< Previous40 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com COP28 UPDATE based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – it is estimated to save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually once completed. These eff orts are likely to lead to a gradual transition to cleaner sources of energy while creating new sectors for economic growth,” said Swapnil Pillai, Associate Director - Research at Savills Middle East. REAL ESTATE AND SUSTAINABILITY The real estate sector is an important driver of the UAE economy. It has seen phenomenal progress over the last few years but is still at a nascent stage of growth. As a sector, real estate globally is associated with signifi cant carbon emissions as part of its development and operations. It is important to ensure a sustainable path for the sector to evolve in the future. This includes a combination of eff orts from regulatory authorities, real estate developers, and also end users. A lot has been done in the past, however, policies and processes need to be re-evaluated on a regular basis due to the dynamic nature of the problem and the solutions that are available. CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS – LOCAL AND GLOBAL The UAE has implemented various policies and frameworks in recognition of the importance of sustainability in real estate. Those certifi cations include the Estidama Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS) in Abu Dhabi, the Al Sa’fat green building rating system, and international green building certifi cation schemes such as LEED-an assessment framework for healthy, energy-effi cient, and fi nancially saving green buildings-demonstrating the country’s commitment to global sustainability standards and fostering a green economy while also supporting long-term sustainable growth. Beyond LEED, other certifi cation schemes have achieved wide recognition and application, including NABERS, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System, and BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS REAL ESTATE SECTORS Offi ce LEED-certifi ed offi ce stock in Dubai currently only constitutes 22% of the total offi ce space, revealing a dearth of green-certifi ed offi ce buildings. This also highlights another challenge for the market, wherein the region largely relies on international certifi cations despite the region’s unique environmental challenges. Paula Walshe, Director - Transactional Services at Savills Middle East, said: “A large share of the green-certifi ed buildings in the country are located across established offi ce districts such as the DIFC, Dubai Design District, EXPO City in Dubai, and ADGM in Abu Dhabi. These assets have seen a signifi cant increase in occupancy levels over the last few years, with a double-digit annual increase in rental values during 2023, as corporates in the region prefer to be located in Grade A developments across these districts. While green certifi cations of such buildings have not been the primary deciding factor in taking up space, we are noticing an uptick in requests from both global and local corporates for Swapnil Pillai, Associate Director, Savills LEED-certifi ed offi ce stock in Dubai currently only constitutes 22% of the total offi ce space The government is utilising modern technology to address challenges and, in the process, creating new economic sectors in the form of green products and services Swapnil Pillai, Associate Director - Research at Savills Middle EastJanuary 2024 41 www.fm-middleeast.com COP28 UPDATE certifi cations such as LEED and/or WELL, the certifi cation scheme that focusses on occupant health and wellbeing." Residential Similar to other markets such as the UK, sustainability has moved up the agenda for an increasing number of residential developers in the region. “While the architecture and construction of the residential properties may diff er from those of the UAE, the challenge for the occupants of many houses in the UK is not only keeping them warm during winter, but they too need to adopt measures to prevent overheating in the summer,” said Dr Kat Martindale, Head of ESG Research and Director at Savills Earth. In our region, new schemes currently under development across Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Oman incorporate modern methods of construction while focusing on sustainable sources of energy, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting within the community, and also off er urban farms as a way to support local food production and cut down carbon emissions across the supply chain. Retail and Industrial Meanwhile, the retail and leisure sectors have been slow to adopt sustainability practices, and eff orts are needed to improve building effi ciency, performance, and operational use. Currently, less than 10% of the retail stock across the UAE is green-certifi ed. Tenant activities account for 80% of the asset’s carbon emissions, but there are still avenues for landlords to upgrade, including smart lighting in common areas, smart water metres and regulators, rooftop solar panels, and effi cient waste management and recycling systems. That is not the case with the warehousing sector, as it stands out as a quick adopter of sustainability practices. When compared to other real estate asset types, building a warehouse takes less time and is less complicated in terms of layout and general design. It is a segment of real estate that can be easily refurbished, and newer developments can be made more sustainable. IS RETROFITTING THE ANSWER TO MAKING OLDER STOCK MORE SUSTAINABLE? It is clear that our region is behind, with the number of assets that remain below the required criteria still stubbornly high. While rates of retrofi tting vary between sectors, the two that have the most engagement in personal terms, commercial and residential, attract the most attention, but also very pertinent challenges. Often there are three key barriers to retrofi tting any property. First is a consideration of the future use of the building. While adaptive reuse is not only an eff ective approach to addressing concerns around embodied carbon, it is not new but is often at the forefront of conversations around retrofi tting notably for commercial properties where conversation around occupancy rates leads into those around CapEx. Second, recovering the costs associated with retrofi tting environmental technologies is the most fi ercely debated with frequent calls for more stringent policies and statutory requirements as well as fi nancial incentives, loans, and grants. Exemptions apply to commercial property in the UK under a rule that specifi es where the installation of such technologies does not achieve a payback within seven years, a building is relieved of the responsibility. However, this does not address the demand from occupiers for more energy- effi cient buildings. Finally, the potential to retrofi t some buildings will be hampered by the architecture or heritage of the asset. In the UAE, the market is at an interesting juncture. While there is a signifi cant amount of newly built projects that are likely to enter the market, there are parts of the city where projects need to be refurbished or repurposed. This is mostly observed for the aging offi ce stock that is undergoing a fundamental shift in terms of its use. While cost implications have been the biggest barrier to refurbishment, an increasing number of clients have realised that the long-term viability and attractiveness of the asset will be contingent on how relevant the asset is in off ering a conducive and sustainable built environment to work, play, and live. “Barriers to delivering retrofi tting include a lack of skilled installers, lack of materials, passive political and policy frameworks, few incentive schemes, and, the most frequently cited obstacle, the fi nancial cost of improving a building’s performance. Sometimes, the potential to retrofi t some buildings will be hampered by something as simple as the architecture or heritage of the asset,” adds Martindale. However, the fi nancial aspects of greener and greening properties can prove the most motivating of forces, almost regardless of sector. Kat Martindale, Head of ESG Research, Savills Barriers to delivering retrofi tting include a lack of skilled installers, lack of materials, passive political and policy frameworks, few incentive schemes, and, the most frequently cited obstacle, the fi nancial cost of improving a building’s performance Dr Kat Martindale, Head of ESG Research and Director at Savills Earth42 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com SNAPSHOT DID YOU KNOW?January 2024 43 www.fm-middleeast.com SNAPSHOT STRUCTURE La Perle, by theatre director Franco Dragone, is a 1,300-seater purpose built aqua theatre in Al Habtoor City, Dubai, which has a pool in the centre stage that holds about 2 million litres of water. WATER There is an SFX (special eff ects) pump room that has two 300 HP pumps pumping 1,000 litres of water per minute. There are four big 600 mm pipes that carry out the quick drain operation from the main performer pool. ACOUSTICS The theatre has a total of 180 speakers that include delay and surround sound speakers.44 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com THE HEAT IS ON! A riston Group has been present in the Middle East market for the last 40 years, reveals Alberto Torner, Head of Middle East, Turkey and Caucasus. Elaborating a bit about the fi rm, Torner adds: “Ariston is more than a 90-year-old company, founded by Aristide Merloni in Italy. We are in the third generation now.” The company boasts a revenue of USD3.5bn, with several recent acquisitions. The Group covers the majority of water heating solutions from electric storage water heaters, solar panels, heat pumps, commercial tanks, and also air conditioning. Torner says: “Thanks to the acquisitions, we are expanding and our growing product portfolio can tackle the market requirements.” Ariston has a presence in Dubai, where it has its commercial offi ce and also an after-service company. It also covers the market of Saudi Arabia through its corporate offi ce in Riyadh. Torner is additionally responsible for Turkey and Caucasus regions which are being handled from the Dubai offi ce. Torner reveals that electric storage water heaters is the main product that is in demand in the UAE region. He also says that solar water heaters are picking up. He adds: “Since 2011, Dubai municipality has been pushing for the use of solar, especially in every new villas. Thanks to this, the market for water heating has Alberto Torner, Head of Middle East, Turkey and Caucasus at the water heating specialist fi rm Ariston Group, reveals how its energy-effi cient products will benefi t facilities managers SUPPLIER FOCUSJanuary 2024 45 www.fm-middleeast.com SUPPLIER FOCUS end user with reduced electricity bills. Facilities managers can also integrate our products as a solution to any end user. If facilities managers are off ering products that would benefi t the end user, we presume that their business also will grow.” Ariston is pushing strongly with its heat pumps as it’s been demonstrated that it can save up to 80% of the electrical bill. “We are off ering as many options as possible to the end user in order to satisfy their requirement.” Torner claims that Ariston products are easy to use and maintain. But the onus of taking care of the product is on the user. “Everyone should be accountable for their product. Maintenance should be done through a specifi c period of time. In this part of the world, many people don’t want to maintain it properly. If you buy a car you have to maintain it by putting the oil in it at the required intervals.” Ariston ensures longevity and reliability for its products as it uses the best raw materials, R&D engineers, and investments. The company also trains its distributors through technical seminars, meetings, and presentations. Torner adds: “Our training programmes are not only for FM companies but also for contractors, consultants, distributors, and plumbers.” He says the lifespan of Ariston equipment can vary according to the region, quality of water, and product. “Compared to our competitors, we can triple the lifespan of our products.” Ariston has a pre-sales and after sales service company that can support facilities managers and others and the kind of request they may bring to the fi rm such as maintenance, spare parts, or technical training. Talking about some of the challenges facing the market, Torner adds: “I would say that this is not an end user market. Alberto Torner, Head of Middle East, Turkey and Caucasus at Ariston Group We need to cater to the requirements of contractors, consultants, developers, and facilities managers as they are the ones off ering the services to a possible end user.” The other challenge, Torner reveals, is that “price is fundamental” to clients. The market at times would go for a cheaper product, thereby disregarding the quality. Finally, Torner believes that the Middle East, particularly Saudi, is facing a challenging time because of the construction boom. And because of the magnitude, suppliers also must be smart on how to tackle this demand. Torner says that for Ariston Group the focus will be to off er the best possible products and systems in the market, with Saudi Arabia being the main region to tackle. However, the fi rm does not forget its roots. He concludes: “We will not forget the roots that we already have in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, also in the Levant area. We will continue to provide the best possible products to the market and now renewable technologies are becoming a big part of our off erings. We will continue to invest not only in resources for making the best product possible but also in people, so that we can go to the market with the right product and the best possible services.” If facilities managers are off ering products that would benefi t the end user, we presume that their business also will grow expanded our product off ering for not only electric storage water heaters but also solar water heaters. And right now, we are also introducing heat pumps. More key stakeholders within the industry are ready to accept these kinds of solutions which are more sustainable.” All Ariston products can be used by facility managers, plumbing companies, and end users. Torner adds: “There are no restrictions for use of our products. We are also launching products that are technologically advanced, such as WiFi-enabled or HDMI-capable in order to enhance the performance of our products. I would say that for the facility management industry it is quite easy to interact with our products.” Ariston products also boasts at being energy effi cient. Torner says: “Our energy-effi cient products help the 46 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com SUPPLIER NEWS In conjunction with the COP28, the region’s District Cooling Operators Association held its ninth meeting in the presence and participation of the President and CEO of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), along with an elite of regional decision-makers in the district cooling industry from Qatar, most notably ‘Qatar Cool’ and ‘Marafeq Qatar’. The meeting was chaired by HE Ahmad bin Shafar, Chairman of the District Cooling Operators Association and CEO of the Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), and was attended by Rob Thornton, President and CEO of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), Khalid Al Marzooqi, CEO of Tabreed, Dr. Adib El Moubadder, CEO of Emicool, Bassam Tanbouz, General Manager-South Energy, Ehab Kahale, Operations Director- Leminar Global, a prominent HVAC & Plumbing Solutions provider in the GCC, proudly announces the signing of a distributorship agreement with Calpak, a leading solar thermal water heater manufacturer based in Athens, Greece. This collaboration signifi es a signifi cant stride in Leminar’s commitment to providing comprehensive and sustainable water heating solutions to the Middle East market, emphasising the shared dedication of both entities towards technological advancement and a greener future. Founded in 1976 as a subsidiary of British Petroleum (BP), Calpak swiftly emerged as Europe's pioneer in introducing solar energy for domestic hot water. Recognised for its technical expertise and groundbreaking research and development, Calpak stands out as a premier producer of top-tier solar thermal The Association welcomed the joining of district cooling companies from Qatar, ‘Qatar Cool’ and ‘Marafeq Qatar’ District Cooling Operators Association expands to Qatar at Dubai meeting The collaboration signifi es a signifi cant stride in Leminar’s commitment to providing comprehensive and sustainable water heating solutions Leminar Global partners with Europe’s solar system provider Calpak Emaar District Cooling, Eng. Yasser S. Al Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Cool, Eng. Ahmed Al-Ammari, CEO of Marafeq Qatar, Ramiz Hamdan Alaleh from the Regulatory and Supervisory Bureau Dubai (RSB) and the representation from Meydan. The Association welcomed the joining of district cooling companies from Qatar, ‘Qatar Cool’ and ‘Marafeq Qatar’ as members of the Association, and expressed its confi dence in collectors and hot water tanks. Leminar will represent Calpak’s fl agship products, including the Calpak Forced Circulation System and Calpak Xfl ow Fresh Water Ultratank in the UAE, while Leminar Qatar and Oman will distribute Calpak’s full product range, encompassing Thermosiphonic solar water heater systems. Panayis Konstantinidis, Managing Director at Calpak, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating: “This collaboration with Leminar represents an exciting leap forward in our mission to introduce our innovative solar solutions to the Middle East market. Our production facility in Athens is recognised as the most technologically advanced in the solar thermal industry, incorporating robotic technology.” Pramodh Idicheria, Chief Operating Offi cer of Leminar Global, commented: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Calpak, a company deeply rooted in a legacy of innovation and steadfast dedication to delivering sustainable solar solutions. Our commitment to off ering an extensive range of next-generation solar-powered water heating solutions to the GCC market remains unwavering. This partnership signifi es a signifi cant stride in our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices, as we continue to provide advanced turnkey solutions.” The meeting chaired by HE Ahmad bin Shafar the ability of the two companies to add value to the Association’s endeavors to achieve its goals. The meeting also discussed a comprehensive agenda, including exploring ways to protect natural resources and increase the operational effi ciency of the district cooling industry. The participants also considered ways of cooperation between key players of the district cooling industry, and deepening the bonds of joint action towards the reduction of carbon footprints using practical and scientifi c solutions. STRENGTHENING JOINT ACTION HE Ahmad bin Shafar, said: “The meeting agenda featured in-depth discussions on key issues, including the need to unify eff orts and mobilise all capabilities to enhance the sector’s performance at local, regional, and global levels.” Front L to R: MD of Calpak and CEO of Leminar42KM MARATHON • 10KM ROAD RACE • 4KM FUN RUN Sunday 7th January Register now at dubaimarathon.org Run for the chance to win an EXEED RX *T&Cs Apply48 January 2024www.fm-middleeast.com SUPPLIER NEWS To coincide with the visit of delegates to COP28 in Dubai, UAE, Danfoss, the Danish multinational engineering group, organised a series of site visits on 7 December to partners’ projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to demonstrate the positive impact of decarbonisation on reducing emissions and lowering energy costs. As part of the strong partnership between Danfoss and Tabreed, a district cooling operator, a delegation from Danfoss attended a study tour of the new geothermal district cooling plant, a collaboration project between Tabreed and ADNOC, in Masdar City’s sustainable urban development in Abu Dhabi, and the district cooling network in Downtown Dubai, both operated by Tabreed. Ziad Al Bawaliz, Danfoss Turkey, Middle East and Africa Regional President, explained why it is so important for leaders to directly Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye) region, has taken a signifi cant step towards fostering sustainability in partnership with SirajPower, the UAE's distributed solar energy provider in the region. This partnership will see the implementation of solar technologies with a capacity of 1.2 MWp at two key Emirates NBD locations to generate renewable, clean energy. The signing ceremony held at the COP28 Green Zone further underscores the bank's resolute commitment to sustainability, aligning seamlessly with the UAE's ambitious vision for a environmentally conscious future. Marking a pivotal moment, this strategic initiative comes at a crucial time as the UAE spearheads the conversation at COP28, bringing together nations and organisations to explore measures for ensuring a green future. Divided across two sites, the project includes rooftop and carport solutions at Emirates NBD’s Meydan location and a As part of the strong partnership between Danfoss and Tabreed, a delegation from Danfoss attended a study tour of the new geothermal district cooling plant Danfoss demonstrates how the UAE is leading the way on decarbonisation Emirates NBD has pledged to implement carbon emission reduction goals and adopt sustainable practices Emirates NBD forges strategic partnership with SirajPower at COP28 What we were able to show during these site visits is that technologies and solutions are readily available now which can have a huge impact on reaching global and regional climate goals.” Two of the site visits were organised in partnership with Tabreed and the Cool Coalition, which is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Cooling is a critical topic all around the world, but particularly in the GCC region which is warming about twice as fast as the global average. District cooling – where chilled water is supplied from a central, electrically powered chiller plant and circulated to buildings via underground pipelines – is one of the most promising and effi cient ways to cool and decarbonise buildings. It typically saves up to 50% of energy compared to conventional cooling systems. carport solution at the Jebel Ali location. With the implementation of SirajPower’s cutting- edge solar technology, Emirates NBD is poised to produce an annual 1.90 GWh of clean energy. As a member of the UAE Climate- Responsible Companies, Emirates NBD has pledged to implement carbon emission reduction goals and adopt sustainable practices in alignment with the national path to climate neutrality by 2050. Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Offi cer at Emirates NBD, said: “The partnership with SirajPower is a crucial step in Emirates NBD’s journey towards sustainability, contributing to the manifestation of clean energy and the reduction of carbon emissions. Recognising the signifi cant role of the fi nancial industry in promoting clean energy production, we are excited to explore diverse solutions to enhance our commitment to environmental stewardship and minimising our environmental impact. As we continue our conversations about a sustainable future here at COP28, we take pride in our collaboration with SirajPower, paving the way for more impactful renewable energy solutions.” SirajPower is a dedicated provider of solutions pertaining to solar energy in the UAE and the GCC region. The company holds the largest distributed solar energy portfolio of more than 130MWp in operation. The delegation at Downtown Dubai Cooling plant visit The signing was held at the COP28 Green Zone experience energy effi cient solutions in action. He said: “Seeing is believing, and, often, decision makers simply don’t know that we already have the solutions we need to not only reduce carbon emissions, but also to deliver substantial economic savings. We have a unique opportunity while the spotlight of the world is on the UAE during COP28 to demonstrate the important strides that we are making as a nation on decarbonisation. January 2024 49 www.fm-middleeast.com SUPPLIER NEWS Siemens named Hakan Ozdemir the Chief Executive Offi cer of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the Middle East. He succeeds Franco Atassi, who held the position since 2019. Ozdemir joined Siemens in 2014 as the Director of Strategy and Business Development in Turkey, after working for other prominent companies in the U.S., Germany, and Turkey. He is a seasoned management professional with broad experience in industry, infrastructure, healthcare and technology. Born in Munich, Ozdemir earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Boğaziçi University in Turkey, and a bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia in the U.S. In addition to his In a vital dialogue on indoor air quality, Goumbook and Sanofi hosted a think tank panel on 12 December 2023. “Invisible Challenge - Exploring the nexus of indoor air quality, public health and climate action” took place at COP28, Dubai and addressed the signifi cant challenge of air pollution. The discussion addressed the global health crisis caused by air pollution, the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and its increased impact due to climate change. The “Take a Breath” initiative, a collaboration between Telfast & Goumbook, exemplifi es proactive steps in the UAE. This project involves installing air quality monitors in 10 UAE schools and testing aff ordable solutions aiming to provide tangible proven improvements in air quality and community health. The baseline illustrated that in: • 100% of schools, Fine Inhalable Particles (PM2.5) were above limit levels • 80% of schools, Carbon Dioxide Hakan Ozdemir joined Siemens in 2014 as the Director of Strategy and Business Development in Turkey Siemens appoints new CEO of Smart Infrastructure in the Middle East The discussion addressed the global health crisis caused by air pollution, the fourth leading cause of death worldwide Goumbook and Sanofi champion Indoor Air Quality initiative in the UAE Concentrations were above limit levels • 70% of schools, Total Volatile Organic Compounds were above limit levels And already, by implementing only two of the solutions, the is signifi cant improvement in the air quality. In changing cleaning products to natural ones, the VOC levels improved by 33% and by installing air purifi ers, PM2.5 levels improved by 10.4%. More solutions are being tested across the school academic year. Refl ecting on the broader context of this initiative, Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi , stated during a separate event at COP 28 on December 2: “Celebrating our collaboration with Goumbook in the ‘Take a Breath’ initiative, we at Sanofi are proud to contribute actively to the UAE’s progressive eff orts in air quality management. This partnership, in line with the UN's vital recognition of clean air as a basic right, showcases our commitment to reducing environmental risks. By implementing practical solutions in schools, such as improved air fi ltration and natural cleaning products, we're making strides in health and safety and setting a global example for eff ective action against air pollution.” As part of this initiative, Telfast is committed to combating air quality inequality, especially in communities most aff ected by poor air conditions. Sanofi volunteers collaborate with various organisations to improve air quality in these communities. new role, Ozdemir is the CEO of Siemens in Qatar, a position he’s held since October 2022. “Hakan's extensive experience, coupled with his deep understanding of our operations, makes him an ideal leader to help our customers in the Middle East deploy technology that drives sustainable development, and create environments that care,” said Helmut von Struve, the CEO of Siemens in the Middle East. “Siemens Smart Infrastructure is fundamental to developing communities that are sustainable and resilient,” Ozdemir said. “I'm looking forward to working with our customers and partners to deliver smart infrastructure solutions, aiming to make a lasting positive impact on communities and the planet.” Hakan Ozdemir, CEO, Siemens Representatives of Goumbook and Sanofi Next >