As we begin 2025 with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the UAE reflects on a transformative year for sustainability. The success of COP28 in 2023 provided the region with a global platform to demonstrate its leadership in climate action, reinforcing its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions under the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week continues this momentum, serving as a catalyst for addressing the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, while inspiring innovation across multiple sectors to drive transformative environmental practices. Among these, the construction industry stands out as one of the most resource intensive – and positioned for substantial advancements in sustainability.
A recent PWC report projects that GCC countries will invest US$2 trillion in construction projects by 2035. This presents a unique opportunity for the UAE and wider region to lead in pioneering sustainable construction practices globally, setting benchmarks for environmental responsibility.
The urgency is clear: in 2023, the building sector accounted for 30% of global energy use and 26% of CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. In response, the region has embraced net-zero ambitions. For example – Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City exemplifies sustainability, as they pioneer a sustainable urban community, completing the region’s first net-zero energy commercial building – NZ1, in 2023. They also have plans to unveil the world’s first net-zero mosque later in 2025. Saudi Arabia’s NEOM takes this further, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as green hydrogen and vertical farming into its blueprint – as well as using eco-friendly materials during construction.
Building Momentum Through Innovation
Sustainability has emerged as a defining trend in shaping the region’s construction industry. According to a survey commissioned by Versatile International, the region’s first fully integrated Stone Project Management Consultancy, 55% of construction professionals, surveyed in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, identified sustainability as the most influential factor shaping the sector.
The research also highlights the importance of incorporating sustainability from the outset of planning, with 83% of developers identifying sustainability as the top trend shaping the future of construction in the region – significantly more than architects and engineers, contractors, or project management consultants. This signals a broader transformation in the end-to-end construction process, highlighting a shift toward integrating sustainability from the start of the project. Developers at the foundational level are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly design, materials, and planning, influencing the entire lifecycle of projects. Indeed, according to the Green Building Council – the UAE has been ranked among the top 10 countries that hold LEED certifications globally – exemplifying the importance placed on green building certifications from the outset.
Overcoming Challenges Through Strategic Planning
Whilst the surge in innovation is promising, it does not come without its challenges.
For example, Masdar City’s upcoming project pipeline, with an investment cost ranging between AED3-4 billion, highlights the importance of strategic material sourcing, incorporating the right design, and leveraging construction expertise from the outset to ensure successful implementation. Projects of this scale must balance environmental goals with financial constraints, making careful selection of materials a foundation for success.
This is where the value of Versatile International truly stands out. By providing end-to-end project governance, the right materials are sourced right from the design phase, ensuring that sustainability and cost-efficiency are integrated from the outset. This approach has delivered tangible results, such as a 28% reduction in project costs for large-scale developments while maintaining rigorous environmental standards.
The Diriyah Gate project in Saudi Arabia exemplifies this balance. By optimising the stone management process and minimising waste through early state decision-making, Versatile International has contributed to the ongoing success of the one of the region’s most iconic cultural developments currently being developed.
By utilising this approach, it greatly reduces the need for rework, a common industry challenge where elements of a project must be redone due to errors or changes. Addressing these issues after they arise is costly, with research indicating that roughly 30% of global construction budgets is spent on rework. Rework also has a significant sustainability impact, as it often leads to wasted materials and energy. Through careful planning and strategic execution, these risks can be significantly minimised, ensuring smoother project delivery and a lower environmental footprint.
Opportunities for the Gulf
With the GCC set to invest trillions of dollars in construction, there are substantial opportunities for sustainable innovation. From pioneering green technologies to creating energy-efficient infrastructure, the region can set a new standard for the construction industry worldwide.
The construction sector is at a critical juncture. With Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as a backdrop, the region has an unparalleled opportunity to redefine the global narrative on sustainable construction. By embracing innovation, encouraging collaboration, and prioritizing environmental responsibility, the region can set a new benchmark for the industry.
By: Marco Fahd, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO at Versatile International, the region’s first fully integrated Stone Project Management Consultancy.