent and steps to adopt more green designs is a step in the right direction.

Dubai Government's Green Building Project discussed by Dubai Executive Council (DEC) is based on enhancing the quality of life and protecting the environment from pollution and heat retention as well as preserving water resources, encouraging efficient use of energy and recycling building materials as well as using renewable energy.

"Recent concentrated efforts to make buildings greener are appreciated. There are a large percentage of people, developers and clients, who are looking for green buildings, but what that is needs to be defined," said Seneviratne.

He added that currently there are about 25 projects for green buildings in Dubai in the pipelines, and so far Dubai has three green buildings already standing.

Dubai project: Council debates recommendations of study

The Dubai Executive Council discussed a study of the Green Building Project of Dubai government, which recommended that the concept be extended to all buildings in the emirate.

In a meeting chaired yesterday by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Department and Emirates airlines and Deputy Chairman of the Council, the council considered the recommendations of the study, which aims to enhance the quality of life and protect the environment from pollution and heat retention.