Green regulations will boost UAE property jobs

That's the view of Mick Dalton, General Manager at Abu Dhabi-based Marafeq Facilities Management, who is chairing the two-day Property & FM conference taking place alongside FM Expo, the Middle East's leading facilities management event.

'I believe FM will need better management to ensure sustainability goals are met, more technical staff to implement the next phase of green changes at existing buildings, and as many general staff to carry out routine maintenance tasks such as monitoring electricity consumption and optimising water usage,'

said Dalton, who is also past chairman of the British Institute of Facilities Management.

Dalton was commenting on fears that the regulations will result in job cuts as property owners attempt to cut costs to pay for the additional up front and extra ongoing expenses to maintain a green building. Dewa's regulations include the installation of low energy light bulbs, solar panels, energy saving modules for air conditioning units, low flow taps and dual flush water systems.

'Savings on utility bills alone can more than cover the installation and maintenance costs over a period of time and in that sense they are self financing. Indeed I believe it is essential that FM experts are consulted at the building design stage to increase the lifecycle of the building and present a better return on investment for the building owner,' stated Dalton.