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A delegation of prominent leaders from the Gulf region’s real estate sector visited the Netherlands as part of the Climate Neutral Real Estate programme, with a shared vision for leadership for net zero in desert climates.

During their three-day visit, the delegation explored various development projects, technology companies, and advanced energy and water systems in Zeeland, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Amsterdam to discover innovative solutions and collaboration opportunities.

Highlights included:

Delta Works: Emphasised the importance of mitigating climate change and sea level rise.

PureBlue Water: Showcased the advantages of decentralised water treatment.

Deltares: Demonstrated the potential of underground aquifer thermal energy storage and flood protection.

Priva: Illustrated the positive climate impact of next-generation building management systems.

Signify: Revealed vast possibilities of advanced lighting solutions.

Eindhoven University of Technology: Offered partnership opportunities in advanced modeling, metal fuels, livable outdoor spaces, and 3D concrete printing of buildings.

In Amsterdam, the delegation was welcomed by developer Being at Mediavaert, one of Europe’s largest hybrid timber offices, recently delivered to DPG Media Nederland. Along with the Schiphol Area Development Company N.V., discussions focused on socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship in real estate development. They also an in-depth visit in Amsterdam to the stunning and forward-looking project Valley of architect MVRDV.

The delegation observed cutting-edge solutions and advancements in climate-neutral building techniques, sharing experiences and insights on adapting these technologies to the Gulf region’s unique climatic conditions.

A high-level delegation from the Climate Neutral Real Estate consortium has visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in  early June 2024 to share their vision, collaborate, and work on joint projects aimed at achieving net-zero buildings. The consortium, an alliance dedicated to creating climate-neutral buildings, is spearheading an initiative to transform real estate operations and construction towards sustainability. The visit served as a follow-up on the COP28 climate conference.

Climate Neutral Real Estate is a forward-thinking alliance with a clear mission: to realise net-zero buildings, beginning with operational emissions and subsequently encompassing the environmental impact of construction materials. During their visit, the consortium engaged with UAE stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions and strategies. They aim to foster awareness within the financial sector, emphasising the development of new corporate finance solutions that capitalise on the increased value of certified sustainable real estate assets.

On the first day, the delegation visited major developers in Dubai, including Dubai Holding, Nakheel, Emaar, and Majid Al Futtaim. The second day in Abu Dhabi featured executive meetings with Masdar City and Aldar Properties. The third day saw the delegation visit the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) emirate, where they met with RAK Municipality to discuss enhancing the RAK Energy Efficiency and Renewable Strategy 2040, leveraging expertise from the Netherlands. During this visit, the consortium also engaged with key developers such as Marjan, Al Hamra, and RAK Properties, as well as representatives from the RAKEZ free zone. The day concluded with a session with the Emirates Green Building Council and a network reception for like-minded executives and professionals in the UAE.

The delegation’s visit culminated with contributions from various delegates in panel discussions at The Engineering & Sustainability Summit (TESS) 2024, organised by The Hotel Show Dubai.

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between the Netherlands and the UAE, highlighting a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation in the real estate sector. The collaboration is expected to result in groundbreaking projects that set new standards for climate-neutral construction and operation, ultimately contributing to global environmental goals.

The Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region programme is a public-private partnership between the Dutch Government and knowledge institutes, technology companies, and technology providers. The programme focuses on adapting and implementing net-zero building solutions specifically for desert climates, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman being the primary target countries.

The visit was organised in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dubai, and the Climate Neutral Real Estate programme.

A delegation for Climate Neutral Real Estate partners visited the Big5 Construct in Riyadh in February 2024. The yearly exhibition unites many international players working to implement Saudi’s Vision 2030 for community housing, villa developments and truly iconic projects initiated by the Public Investment Fund. Sustainable real estate development has more attention than ever. New standards are developed and implemented, like Mustadam, and sustainability professionals share their expertise in new associations, like the Sustainability Professionals of Saudi Arabia (SPSA).

Leaders in the industry share the ambition to create net zero buildings in the difficult desert climate, to mitigate the climate emergency in the country and develop inspiring examples for the future applicable in many other regions. The Climate Neutral Real Estate consortium liaised with large developers in the country to establish leadership for net zero in desert climates. Climate neutrality for the built environment is a key element to create and enhance liveable cities in the region and beyond.

Besides the presence at the Big5 Construct, the delegation visited the headquarters of large developers tasked with the implementation of projects across the country, for affordable housing, higher-end villa communities, sports facilities, entertainment facilities, iconic high-rises and business districts. The challenge includes Climate Neutral Real Estate technologies like building-integrated-photo-voltaic (BIPV), new cooling technologies, smart systems with data collections and AI applications, entire new concepts for water and energy on unit and community level, as well as enhanced aesthetics, functionality and health & well-being.

The Climate Neutral Real Estate (CNRE) Programme was launched in the Gulf Region at the 28th session of the annual United Nations climate summit – COP 28. The event, organized in cooperation with the Emirates Environmental Group and Knauf Insulation, which took place at the Slovenia Business Centre at the Expo City in Dubai and brought together over 80 government officials – including HE Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht and HE Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam – knowledge institutions and industry representatives from the Netherlands, UAE, KSA and Oman.

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) was delighted to be part of this holistic discussion. EEG Chairperson Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi stated, “It is very enriching to see entities from various sectors and parts of the world converging at one location to share best practices and the latest news in the built environment. It is only through such a unified approach to tackle climate change issues that we can actually implement adaptation and mitigation strategies that will drive the change towards net zero. The session was truly remarkable and had positive outcomes, gaining valuable perspectives from the diverse speakers that were present at the event”.

 The roundtable discussions elaborated on leading technologies in the different disciplines such as net zero architecture, retrofitting, solar technology, building automation and AI, sustainable cooling and water for the built environment, as well as accountability. By means of this gathering the CNRE programme strives for collaboration between the Netherlands, UAE, KSA and Oman in order to achieve a higher climate performance. Solving global challenges together contributes to synergies on this important theme in the framework of COP28 and beyond, accelerating sustainable impact.

“Many of the challenges we currently face come together in urban environments – addressing the water-energy-food nexus will be crucial to create sustainable and resilient cities. Circular and nature- based solutions offer key innovations in this context, which bring benefits from both an environmental, climate as well as socio-economic point of view. That is why I’m very happy to have joined the regional launch of the Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region Programme, which holds large potential to contribute to sustainable urban environments “ stated Afke van Rijn, Director-General for the Environment and International Affairs at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands.

Real estate in the region has developed at a breathtaking pace, often with horizons for durability only spanning a few decades. Many buildings are up for a retrofit. The perfect opportunity presents itself to reduce the large energy and water footprint associated with these buildings. Construction materials have gone through an evolution as well.

Photos by: SeeingThings Photography & Film

The CNRE Gulf Region programme is a public-private partnership between the Dutch Government and knowledge institutes, technology companies and technology providers. This programme aims to enable real estate to become climate neutral in energy supply.

For more information about the CNRE, please consult: Climate Neutral Real Estate – Dutch Energ Solutions (dutch-energysolutions.nl)

About the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai, represent, support and protects the interests of the Dutch government in the United Arab Emirates. They provide services to Dutch nationals who live, work, travel or do business in the UAE. There are approximately 7500 Dutch residents and over 300 Dutch businesses active in the UAE. Including FDI, the total value of bilateral trade between the Netherlands and the UAE totals € 8 billion (AED 32 billion). The Kingdom of the Netherlands’ focus sectors in the UAE are agri-food, water, energy, and healthcare.

For more information, please visit www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/united-arab-emirates. You can also email dba-ea@minbuza.nl for Dubai and/or abu-ea@minbuza.nl for Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a professional working group established in 1991 in the United Arab Emirates. It is devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. EEG is actively encouraged and supported by concerned local and federal government agencies. It is the first environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). EEG is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Global Urban Development (GUD) and the Global Investors for Sustainable Alliance (GISD). It is also a member of the One Planet Network under the programme of Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and its Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) and Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), EEG is a full Member (voting) of World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

For more information please visit: www.eeg-uae.org

Knauf Insulation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of insulation products and solutions. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we represent one of the fastest growing and most respected names in insulation worldwide.

For more information please visit: www.knaufinsulation.com

The cluster, which now consists of 18 companies and knowledge institutions led by Dutch Energy Solutions, signed a PIB cooperation agreement with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on September 29, 2023, prior to the Gulf Business Dialogue in the Old Library in Delft. ‘Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region’, as the cluster is fully called, is an alliance that aims to achieve net-zero buildings, first during operations, and also addressing and later including the emission impact of construction materials. Climate neutral buildings require a redesign of building integrated photovoltaics (PV), the cooling system, smart monitoring, electricity system, the water system as well as architecture aesthetics, functionality and well-being. The Climate Neutral Real Estate alliance fosters awareness in the financial sector to develop new corporate finance solutions based on increased value of certified real estate assets.

Countries in the Gulf Region have far-reaching ambitions to make existing and new buildings more climate-neutral in order to significantly reduce emissions. The region is experiencing rising temperatures and droughts due to climate change. The countries therefore benefit from new designs that aim for net-zero and smart solutions in the areas of energy, water and IT to make the construction sector more sustainable and are also prepared to invest in this.

The Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region programme is a public-private partnership between the Dutch Government and knowledge institutes, technology companies and technology providers. The aim is working towards net-zero buildings in desert climates. The focus countries are: UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region

The cluster consists of the companies:

Customized Energy Systems, EigenEnergie.net, European Solar, EFP International/European Facade Products, Hans Moor Architects, Energyra Europe, Exasun, Holland Water Global, IndoorAirQ, MVRDV Architects, Priva Building Automation, PureBlue Water, Signify Netherlands, Solarus Smart Energy Solutions , Witteveen+Bos and ZigzagSolar.

Participating knowledge institutions are:

Deltares, TU/e ​​EIRES (Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems)

Want to know more about sustainable construction in the Gulf region?

The Climate Neutral Real Estate Gulf Region cluster aims to offer the most complete range of products and services possible in the focus countries. Are you active in the field of sustainable construction and interested in opportunities for your company in the Gulf region? Then register for an interview with the cluster coordinator:

Pamela Shehu, Dutch Energy Solutions
E: pshehu@einenterprise.com

Missions, fairs and matchmaking

Within the PIB cluster, activities are organized such as trade missions, trade fair participation, incoming visits from key figures in the Gulf region and matchmaking. Several liaisons are appointed to represent the sector locally. The Dutch embassy network involves the embassies in Riyadh, Muscat and the consulate in Dubai and will actively support the program.

Do you want to know more?

RVO implements the PIB program on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Would you like to know more about this cluster? Please contact:

Daniel Sonneveldt, RVO program manager
E: daniel.sonneveldt1@rvo.nl