Expo City Dubai issues UAE’s first green licences

Expo City Dubai has issued its first 'Green Licences' to six businesses, including small-sized social enterprises and multinational organisations, as it works towards establishing its Green Innovation District.

The District, a joint initiative with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, aims to connect businesses under a shared goal of driving sustainable innovation to maximise environmental and economic impact.

The licence will enable sustainable businesses to set up, innovate, and grow through combining Expo City's ready-built sustainable infrastructure and testbed facilities to deliver measurable outcomes. 

Small and medium-sized companies with the licence are required to offer scalable products or services directly associated with sustainable climate action, sustainability initiatives, energy and water efficiency, or circular economy.

Expo City’s in-house sustainability experts then evaluate each business individually to determine its eligibility.

The licensing product offers a comprehensive support package with benefits valued at upwards of AED400,000, covering discounted setup fees, sustainability services, engagement and promotion support, and collaboration opportunities.

Expo Green Licence-holders will also be invited to participate in the Green Majlis, an expert forum for leadership dialogue and action on sustainable solutions to further develop environmentally conscious businesses and networks.

They will also have fast-track access to intellectual property (IP) support via the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s on-site Green IP office, which, once established, will enable protection of sustainable innovations, accelerating patent registration, supporting technology localisation, and driving green and circular economy project development.

"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," said Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority.

Companies that were presented with the licence by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Authority, include:

• AirJoule, a climate tech company with an innovative atmospheric water harvesting system.
• WAT (We Are Tech), a Dubai-based e-waste management company that helps organisations responsibly dispose of, recycle, refurbish and repurpose old electronics and IT equipment while protecting sensitive data.
• Polygreen, a global circular economy leader delivering innovative environmental, recycling, reusability, and waste management solutions.
• Carbon Assurance, the first UAE-established body accredited by the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC) to conduct greenhouse gas validation and verification. 
• Carbon Standard, which helps governments and businesses set sustainability targets, develop emission reduction strategies, and measure, verify, and report their environmental progress.
• RBT Collective, a long-term partner in Expo City’s food rescue programme Terrazo that works with organisations and communities to reimagine food systems, reduce waste and advance sustainable, circular economy solutions.