Dubai Chamber examines impact of Covid-19 on green building practices

Dubai Chamber‘s Task Force on Green Buildings recently organised a webinar, which examined the impact of Covid-19 on green bulding practices, and highlighted key benefits and improvements related to retrofitting commercial buildings.

Case studies shared by members of the task force demonstrated how companies can implement innovative solutions within their offices to improve the health and wellbeing of employees. Presentations also looked at the future of the retrofitting market in Dubai.

Faisal Rashid, Senior Director Demand Side Management (DSM) at Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, noted that the House of DSM brings together various programmes and entities that implement the government goal to achieve 30 per cent of electricity and water savings by 2030. Retrofitting of buildings is an investment that helps in achieving more efficient buildings that consume less resources, Rashid said, adding that there are policies in place that regulate energy demand.

Vibhor Bhatnagar, Senior Engineer Energy Sustainability and Technical Services at Serco Middle East, shed the light on several global examples that emphasise the importance of proper social distancing and ventilation in order to eliminate the possibility of virus transmission in buildings.

In a presentation conducted along with Iterum and Intertek, Tim Sephton, Managing Partner at Iterum, Michael Horne, Principal Microbiologist and John Downey, Regional Manager Building Sciences at Intertek, discussed research findings that underlined the importance of maintaining surface hygiene and adequate air quality to make sure Covid-19 transmissions do not occur inside a building.