Expo City Dubai a clean, green, human-centric city. Here’s why.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s pilot Food Rescue Programme served more than 93,000 meals to those in need, preserved 93 million litres of water and diverted approximately 90,000 kg of carbon dioxide. The implementation of this programme in the UAE prompted the exploration of a nationwide adaptation, which ultimately formed part of the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, Ne’ma.

Also noteworthy is the implementation of a carbon management programme where Expo 2020 Dubai adapted internationally recognised standards and guidelines to create a unique, fit-for-purpose methodology to estimate its carbon footprint. Expo 2020 Dubai also developed a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission inventory to monitor and report on changes in emissions covering both Expo and non-Expo ownership and control.

Embodying the principles of the circular economy also remains crucial for Expo City Dubai with several guidelines and requirements deployed within the organisation and across vendors, suppliers and contractors. These include the ‘RISE Guidelines for Sustainable Operations’, a set of sustainability criteria that supports environmental, social and ethical standards via appropriate certifications as well as the Sustainable Materials Guidelines which reduced negative environmental, social and economic impacts of all materials procured, incorporating parameters around embodied carbon content, recycling, responsible sourcing, regional procurement and health impact guidelines.

Importantly, Expo City Dubai’s growth strategy and carbon neutrality aspirations are aligned with Dubai and the UAE’s strategic plans and initiatives including the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and UAE Net Zero by 2050 as well as Sustainable Development Goals. As part of its long-term commitments and as Expo City Dubai gears up to host COP28 later this year, the destination will continue to align with sustainable reporting frameworks to showcase its diverse economic, environmental and social impacts.