The Sustainability pavilion, called Terra, an Enoc service station and the UAE and Saudi pavilions are among seven structures at Expo 2020 Dubai that earned the highest rating in a global green index.
The Rove hotel and two other buildings that encircle Al Wasl dome, the 360-degree projection screen, also gained the top rating under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or Leed, a widely recognised system that measures cost-saving sustainable architecture.
All of these things affect me as a person who will be in this building - the air I breathe, my comfort level, the light pollution
Dina Storey,
director of Expo’s sustainability operations
Dina Storey, director of Expo’s sustainability operations, said that as the UAE moves to achieve 2050 net zero goals, the ratings would boost people’s understanding of green energy targets.
“These seven buildings are 33 per cent more efficient in terms of energy and about 50 per cent more efficient in terms of water consumption,” she told The National.
“What we are doing at Expo is a pilot for what can be done around the Dubai and also around the UAE and the region.”
A total of 121 permanent buildings received the Leed certification from the US Green Building Council, the non-profit organisation that created and developed the rating.
The council gave 103 buildings a gold rating, nine were given silver and two others were certified, Expo officials said on Sunday.
The Mobility Pavilion is among the structures rated gold, with other top-scoring buildings in the thematic districts of sustainability, opportunity and in the Expo Village.
The ratings are important because 80 per cent of the site will become part of District 2020, a residential and business neighbourhood, once the Expo ends in March.
“The efficiency will be great value for tenants and can save a lot of money for the people who will be living and working here in the future,” Ms Storey said.
The goal extends beyond a certificate and centres on influencing attitudes to gauge a structure’s “sustainability value”.
“There is a social aspect to it as people will have the advantage of having better filtration systems, meaning the air inside the building is healthier,” she said.
“It will be cooler when everywhere outside is warm with not much energy usage. All of these things affect me as a person who will be in this building - the air I breathe, my comfort level, the light pollution. All these aspects are included in this holistic certification that puts the well-being of the person inhabiting it at the centre of the equation.”
Buildings are given points and the score increases based on several elements from materials used, architecture that provides for shade and cooling, low consumption of water and energy and indoor air quality.
Sourcing construction materials locally can reduce carbon emissions. UV-resistant window glass and shading structures built into the design reduce the heat generated by direct sunlight.
Water usage is lowered by reducing flow in the faucets and toilets. The wood used for construction is also certified to guarantee it does not come from an endangered area such as a rainforest.
Because Leed certifications are given only to permanent structures, dozens of country pavilions that use green technology are not covered by the rating.
Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, said this was part of efforts to host one of the most sustainable world expos in history and tied into the legacy for District 2020 as a model smart city of the future.
“Moulding the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the places we live, sustainability at Expo represents our commitment to making a tangible, positive impact at a local, regional and global level throughout our 182-day run and beyond,” he said.
Mr Al Khatib said it honoured the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to position the country as a “green economy” hub.
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, managing director, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Green Business Certification Inc, said it represented a commitment to making the world a better place.
“Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection in the Middle East and the central role buildings play in that effort, Expo 2020 Dubai is setting the intention for the entire region, and carving a path toward the sustainable future its citizens deserve,” he said.
Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Company%20Profile
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Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
