Property developers in the UAE and throughout the Middle East are reported to have a greater understanding of green building and energy management principles, and are seeking expert advice on how to save energy over a building's life-cycle, said Energy Management Services (EMS), a Dubai-based energy management company, in a latest release, GN reported.
EMS said it has witnessed "a huge shift in mindset" in the last two years, as "property developers learn more about the benefits of energy management, including the huge cost savings that can be achieved".
"Two years ago we had to convince property developers to go green and think about efficient energy. The majority didn't know what 'green' meant and assumed there was an extra cost attached," said Khalid Bushnaq, chief executive officer of EMS, ahead of FM Expo and the 'Property and FM' conference in Dubai.
"Now developers want to go green and some are achieving Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification, an internationally recognised green building rating system. Many large developers are creating their own green design guidelines to be followed by smaller developers building on their plot of land," said Bushnaq.