Technology Costs as a Barrier to Energy and Water Efficiency in the Commercial Sector of the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

• Technology cost is perceived to be a primary barrier to the adoption of high-efficiency technologies and practices in the UAE.• A contributing factor is the lack of accurate information on the full range, life-cycle costs, and benefits of high-efficiency products.• Implementing more stringent codes and standards would help drive demand, stimulate the market for more efficient equipment, and lower costs.• Enforcing existing standards would help eliminate poor-quality and inefficient products from the market and change the perception that efficient technologies are too expensive.• Low tariffs and their associated high subsidies distort the costbenefit evaluation of efficient technologies.• Additional research is needed to understand better to what extent and why technology costs are perceived as such a significant barrier.• The government can play a greater role in promoting energy and water technology adoption. This will also require cooperation from the private sector to advance initiatives and ensure their implementation.