Gulf Construction Online - UN body adopts Masdar method

UAE Focus

UN body adopts Masdar method

01 July 2011

A METHODOLOGY for identifying energy efficiency in buildings, developed in Abu Dhabi by Masdar Carbon, has now been formally adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

A first for the GCC region, the new methodology by Masdar Carbon – one of the five integrated units of Masdar – enables organisations to monitor emission reduction from new buildings (large scale) under UNFCCC and potentially claim carbon credits under the clean development mechanism (CDM) process.

Masdar Carbon’s methodology, the first large-scale system in the world for emission reduction credits in the construction sector, provides the guidelines for determining the baseline emissions from a building and monitoring energy efficiency improvements. It is also the first time the construction sector has been covered under the CDM scheme.

Project developers worldwide can utilise this methodology and potentially claim additional revenue streams from the sale of carbon credits leading to an increase of financial returns in these developments in a bid to promote green building initiatives.

Work on the entire process started in 2009 and Masdar Carbon closely worked with the UNFCCC methodology panel to lead the approval process to success.

Bader Saeed Al Lamki, associate director, Masdar Carbon, said: “According to industry statistics, the construction sector is responsible for around 40 per cent for global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

However, lack of an appropriate large-scale methodology has so far failed to incentivise energy efficiency measures in this sector. Now, Masdar Carbon’s new methodology will enable removal of such barriers for implementation of energy-efficient projects in this sector.”