The annual sustainability report of Expo 2020 Dubai – based on the Global Reporting Initiative standards – documented the leading sustainable practices implemented during the international event and highlighted opportunities for development in the city of Expo Dubai, which is preparing to host the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from November 30 to December 12. The report presented facts about sustainability at Expo 2020 Dubai and showcased the innovative technologies used in this edition of the international event, which lay the groundwork for further advancement in this field as the city of Expo Dubai adopts these technologies to become a cornerstone of the sustainable future city centered around human needs.
The report focused on a wide range of activities ranging from carbon management to food waste reduction and was prepared in alignment with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an independent international organization whose standards are the most widely used for sustainability reporting worldwide. Expo 2020 Dubai adapted these internationally recognized standards and guidelines to establish a unique and suitable methodology for assessing the carbon footprint.
It compiled an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions to monitor and report changes in these emissions, including sources of emissions from Expo as well as external parties and entities. Expo 2020 Dubai reduced greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable mitigation strategies by approximately 10 percent compared to a "business as usual" scenario, while an additional 5 percent reduction was achieved through carbon offsets.
This steadfast commitment continues with the implementation of all programs, guidelines, and plans by Expo Dubai, aligned with the strategic plans and initiatives of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, including the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the UAE's strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, as well as the global goals (Sustainable Development Goals).
