The guide is aimed at helping stakeholders identify measures that can improve the environmental and operational performance of existing buildings, while balancing sustainability objectives with economic and investment considerations.

Rather than focusing solely on new construction, the guidance addresses the sustainability potential of Dubai’s existing building stock. It provides recommendations for retrofit and improvement projects, with an emphasis on reducing energy and water consumption, limiting the use of natural resources, cutting carbon emissions and reducing operational waste.

The guide also highlights engineering solutions that can improve the efficiency of building systems and potentially reduce operating and maintenance costs over the medium and long term. By considering building performance across the asset lifecycle, the framework is intended to support more informed decisions around upgrades and maintenance.

Indoor environmental quality is another area covered by the guide, with measures designed to improve occupant comfort and health while supporting the functional performance of buildings. For building owners and operators, such improvements can also contribute to maintaining the long-term operational and economic value of real estate assets.

Eng. Maryam Obaid Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the guide forms part of the Municipality’s efforts to support the development of a more sustainable and resource-efficient built environment.

“The guide provides building owners and operators with a practical framework to improve energy and water efficiency, reduce emissions and operating and maintenance costs, and enhance indoor environmental quality,” she said.

Al Muhairi added that improving the sustainability performance of existing buildings can strengthen the long-term value and performance of real estate assets while supporting Dubai’s wider sustainability and quality-of-life objectives.

For facilities management teams, the guide could have implications beyond engineering and building systems. Areas such as water management, waste reduction, cleaning operations, consumables, indoor environmental quality and maintenance practices can all influence the day-to-day sustainability performance of an existing building.

The guide forms part of Dubai Municipality’s broader sustainability and green-building framework and provides consultants, engineers, building owners and operators with a reference for applying sustainability measures in line with approved standards and government policies.

The Existing Buildings Greening Guide is available through the Dubai Municipality website.