On The Path towards Sustainable Construction—The Case of the United Arab Emirates: A Review

Abstract

The construction sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expanding substantially due to many variables, including strong economic growth, a swiftly growing population, and continuous modernization endeavors. As a result, the development of the construction industry is leading to adverse impacts on energy consumption and environmental conditions. The UAE government and policymakers have implemented significant initiatives to advance sustainable infrastructure, promote clean energy utilization, effectively manage construction and demolition waste (CDW), and foster green building development. These measures follow the nation’s dedication to the Paris Agreement, which aims to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The article comprehensively examines the policies and practices implemented in this industrialized nation concerning sustainable construction. Moreover, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the UAE in comparison to other countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concerning their accomplishments in sustainability. Additionally, the study seeks to integrate insights from the global community regarding sustainability policies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the effective management of CDW, and the implementation of green regulations that govern environmentally conscious construction practices. A comprehensive analysis of information sources from official websites, particularly those of the ministry and key government agencies, is conducted to better understand the current sustainability policies and treatment methods related to the management of CDW and green building regulations.

Reuse of Steel Residue in Polypropylene Matrices for the Production of Plastic Wood, Aiming at Decarbonization

“…Among the main emission sources in this sector, the final disposal of waste in landfills and other forms of disposal stands out, contributing to 34% of the total emissions from the waste segment [5]. In this context, to adopt decarbonization, it becomes essential to implement waste management strategies that avoid final disposal and incineration [6].…”

“…The Fluff is a residue composed of a large amoun of polymers and volatile materials, extremely heterogeneous, which complicates its sort ing and recycling. Its use as fuel is often hindered by the presence of chlorine, which when burned, can result in the emission of dioxins and furans, substances harmful to health and the environment [6,[12][13][14].…”

“…In this context, new alternatives for the use and sustainable disposal of these residues have been constantly sought [8,15,17], since the disposal of this waste in landfills results in the emission of greenhouse gases [6,14]. A promising approach to utilize Fluff without the need for the sorting and separation of materials is to consider its incorporation into polymeric matrices for the production of wood-plastic composites.…”

Mineral powder based on basalt insulation waste for asphalt concrete

“…In the pursuit of sustainable and green construction, the integration of recycled and waste materials has become the centerpiece of innovation [4][5][6][7]. One such pioneering development is the use of waste-derived mineral powder in the production of asphalt concrete.…”