Estidama, which means sustainability in Arabic, aims to devise guidelines and regulations for sustainable design, operation and maintenance of all types of buildings and communities. The first phase of the programme included the identification of a set of design guidelines for residential and commercial new buildings. The guidelines focus on ten key elements that include water; energy use; pollution and transport.

The next stage of the programme will involve turning the guidelines into regulations. UK-based Mott Macdonald assisted the Environment Agency develop the guidelines.