Dubai’s strong focus on sustainability is covering everything from major projects to achieve ambitious renewable energy targets, to hosting global leaders for COP28. Meeting professionals are also being empowered to plan sustainable events in the city:
When global leaders, experts and decision-makers gathered in Dubai for the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties – also known as COP28 – key themes around sustainability and a greener future wasn’t just on the agenda, it was evident to all the thousands of participants.
The venue for COP28 – Expo City Dubai – is intertwined with the city’s laser focus on sustainability and acts as tangible proof of what can be achieved. Built to host Expo 2020 Dubai, which it successfully did between October 2021 and April 2022 by welcoming over 24 million visitors, sustainability was woven into its DNA.
Sustainability was one of the three sub-themes of Expo 2020, and the pavilion built to represent and showcase the theme (Terra) remains as part of its legacy – continuing to educate new generations and bring awareness to key challenges for the planet.
Legacy was critical all along in the planning, with 80% of the infrastructure created for Expo 2020 remaining as part of what is now Expo City Dubai. A total of 121 of these permanent buildings have LEED certification from the US Green Building Council.
Clean Energy Commitment
Another key sustainability achievement of Expo 2020 Dubai was sourcing all of its energy requirements from clean sources, with 100% of power for the event being delivered directly from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
As the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, it has a planned production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, with investments totalling $13.6bn.
The solar park is part of ambitious plans in Dubai to ensure 100% of its energy production capacity comes from clean sources by 2050, under the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050.
Other projects feeding into the strategies include a hydroelectric power station that is being built in Dubai’s mountain exclave Hatta, as well as Dubai Waste Management Centre (DWMC), the largest waste-to-energy project in the world.
Sustainability Across Business Events
Sustainability in Dubai is not just about the major infrastructure projects or the mega-events that continue to be awarded to the city.
Sitting at the core of the its business events offering as its largest venue, Dubai World Trade Centre is leading the way when it comes to sustainability, with its journey built on three pillars:
• Serving as a role model and addressing the growing public demand for businesses to play an active role in supporting environmental objectives;
• Maintaining unwavering alignment with local and federal government vision and strategy;
• Actively pursuing leadership in sustainability benchmarking within the global MICE industry, setting a standard for others to emulate.
One of its flagship projects has been the introduction of photovoltaic solar panels, generating 3.5 megawatts of power and clearly demonstrating its commitment to clean energy sources.
In planning and hosting events, DWTC’s ‘Green Meetings’ initiative encourages eco-friendly practices such as reducing plastic bottle use, minimising water consumption in cleaning, and advocating for paperless event materials.
It also adheres to the principle of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ with recycling bins conveniently placed throughout the venue. DWTC’s Earth Care team works with exhibitors post-event to segregate bulk waste, and in addition to this the venue fosters strategic partnerships with local organisations on recycling campaigns and distributing excess food to those in need. Recognising all of these efforts, DWTC has earned Green Globe certification.
Elsewhere within the business events ecosystem, the upcoming introduction of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp is set to make it easier for meetings professionals and delegates to identify how hotels are meeting green standards.
It will recognise hotels with the highest adherence to the Department of Economy and Tourism’s (DET) 19 ‘Sustainability Requirements’, with a three-tier system: Gold, Silver and Bronze. The accreditation process is being overseen by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence, with criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management programmes, and staff education and engagement initiatives being considered.
Another DET initiative has sought to drastically reduce single-use plastic consumption, specifically targeting water bottles. At the heart of the initiative has been the installation of free water stations throughout the city, combined with a major awareness campaign to encourage residents and visitors to use refillable bottles.
Remarkably, since its launch in February 2022, the initiative has cut the consumption of over 10 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles.
From the largest solar park in the world to the smallest changes in behaviour, Dubai’s sustainability journey is making an impact. Meeting planners are invited to be part of it. EW
To find out more about hosting business events in Dubai, visit dubaibusinessevents.com or contact askdbe@dubaidet.ae
