Expo City Dubai Collaborates With RICS To Implement Whole Life Carbon Assessment For Sustainable Development

Expo City Dubai has partnered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to enhance their professional collaboration. This agreement makes Expo City the first developer in the UAE to adopt RICS' Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA). The WLCA standard ensures precise carbon measurement, aiding consistent decision-making for a sustainable built environment in the UAE.

The partnership will offer training sessions, workshops, and courses based on the WLCA framework. These initiatives aim to improve industry professionals' skills. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo City Dubai, and Belinda Howell, Executive Director for Middle East & Africa at RICS, signed the agreement. Representatives from the Emirates Green Building Council were also present.

Expo City Dubai's new master plan covers 3.5 square kilometres. It aims to accommodate 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals. The city aspires to be a global hub for businesses, investors, homeowners, and visitors who share its vision for a sustainable future.

Ahmed Al Khatib emphasised Expo City Dubai's role in supporting Dubai’s long-term prosperity responsibly. He stated that their decarbonisation roadmap and sustainability initiatives align with environmental goals. "Our partnership with RICS enables that commitment," he said. The collaboration supports the UAE’s journey to net zero by 2050 through knowledge-sharing.

Tina Paillet, President of RICS, expressed pride in initiating this partnership during COP28 last year. She noted that this agreement highlights growing cooperation between RICS and Expo City Dubai. "Together, we look to serve as a beacon for advanced sustainability practices," she added.

Strategic Role in Economic Growth

Expo City Dubai is one of five hubs in the 2040 Dubai Urban Master Plan. It plays a crucial role in achieving the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033. The accelerated development of Dubai South is key to this growth as it positions itself as a global hub for trade and tourism.

The new master plan positions Expo City as central to enabling Dubai’s economic goals across sectors like trade, logistics, technology, tourism, business, and events.

This strategic collaboration between Expo City Dubai and RICS marks a significant step towards sustainable development in the UAE's built environment sector while supporting broader economic objectives.

With inputs from WAM