< Previous50 FEBRUARY 2025 THE LAST WORD MEGA PROJECTS, MEGA IMPACT The construction industry plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change, accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. This stark fi gure underlines the urgency for sustainable solutions. Across the globe, the sector is increasingly recognising its responsibility to innovate, adapt, and minimise its environmental footprint. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Middle East, where mega and gigaprojects are setting bold examples of sustainable construction and carbon-neutral development. The region’s commitment to these principles is exemplifi ed by projects like Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, which remains a benchmark for energy-effi cient urban planning. With ambitious goals and measurable results, such as a reduced Energy Utilisation Index and low embodied carbon, Masdar City has demonstrated that sustainable design can inspire industry-wide progress and advance regulatory frameworks. These eff orts have not only reshaped the construction landscape but also infl uenced policy, setting a standard for others to follow. And now, with the fresh wave of mega and gigaprojects rapidly transforming from concept to reality, hope shines bright for the sustainable future of construction in the Middle East and beyond. These projects pioneering a course, that soon many will follow. REGULATION: INNOVATION LEADS THE WAY In industries like technology, it’s common to see innovation pave the way for regulation. Take Uber, for example: its disruptive model reshaped transportation and spurred forward- focused policies. While the construction sector has traditionally been slower to adapt, the Middle East’s megaprojects are proving to be exceptions. When such projects aim for unprecedented levels of sustainability, they inevitably push regulatory boundaries, often establishing new standards in the process. Two years after Masdar City’s launch, Abu Dhabi introduced Estidama, the world-class green building rating system that refl ects the city’s commitment to sustainability. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, which aspires to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, is driving the development of regulations that focus on renewable energy, artifi cial intelligence, IoT-driven resource optimisation, and sustainable transportation. CATALYSING GREEN INNOVATION The energy demands of gigaprojects are immense. So, to meet their net-zero targets requires innovative solutions. Renewable energy plays a central role in this transformation, with projects like NEOM and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park illustrating the region’s potential as a leader in clean energy production. With abundant sunshine, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to harness solar power on a massive scale, reducing dependency on fossil fuels. In addition to renewable energy, advanced building materials are transforming how these projects are realised. For instance, NEOM and the Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia are leveraging low-carbon concrete, which incorporates industrial by-products like fl y ash and slag, to minimise their carbon footprint. Similarly, Dubai’s Museum of the Future uses smart glass that adjusts its transparency to optimise energy effi ciency, showcasing how technology can be seamlessly integrated into sustainable design. Even traditional practices are being revisited with sustainability in mind. Diriyah Gate, for example, is incorporating passive design elements such as wind towers and shaded courtyards, which enhance energy effi ciency while honouring regional architectural heritage. Scott Coombes is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of AESG Visit the Construction Week Online website to read the full article CW_Feb2025_50_The Last Word_13495411.indd 50CW_Feb2025_50_The Last Word_13495411.indd 5003/02/2025 13:1403/02/2025 13:1415- 16 FEBRU AR Y ISD , DUB AI SPOR T S CITY 15 16 FEBRU AR Y Untitled-1 1Untitled-1 124/01/2025 12:0324/01/2025 12:03www.glaze.ae/ MARBLEMARBLE | | ONYX ONYX | | QUARTZQUARTZ | | PRECIOUS STONEPRECIOUS STONE | | TRAVERTINETRAVERTINE | | SINTERED STONESINTERED STONE | | PORCELAINPORCELAIN Surface Solutions, Designed By Nature Nature Untitled-4 1Untitled-4 131/01/2025 10:4731/01/2025 10:47Next >