CIBSE is supporting the Middle East’s transition to net-zero buildings by combining global engineering expertise with tailored regional guidance, skills development and industry collaboration. In a recent interview with MEED.com, CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter outlined the essential enablers needed to translate the region’s climate ambitions into measurable action.
Ruth highlighted three key factors for success: clear and consistent policy frameworks, a skilled workforce and strong collaboration across the built environment. She noted that while governments across the region are demonstrating strong leadership on sustainability, achieving net-zero buildings requires technically robust standards and reliable methods for measuring energy use and carbon performance.
Skills development is also central to this transition. With technologies and performance expectations evolving rapidly, engineers need ongoing access to high-quality training and up-to-date guidance. CIBSE provides this through its global technical standards, professional development and training programmes, and its work on initiatives such as the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), whose learning is now being shared internationally, including across MENA.
CIBSE has also delivered region-specific resources, such as the UAE adaptation of TM65 for embodied carbon, ensuring methodologies respond to local materials, supply chains and construction practices.
Ruth emphasised that achieving net zero at scale requires genuine collaboration across sectors. CIBSE plays a key role in connecting engineers, developers and policymakers and recently hosted a regional event in Dubai focused on advancing net-zero delivery.
She also highlighted the role of CIBSE’s new Skills Hub in London—part of the Building for the Future campaign—which will support global upskilling and provide engineers from around the world, including the Middle East, with access to state-of-the-art training and shared expertise.
“CIBSE’s mission is to combine global knowledge with local insight,” Ruth said. “By working closely with governments, academia and industry across MENA, we can help the region become a leader in sustainable, high-performance buildings.”
Read the full interview at MEED | Pushing boundaries in the journey to net zero