What is Estidama Pearl?
Estidama Pearl is the Pearl Rating System, Abu Dhabi's sustainability rating framework for buildings, villas and communities under the Estidama program. Projects earn from one to five Pearls for design and construction performance across water, energy, materials, livability and integrated development.
What it is
Estidama, meaning sustainability in Arabic, is Abu Dhabi's program for sustainable development. The Pearl Rating System applies it to individual projects, with separate versions for buildings, villas and communities.
A minimum rating of one Pearl is required for new developments in Abu Dhabi, and government funded buildings are required to achieve a higher level. Credits reward reduced water demand, energy efficiency, metering and monitoring, and other measures. Check the current program rules for requirements that apply to your project.
Who it applies to / where it is used
Pearl ratings apply to new buildings and communities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Developers, architects, MEP engineers and Pearl Qualified Professionals use the framework during design and construction. Owners use the same water and energy measures in operation.
How it is measured / what evidence it needs
Ratings are assessed through design and construction submissions. Operational data shows whether the building performs as designed.
- Design stage water and energy calculations
- Metering and monitoring provisions specified in the design
- Construction stage evidence of installed systems
- Measured water and energy use after occupancy
How Aqueduct helps
Aqueduct supplies metered water and energy evidence for operational performance and for credits that depend on metering and monitoring.
- Sub-metered water balance through aQ WaterGuard, so demand reductions are measured
- Energy and cooling baselines through aQ EnergySmart
- Indoor air monitoring through aQ AirSafe for livability measures
- Specified-in metering and controls with MEP teams at design stage