Energy-efficient strategies for net-zero buildings in the UAE: a climate-resilient blueprint

Abstract

From its Net-Zero 2050 strategic plan and United Nations Vision 2030 agenda, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dedicated itself to the sustainability of its built environment and energy, specifically the electrical consumption. Nevertheless, the major portion of the national electricity is consumed by buildings, and the major portion of this is consumed by cooling systems; there’s a need for energy-efficient approaches suited specifically to the region’s intensive climate. The current review addresses this need by establishing a comprehensive review of research conducted between 2013 and 2025 to evaluate and categorize energy-saving techniques for buildings in the hot-climate region with a special focus on the UAE. The strategies fall into four domains: (1) optimizing HVAC with 20 to 40% energy reductions by means of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, adaptive setpoints, and AI-based controls; (2) enhancing the building envelope with 15 to 48% reductions in cooling demand by means of phase change materials, high-reflectivity coatings, and high-quality insulation; (3) integration with renewable energy sources, specifically rooftop PV and hybrid systems, with up to 40% reductions in grid dependence; and (4) smart building technology in the form of IoT sensors, BIM-based digital twins, and predictive maintenance systems with an operational saving of 10 to 30%. This review highlights key knowledge gaps pertaining to small-scale real-world UAE validation, economic feasibility studies, and multi-strategy integrated frameworks. The current review concludes by suggesting a scaling-up roadmap for energy-efficient methods in accordance with national policy targets and providing actionable recommendations to researchers, developers, and policymakers in the hot-climate region.