< PreviousWHITEPAPER www.mepmiddleeast.com 70 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com Investment and Growth Investment in energy effi ciency continues to grow, though at a slower pace due to economic challenges. In 2024, global investment in energy effi ciency was expected to rise by nearly four percent, reaching USD 660 billion. Despite this rise, high infl ation and interest rates have caused a decline in building-sector investments. Energy effi ciency investments in Africa are projected to increase by 60% in 2024, and China’s energy effi ciency investment is also poised to grow by nearly 10%. The Workforce Challenge Energy effi ciency employment reached nearly 10 million globally in 2023, recovering to pre- pandemic levels. Job creation has been infl uential in heat pump manufacturing and installation. China has the largest energy effi ciency workforce, followed by North America and growing job markets in India and Africa. The Net Zero Emissions Scenario projects a nearly fi ve million increase in energy effi ciency jobs by 2030. However, there are shortages of skilled workers, especially in advanced economies where retirement rates are high. Governments, private sectors, and educational institutions must collaborate to ensure the workforce is adequately trained to meet growing demand. A REGION-WISE REPORT CARD Emerging markets are not just rapidly becoming the key drivers of global energy demand, but they are also the beacon of hope for a sustainable future. By 2050, nearly half of the world’s energy consumption will come from these regions, increasingly prioritising energy effi ciency to meet climate goals and improve energy security. Asia: Leaders in Energy Effi ciency China and India are leading the way and setting the pace in improving energy effi ciency, with both countries outpacing the global average. India expected a two-and-a-half percent improvement, while China aimed for a one-and- a-half percent improvement in 2024. In China, energy intensity improvements varied but reached up to seven percent in 2016. Both nations heavily invest in end-use sectors, with China’s 2023 investments exceeding USD 170 billion. India’s energy-saving initiatives, such as building energy codes, are set to reduce peak demand by 15 GW by 2030. Southeast Asia’s energy demand is expanding rapidly, driven by urbanisation and rising living standards. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have made strides in improving energy effi ciency, but the region still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Due to rising temperatures, air conditioner ownership in Indonesia is expected to increase signifi cantly by 2050, putting more pressure on energy resources. ASEAN countries aim for a collective 32% reduction in energy intensity by 2025, with nations like Vietnam and Thailand pushing forward clean energy initiatives. Europe: Challenges and Recovery Ukraine, on the other hand, faces a dire energy situation. With over half of its housing stock damaged by the ongoing confl ict, its energy demand challenges are immense. Before the invasion, 80% of Ukrainian buildings were energy ineffi cient, and less than one percent were being retrofi tted annually. However, programs like ENERGODIM are working to improve building effi ciency, and international support is crucial to accelerate these eff orts. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also provides technical expertise to help Ukraine enhance energy effi ciency. Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi is a great example of an energy efficient building South East Asian countries are increasingly investing in clean energy initiatives MEP_Mar2025_66-71_Energy Efficiency report_13546244.indd 7009/03/2025 18:35WHITEPAPER www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 71 www.mepmiddleeast.com and ineffi cient appliances, Southern Africa is taking eff orts to harmonise appliance energy performance standards and prohibit the importation and sale of used appliances to save signifi cant electricity. Latin America: Progress With Room To Grow Latin America has made progress but still lags in energy effi ciency compared to global standards. From 2010 to 2019, the region averaged just half a percent annual improvement, far below the global average of two percent. However, in 2022, Latin America saw an uptick in energy effi ciency, with a two-and-a-half percent improvement, and projections for 2024 indicate an increase in energy intensity. The region is investing heavily in clean energy, with an expected USD 185 billion in energy investment in 2024. Additionally, programs to replace ineffi cient appliances, like refrigerators, are gaining traction, with Brazil and Colombia leading the charge. Energy effi ciency is no longer a niche sector. It’s the future of construction and MEP engineering worldwide. While global progress on energy effi ciency is uneven, with strong government support, rising investment in smart buildings, and increasing regulatory pressure, companies can adapt to this transformation and lead the industry to achieve climate goals. Africa: Overcoming Unique Challenges In Africa, energy effi ciency is improving, but challenges remain. Africa’s average energy intensity improved by less than two percent annually between 2022 and 2024. Ethiopia aims for an eight percent annual improvement in energy effi ciency until 2050. While the region faces unique hurdles, such as the dominance of second-hand markets While Southeast Asia is leading in energy efficiency, Ukraine faces a dire energy situation Our water heaters are Built to be the Best® and deliver the power, efficiency, and performance to satisfy even the most demanding applications. American Quality. Proven Performance. Learn more today. Contact us at international@bradfordwhite.com or visit bradfordwhite.com ©2025, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved. BWMEP0125 150-2,500 GALLONS 80 GALLONS 80 GALLONS MEP_Mar2025_66-71_Energy Efficiency report_13546244.indd 7109/03/2025 18:36OPINION www.mepmiddleeast.com 72 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com DRIVING DIVERSITY IN MEP By Dr Rana El-Dabaa, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Heriot-Watt University Dubai The MEP industry holds great signifi cance in infrastructure development, playing a crucial role in shaping the built environment. As the sector evolves, challenges and opportunities associated with equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) must be acknowledged and addressed. UNESCO reports that women make up only 35 per cent of STEM students in higher education globally. However, in the MENA region, 57 per cent of STEM graduates are women, increasing to 61 per cent in the UAE. These numbers highlight the region’s progress toward gender equality and its recognition for women’s contributions to economic growth and social development. While progress has been made, the industry still faces barriers that hinder equitable representation and inclusive work environments. Balancing EDI in the MEP sector requires a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, cultural shifts, and active engagement from industry stakeholders. The MEP industry has traditionally been male-dominated, with a lack of representation from women and minority groups. The physical nature of many roles, coupled with historical biases, has contributed to the underrepresentation of diverse professionals. However, making the industry more inclusive is not just a moral obligation; rather, it can off er tangible business benefi ts. THE BUSINESS CASE FOR INCLUSIVITY IN MEP Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, which can drive innovation and enhance MEP_Mar2025_72-73_Op-ed Rana_13522393.indd 7207/03/2025 15:09OPINION www.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2025 | MEP Middle East 73 www.mepmiddleeast.com Dr Rana El-Dabaa, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Heriot-Watt University Dubai Diverse teams bring varied perspectives which can drive innovation in workplace problem-solving capabilities. By encouraging inclusivity, fi rms can unlock creative solutions to complex engineering challenges. Moreover, inclusive work environments promote employee satisfaction and engagement, increasing effi ciency and productivity. The construction and MEP sectors also face ongoing labour shortages. Embracing diversity can expand the talent pool, making the industry more attractive to underrepresented groups. ADDRESSING THE BARRIERS: CULTURE, BIAS, AND POLICY GAPS Women account for a small fraction of the global MEP workforce due to workplace culture, biased hiring practices, and lacking female role models. Societal perceptions regarding physically demanding roles in construction and engineering further discourage their participation. Similarly, ethnic and racial minorities often face recruitment barriers, limited career progression, and workplace exclusion, aggravated by the absence of structured support initiatives, leading to retention challenges. Unconscious bias in hiring, promotions, and daily interactions continues to be a signifi cant issue, with insuffi cient training on inclusivity further perpetuating inequalities. Additionally, many workplaces lack inclusive policies such as fl exible working arrangements, gender-neutral facilities, and mentorship programmes, making diversity eff orts superfi cial and ineff ective. Inclusivity in workplaces begins from the planning till the delivery of a project to support the diversity in people’s needs. STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS FOR BUILDING INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES Strategic interventions are required to balance equality, diversity, and inclusion in the MEP industry. Organisations must adopt inclusive hiring practices by implementing bias-free recruitment processes, engaging diverse hiring panels, and creating partnerships with higher education institutions and technical institutions to attract a broader talent pool. Cultivating an inclusive workplace culture through unconscious bias training and visible leadership commitment can nurture diversity. Supporting career development for underrepresented groups through mentorship, sponsorship, and scholarship programmes can bridge gaps in representation. Strengthening policy frameworks and industry regulations, including mandated diversity reporting and accountability metrics, can drive long-term progress. By implementing these measures, the sector can create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce, and benefi t the industry’s overall growth. As the MEP industry evolves, achieving a balance in EDI will require sustained eff orts and collective action from all stakeholders. Companies must recognise that diversity and inclusion are not merely HR initiatives but fundamental business strategies that drive long- term success. Several key trends are shaping the future of EDI in the sector, including advancements in technology and automation, which are reducing reliance on physically demanding tasks and allowing a more diverse talent pool to enter industry. Additionally, growing government regulations are mandating EDI compliance and compelling organisations to implement meaningful changes. Moreover, a generational shift is underway, with younger professionals prioritising inclusivity, pushing companies to modernise their policies and create more unbiased workplaces. By embracing these trends, the MEP industry can develop and nurture a more diverse, innovative, and resilient workforce. MEP_Mar2025_72-73_Op-ed Rana_13522393.indd 7307/03/2025 15:09PARTNER CONTENT www.mepmiddleeast.com 74 MEP Middle East | March 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com CANTON FAIR 2025 TO SHOWCASE GLOBAL TRADE OPPORTUNITIES 28,000+ Exhibitors who will be showcasing over one million new products at the fair The China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, is the world’s largest expo by scale. Its 137th edition will take place from April 15 to May 5, 2025, in Guangzhou, China, covering an exhibition area of 1.55 million square metres. The event will host 28,000+ exhibitors, showcasing over one million new products, half of which are designed as green solutions with low carbon emissions in both production and usage. The MEP-related exhibition areas will be featured in Phase One (April 15-19 2025), with more than 5,000 booths displaying cutting-edge products across sectors such as Industrial Automation & Intelligent Manufacturing, Processing Machinery & Equipment, Power Machinery & Electric Power, General Machinery & Mechanical Basic Parts, Construction Machinery, Information Products, New Energy Vehicles & Smart Mobility, Vehicles & Spare Parts, Lighting Equipment, Electronic & Electrical Products, New Energy Resources, Hardware & Tools, and more. At the last edition, the number of buyers from Middle Eastern countries saw the highest growth, reaching 34,000, a 32.6% increase compared to the previous session. Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. As China’s longest-running and most comprehensive international trade event, it is widely regarded as a barometer of the country’s foreign trade. To know more and register for Canton Fair: The 137th Canton Fair, running from April 15 to May 5, 2025, in Guangzhou, China, will focus on green and high-tech innovations across key industries MEP_Mar2025_74_Event_13547502.indd 7407/03/2025 15:10Connect With Us! AHRI is the leading international advocate for HVACR and water heating equipment manufacturers. through the adoption of our world-renowned standards and certification programs. AHRI leverages expert teams across five continents to strengthen the fabric of our industry. Trust us to provide turnkey solutions that make life better for all. Learn more at www.ahrinet.org AHRIcommunicationsAHRI Untitled-2 107/03/2025 15:12Next >