UAE Hotels produce doubel CO2 emissions compared to Europe, says leading FM company

UAE hotels produce double the CO2 emissions than their European counterparts, an issue which will be discussed at the Property and Facilities Management Conference in June.

Five-star hotels in the UAE are producing twice as much CO2 compared to similar hotels in Europe, according to an award-winning study on hotel carbon emissions.

The study, undertaken by Dubai-based facilities management company Farnek Avireal, found that on average, a 5-star hotel in Dubai produces 6,500 tonnes of CO2 annually, while a similar hotel in Europe produces only 3,000 tonnes a year.

Furthermore, Dubai hotels on average consume between 275 to 325kw/h of power per guest, compared to 100kw/h per guest in a similar hotel in Germany, a difference of 225 per cent.

Farnek Avireal will use FM Expo from 8-10 June in Dubai to drive home the message that while energy wastage is a big problem in the UAE, company’s can reduce energy consumption and achieve substantial cost savings with energy efficient cooling systems.

"The combined output of CO2 from Dubai’s 300 hotels is approximately 500,000kg," said Markus Avireal, the company’s general manager. "We estimate that hotels can save between 25 to 30 per cent of the current energy consumption by using energy efficient technology.

"This technology is particularly useful for properties in hot climates, where cooling systems are operated throughout most of the year and at high capacity during the summer months. And the potential energy savings apply to any type of building, from residential and commercial complexes to shopping centres, hotels and hospitals."

Energy management will be a key theme at FM Expo, which takes place at a time when awareness of energy management and environmental issues is growing across the Middle East, as business and property developers look for ways to achieve cost savings over a building’s lifecycle.

Organised by Streamline Marketing Group, FM Expo is the region’s only exhibition dedicated to facilities management. Taking place at Zabeel Hall in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the exhibition attracts leading companies from property management, energy management, environment, maintenance, IT, health and safety, and security in the Middle East, Europe and worldwide.

Agata Pawlik, Project Manager, Streamline Marketing Group said: "Energy and waste management, water conservation and sustainability are hot topics in the FM industry. The ongoing construction boom presents enormous opportunities for companies who specialise in total facilities management and this year’s FM Expo will highlight the growth areas within the market."

Running alongside FM Expo, the two day ‘Property and Facilities Management Conference’ covers the challenges and opportunities within the facilities management industry in the Middle East and will feature over 25 regional and international high-level speakers, including Markus Oberlin.

The new Supplier’s Zone, a dedicated section for suppliers of FM products and services, will provide property professionals with an opportunity to learn about the innovative FM solutions on the market, including technology to reduce energy and water consumption.

- Danielle Fanning, Total Communications Dubai, also photo -