Delivering an incredible event with a positive environmental impact
At Expo 2020 Dubai, we aspire to deliver the most sustainable World Expo ever. This may seem like an ambitious goal, but sustainability is ingrained in everything we’ve been doing – from buildings and construction to establishing a lasting legacy long after Expo is over.
From recycling to promoting natural solutions, we hope to inspire others to reaffirm their commitment to the environment and protecting Earth for future generations. All of our actions are geared towards creating positive environmental impacts on a national, regional and global scale, and support the Dubai Plan 2021, UAE Vision 2021 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Sustainable solutions in action
Ways in which we’re keeping Expo 2020 Dubai as eco-friendly as possible.
Generating clean energy
Renewable energy systems are installed on all permanent buildings on the Expo site. Permanent buildings are also integrated with photovoltaic panels and have incorporated energy systems to support the on-site generation of renewable energy sources.
Reducing water consumption
We’re on a quest to reduce, reuse and protect water. In 2019, we achieved a 52.4% reduction of water demand in our buildings, compared to the water requirements baseline of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Promoting natural solutions
50% of landscape plants during Expo 2020, and 95% after the event, come from native and adaptive species. A key target is to ensure that 95% of the landscape area is managed without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers.
Minimising our carbon footprint
We are measuring our carbon footprint to ensure accurate and transparent quantification of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) resulting from the event.
Pledging Seeds of Change
To engage visitors and to make our carbon offset programme more meaningful, we’ve created the Seeds of Change programme. This innovative programme lets visitors determine which carbon offsets will be purchased by Expo, as they ‘vote’ using ‘seeds’.
Ensuring sustainable events and operations management
Ensuring that products of all sizes and shapes coming into the Expo site are safe for consumer use, manufactured and packaged in an environmentally conscious and sound manner, and provided with the appropriate certifications.
Using sustainable building materials
We work with responsible suppliers, use sustainable materials, and the timber used on site carries sustainable forestry certification. Ninety per cent of key materials used are done so in accordance with the Sustainable Materials Guidelines.
Reducing waste
Eighty-five per cent of our waste is diverted from land fill. The Planet Over Plastic Pledge also asks International Participants and commercial partners to commit to reducing packaging and single-use materials, and recycle.
Encouraging sustainable tourism
We are overseeing and spearheading sustainable tourism research. This will enable key tourism stakeholders to monitor changing visitor sustainability inclinations, destination brand perception and tourism impacts over time.
Generating clean energy
Renewable energy systems are installed on all permanent buildings on the Expo site. Permanent buildings are also integrated with photovoltaic panels and have incorporated energy systems to support the on-site generation of renewable energy sources.
Reducing water consumption
We’re on a quest to reduce, reuse and protect water. In 2019, we achieved a 52.4% reduction of water demand in our buildings, compared to the water requirements baseline of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Promoting natural solutions
50% of landscape plants during Expo 2020, and 95% after the event, come from native and adaptive species. A key target is to ensure that 95% of the landscape area is managed without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers.
Minimising our carbon footprint
We are measuring our carbon footprint to ensure accurate and transparent quantification of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) resulting from the event.
Pledging Seeds of Change
To engage visitors and to make our carbon offset programme more meaningful, we’ve created the Seeds of Change programme. This innovative programme lets visitors determine which carbon offsets will be purchased by Expo, as they ‘vote’ using ‘seeds’.
Ensuring sustainable events and operations management
Ensuring that products of all sizes and shapes coming into the Expo site are safe for consumer use, manufactured and packaged in an environmentally conscious and sound manner, and provided with the appropriate certifications.
Using sustainable building materials
We work with responsible suppliers, use sustainable materials, and the timber used on site carries sustainable forestry certification. Ninety per cent of key materials used are done so in accordance with the Sustainable Materials Guidelines.
Reducing waste
Eighty-five per cent of our waste is diverted from land fill. The Planet Over Plastic Pledge also asks International Participants and commercial partners to commit to reducing packaging and single-use materials, and recycle.
Encouraging sustainable tourism
We are overseeing and spearheading sustainable tourism research. This will enable key tourism stakeholders to monitor changing visitor sustainability inclinations, destination brand perception and tourism impacts over time.
Expo 2020 Pavilion
Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion
Terra aims to be LEED Platinum certified and has photovoltaic panels across its roof and energy trees. Focusing on the planet’s natural wonders and what we can do to protect them, Terra aims to inspire visitors to become agents of change.
Expo 2020 will serve as a blueprint for a viable future, establishing sustainable benchmarks and leaving a meaningful legacy. Over 80 per cent of Expo’s structures will also be repurposed in District 2020.
