Expo 2020 Dubai unveils 2020 sustainability report

Expo 2020 Dubai has released its 2020 sustainability report after the United Arab Emirates announced the nation's 'net zero by 2050 strategic initiative’.

Expo 2020 Dubai, which aims to be one of the most sustainable World Expos in history, surpassed several sustainability-focused targets last year and during the first months of this year.

Dina Storey, director of sustainability operations at Expo 2020 Dubai, explained "what we’re doing here at Expo is literally a representation, or a small pilot, of what the UAE wants to do in the future

“We’ll be part of that journey ... not just for the UAE but globally. We’ll be able to learn and understand from each other more.”

Set to invest more than $160 billion in the ‘UAE net zero by 2050 strategic initiative’, for the 15-month period ending 31st March 2021, Expo 2020 Dubai reduced the energy demand of its permanent buildings by 33%, beating the 20% reduction target that was set.

During the same period, Expo 2020 Dubai experienced a 53% drop in water demand in its buildings, a 13% increase on its 40% goal.

Also, 90% of all landscape plants at the event are either native or adaptive species, thrashing Expo 2020’s 50% target.

In addition, 90% of all waste was diverted from landfill in the same period, an improvement on Expo’s 85% KPI.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s third annual sustainability report outlines the event’s ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability across all 182 days.

Commenting on its achievements, US climate envoy and former Secretary of State, John Kerry advised “as the UAE prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a nation later this year, this mid-century net-zero goal sets out a very powerful vision for your next exciting decades ahead.

“I know this announcement was the result of serious, substantive work by many - and it sets an example for other major energy exporters to follow. I look forward to working with the UAE to turn this goal into a reality.”

Since opening on Friday 8th October, Expo 2020 Dubai has recorded more than 410,000 visits over its first 10 days.

Image: Expo 2020 Dubai.