Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's $11-billion national rail network, said it has been awarded the Estidama 2 Pearl rating by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) for seven sustainable buildings at its depot in Mirfa, Al Gharbia.

It is a significant achievement to receive 2 Pearls for seven individual buildings on one plot, said a statement from Etihad Rail.

Estidama is an initiative developed and promoted by the UPC for large-scale sustainable urban development. It seeks to promote thoughtful and responsible development through the creation of a balanced society based on four equal pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and cultural.

The Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a unique and mandatory rating system for sustainable design, construction and lifecycle operation for communities, buildings and villas in the Abu Dhabi emirate.

The Estidama 2 Pearl-rated Etihad Rail facilities range from maintenance buildings and operational facilities to administration and communications centres.  

The score is in recognition of the sustainability commitments made from the project design phase until final test and commissioning inclusive of the construction phase.

The achievements highlighted by the UPC include resourceful energy saving – including a 31 per cent energy saving at one of the administration facilities – and water-saving initiatives, resulting in more than 10 per cent reduction in potable water consumption for all the buildings surveyed.

In addition, the project exceeded the minimum recycling target, with more than 80 per cent of non-hazardous demolition and construction waste collected, transported and disposed to reduce the long-term environmental impacts.

According to Etihad Rail, the sustainability has been a core priority for the company since the very beginning. Its approach to sustainable development stems from the project’s fundamental intent to prosper as a business while meeting the energy needs of present and future generations.

On the ratings, CEO Faris Saif Al Mazrouei said: "Etihad Rail is committed to environmental sustainability and to supporting Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. We are very proud to say that our commitment and efforts have led to Etihad Rail attaining the 2 Pearl rating for seven buildings at our Mirfa depot."

“Sustainability is and has always been a key consideration at every stage of Etihad Rail development, with the goal of our project becoming a regional leader in sustainable infrastructure and transport design, construction and operations,” he stated.

Falah Al Ahbabi, the director general, UPC, said: "Etihad Rail is a critical component in achieving the urban growth as per Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. It will provide a comprehensive network across Abu Dhabi, the wider UAE and eventually the GCC region, providing a sustainable transit solution for passengers and freight."

"The UPC is very pleased to award 2 Pearls to these seven buildings. This collaboration reflects the strategic relationship between UPC and Etihad Rail, which began at the very early stages of its establishment. We look forward to working with Etihad Rail on all relevant fields to achieve Abu Dhabi’s urban vision," he added.-TradeArabia News Service