Expo City Dubai Awards First Expo Green Licenses To Six Sustainability-Focused Businesses
Expo City Dubai’s Expo Green License is the first licensing product of its kind in the UAE that is dedicated to sustainability-led businesses of all sizes, stages, and sectors.
Six businesses have become the first recipients of the UAE’s first green licenses that have been issued by Expo City Dubai, the legacy city of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Expo City Dubai’s Expo Green License is the first licensing product of its kind in the UAE that is dedicated to sustainability-led businesses of all sizes, stages, and sectors, with the framework establishing qualification standards based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, while also providing them with support for setup, growth, and innovation.
The Expo Green License is a key component of the UAE's first Green Innovation District, a joint initiative between Expo City Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism that aims to “redefine industrial development by seamlessly integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability and social responsibility.”
The inaugural group of licensees include both local and international businesses, including the climate technology company AirJoule; electronic waste management company We Are Tech (WAT); Polygreen, which specializes in recycling, reusability, and waste management solutions; Carbon Assurance, the first UAE-established body accredited by the Emirates International Accreditation Center to conduct greenhouse gas validation and verification; Carbon Standard, which supports governments and businesses in setting emissions reduction strategies and measuring environmental performance; and RBT Collective, a partner in Expo City Dubai’s Terrazo food rescue program that reduces food waste and promotes circular food systems.
In a statement, HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, said, “The UAE has made great strides in developing an integrated national system to promote the transition towards a circular economy model and enable the growth and competitiveness of sustainable and advanced industries. As we work to advance the UAE’s long-term economic and climate ambitions, the Expo Green Licence is a powerful tool to encourage innovation and support green business growth. The companies receiving their licence today are frontrunners in the ongoing evolution of the Green Innovation District, and we look forward to welcoming more innovative organisations that will drive the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to diversify the national economy, accelerate the transition to clean energy sources, and enhance the country's competitiveness in the areas of sustainability and environmental innovation.”
HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, at Expo City Dubai.
HE Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, added, “Attracting, enabling, and scaling sustainability-focused business, innovation, and talent is integral to the Green Innovation District’s mission to deliver measurable environmental, economic, and social impact, and directly aligns with an enhanced nationwide focus on strengthening local industry. We are proud to advance the District’s mission as we grant the first green licenses—entrusted to these pioneering organizations 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.”
Businesses awarded the Expo Green License receive a package of incentives valued at more than AED 400,000 (US$108,903), including discounted setup fees, sustainability advisory services, promotional support, and collaboration opportunities. They will also gain access to business missions organized by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, partnerships through Majra, the UAE's national platform for sustainability-driven businesses, participation in the Green Majlis leadership forum, and fast-track intellectual property (IP) support through the ministry's planned on-site Green IP office, which is intended to accelerate patent registration, support technology localization, and advance green and circular economy projects.
According to Expo City Dubai, the six businesses that have received the green licenses represent the first of a broader pipeline of applicants from the UAE and international markets expected to join the Green Innovation District. As the initiative expands, businesses can qualify through one of two pathways depending on their stage of development. Established companies with recognized ESG ratings or equivalent accredited credentials can qualify directly, while startups and SMEs undergo an evidence-based assessment by Expo City's sustainability specialists. Under this route, applicants must demonstrate scalable products or services focused on climate action, sustainability initiatives, energy and water efficiency, or the circular economy.
Pictured in the lead image is a scene from the ceremony conducted at Expo City Dubai to present the first six Expo Green Licenses. Image courtesy Expo City Dubai.
