Expo City Dubai has issued Expo Green Licences, a first of its kind in UAE, to six businesses - ranging from small-size social enterprises to multinational organisations - as the city builds momentum in its role as the country’s first Green Innovation District.
A pioneering product from Expo City Dubai, the licence is a key enabler of the Green Innovation District – a joint, landmark initiative with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism designed to connect businesses under a shared goal of driving sustainable innovation to maximise environmental and economic impact.
The six ventures – whose activities span waste management to climate tech – are the first of a robust pipeline of applicants from the UAE and abroad to be awarded the licence, reinforcing the nation as a destination of choice for bold, innovative enterprises committed to sustainable development.
These include AirJoule, a climate tech company with an innovative atmospheric water harvesting system, and Dubai-based e-waste management company WAT (We Are Tech), which helps organisations responsibly dispose of, recycle, refurbish and repurpose old electronics and IT equipment along with Polygreen – a global circular economy leader delivering innovative environmental, recycling, reusability and waste management solutions.
The list also includes Carbon Assurance, the first UAE-established body accredited by EIAC to conduct greenhouse gas validation and verification and Carbon Standard, which helps governments and businesses set sustainability targets, as well as RBT Collective, a long-term partner in Expo City’s food rescue programme Terrazo.
The move is aimed at addressing a critical gap in the licencing market by offering sustainability-led businesses of all sizes, stages and sectors exclusive benefits that support setup, growth and innovation.
It sets a clear and robust qualification benchmark, ensuring only businesses with demonstrated environmental, social and governance credentials – through certifications or documented track records – form part of the District.
On the key initiative, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, said: “Attracting, enabling and scaling sustainability-focused business, innovation and talent is integral to the Green Innovation District’s mission to deliver measurable environmental, economic and social impact and directly aligns with an enhanced nationwide focus on strengthening local industry.”
“We are proud to advance the District’s mission as we grant the first green licences – entrusted to these pioneering organisations that now form part of a collaborative, solutions-driven ecosystem that will contribute to UAE’s net zero and economic diversification ambitions, helping to create a brighter future for generations to come,” she added.
Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, said: “The UAE has made great strides in developing an integrated national system to promote the transition towards a circular economy model and enable the growth and competitiveness of sustainable and advanced industries.”
“As we work to advance the UAE’s long-term economic and climate ambitions, the Expo Green Licence is a powerful tool to encourage innovation and support green business growth,” stated Al Marri.
“The companies receiving their licence today are frontrunners in the ongoing evolution of the Green Innovation District, and we look forward to welcoming more innovative organisations that will drive the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to diversify the national economy, accelerate the transition to clean energy sources, and enhance the country's competitiveness in the areas of sustainability and environmental innovation,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service