DUBAI // The Emirates Green Building Council yesterday launched a service to make it easier for energy-efficient companies to find partners and potential customers.
The online database aims to connect energy consultants with contractors, equipment vendors, facility management companies, banks, insurance companies and other players in the sector.
Saeed Al Abbar, the council’s chairman, said the initiative was in response to growing interest in reducing energy use from the public and private sectors.
Reducing energy usage at buildings “is one of the most critical aspects of the UAE green economy vision”, said Mr Al Abbar.
Although regulators in Abu Dhabi and Dubai were aiming to improve the energy-efficiency of new buildings, improving the energy consumption of existing buildings would help significantly reduce energy demand, he said.
In Dubai there are about 120,000 buildings and most consume large amounts of energy. There are about 300,000 buildings across the UAE.
According to the council, there is growing recognition about the potential of retrofitting existing buildings to minimise energy usage.
“There has been huge progress in the past few years, particularly in Dubai,” said Mr Al Abbar.
In the emirate, the Regulatory and Supervision Bureau has launched an accreditation scheme for energy-services companies who often invest in retrofitting buildings, profiting from the subsequent savings.
To be sure, energy price rises in recent years have made retrofitting projects attractive for building owners and owners’ associations of buildings in freehold areas.
“We are seeing a huge number of buildings being retrofitted, and the market is growing exponentially,” said Mr Al Abbar.
He said the EmiratesGBC Energy Efficiency Programme would seek to facilitate collaboration between organisations in the sector, and it would offer networking opportunities and technical workshops.
The initiative is available only to council members, which comprise 150 companies and organisations.
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now