Dubai aims to stage greenest Expo ever
Dubai intends to deliver the most environmentally-friendly World Expo to date.
The plans were unveiled by the UAE minister of state Reem Al Hashemi, who stated the event would be made carbon neutral. She claimed sustainability had been at the forefront of the design and planning of the emirate's bid to host the gathering.
Gulf News reports Dubai has developed a detailed set of targets for the design and construction of infrastructure and buildings. These will look into areas such as demand reduction, the use of alternative sources of energy and the recycling of energy, water and waste materials.
The emirate believes Expo 2020 will become the catalyst for new initiatives and investments which will help it achieve complete sustainability. In addition, the government is hoping the event will aid the UAE in attaining its goal of becoming a green economy.
Ms Al Hashemi commented: 'To be able to do this, we need to start in advance, and we need to look to our international partners to play their role. The legacy of our Expo site has to live beyond the six months of Dubai Expo 2020.'
The country's desire to be a green economy was further touched upon by the chief executive officer and managing director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Saeed Al Tayer. He stated that Dubai's 2021 energy strategy decreed the emirate must provide a sustainable environment with comprehensive infrastructure, which will help it respond to the challenges caused by climate change.
In order to achieve this, the country must invest in new initiatives and state-of-the-art technologies which will use alternative and renewable sources of energy. If done correctly, this will enable the UAE to sustainably meet the power requirements which will allow it to push forward with social and economic development programmes.
Mr Al Tayer made the comments during his keynote speech at the opening of the World Green Economy Summit, which was held during the second day of the Water, Energy, and Technology Exhibition 2014. The event was the first of its kind and was based on improving the profitability of sustainable products and practices in the Middle East and North Africa region.