“We are committed to seizing the opportunity to cement our leadership on climate change within our region…to drive development, growth and new jobs as we pivot our economy and nation to net zero," says HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. "With an investment of over AED600 billion (approx. $136 billion) in renewable energy, our vision for a clean future is clear.”
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is Championing Sustainability
The DWTC is championing a range of resource and energy optimization measures. These include the extensive installation of solar panels on the facility’s roof and a drive to reduce energy by using LED lights and electric vehicles. Water-saving taps, optimized waste management through organic composting and working with the Dubai Food Bank are some additional sustainability initiatives.
Net Zero by 2050
Dubai reduced its carbon emissions by 21 percent in 2021 as part of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park plays an important part by producing clean energy. The largest single-site solar park globally, developments are ongoing to provide the world’s largest global thermal storage capacity. In collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy, the Green Hydrogen project is another first in the region.
Pioneering Initiatives
Alongside these large infrastructure projects, other pioneering initiatives across the city include desert conservation reserves, eco-hotels and sustainable restaurateurs, cultural pursuits and eco-tourism attractions to promote environmental conservation and sustainability across the tourism ecosystem. The Dubai Can Initiative aims to turn the tide on plastic and inspire mass action to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles and includes drinking water fountains placed across the city.
Meanwhile, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is committed to contributing to the broader clean energy and sustainable development targets that Dubai has set out to achieve. Its wider Dubai Sustainable Tourism initiative was established to directly address the tourism sector’s sustainability through the following four pillars: programs, education, standards and awards.
COP28 at Expo City Dubai
Taking place at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai next year, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) is expected to welcome more than 45,000 participants daily, including heads of state, government officials, scholars and experts, representing a vital moment as the world seeks to maximize progress since the Paris Agreement.
Says Steen Jakobsen, associate vice president, Dubai Business Events: “The UAE’s hosting of COP28 will be an important step in the country’s sustainability journey, and the fact that it will take place at Expo City Dubai further underlines the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai, which had sustainability as one of its key sub-themes. As with any major event the city hosts, Dubai will provide the ideal platform for bringing together experts and leaders from around the world for critical discussions.”
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For details on hosting events in Dubai, contact: askdbe@dubaidet.ae or visit Dubai Business Events.