Residential Projects

Dubai Firm Unveils World’s First Net Zero Carbon Building

The house will generate over 300% of its energy requirements.

Updated on

October 14, 2021

net zero building dubai — An impression of the net zero building. PHOTO | COURTESY

A Dubai property developer has unveiled plans for the world’s first net zero carbon building as the race to meet the United Nations’ target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 hots up.

Diamond Developers said the building, which will host SEE Institute – its sustainability research, development, and professional training subsidiary, will be located in Sustainable City 18 miles outside central Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Plans for the state-of-the-art building were made public at WETEX & Dubai Solar Show, an annual trade expo hosted by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority at Expo 2020.

The Sustainable City’s net zero carbon building will offset all its embodied carbon emissions from construction and interiors before operations, based on an offset scheme.

According to Diamond Developers, the building will generate more than 300% of its operational requirements through renewable energy sources such as solar and biogas.

Out of this, 100% of power will cover the building’s operational energy requirements, and 150% will offset emissions from commuting workers, water desalination, and consumable products.

The remaining 50% will help the building to become carbon positive, with the surplus energy exported to neighbouring buildings and facilities.

This will help Sustainable City to set a new precedent in transforming houses from being pollutant, energy consumers into environmentally friendly power generators.

“SEE Institute is the embodiment of our mission to spearhead the global movement towards sustainable knowledge and learning advancement, in line with the aspirations of the Paris Climate Agreement,” Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers said.

“It also paves the way for bringing the UN 2050 targets forward and achieving a Net Zero Carbon future today,” he added.

The 50,000-square-foot building will be completed in the next few months.

FAQ: What is a net zero-carbon building?

A net zero building is a structure designed to cut its carbon emissions, across its complete life cycle, to zero. The UN has set a 2050 global target for net zero carbon emissions.