Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the introduction of its Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050 initiative, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The initiative focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of various sectors, including public transportation, buildings and facilities, and waste management.
The RTA’s strategy aims to make substantial progress, resulting in a reduction of 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and cost savings of AED 3.3 billion (approximately $900 million).
As part of the strategy, the RTA plans to achieve net-zero emissions in public transportation, buildings and facilities, and waste management. This includes transitioning all taxis, limousines, and public buses to zero-emission vehicles, designing energy-efficient buildings, utilizing renewable energy sources, and eliminating the disposal of waste in landfills.
The authority has established specific interim targets for each category. By 2030, they aim to convert 10% of public transport buses to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, with the goal of reaching 40% by 2040 and achieving 100% by 2050. They also plan to retrofit buildings and facilities with solar cell systems, targeting an upgrade of 74% of buildings by 2030 and 100% by 2045. Additionally, all new buildings are expected to be near zero-energy structures by 2025. The RTA intends to implement waste management plans to achieve a 100% reuse and recycling rate for municipal waste by 2030, while also increasing the use of recycled water in buildings and facilities to 40% by 2050.