The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has approved a long-term strategy to achieve zero emissions from public transportation in Dubai by 2050.

As a result, it is the first MENA government agency to develop such a comprehensive strategy for public transportation and accompanying infrastructure.

“RTA continues to make plans to ensure for sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport services and include it into its strategic objectives, as shown in its Strategic Goal: Safety and Environmental Sustainability. Such an initiative makes a significant contribution towards climate change mitigation and supports the long-term national initiative launched in 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to foster a green economy in the UAE under the concept: Green Economy for Sustainable Development. It also helps the UAE's commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which calls for a 23.5 % decrease in emissions in the UAE by 2030,” said Nasir Bu Shehab, CEO of RTA's Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector.

“The policy's features typically involve expanding the use of electric and hydrogen-powered cars and buses in public transportation, school buses, taxis, and limousine fleets to achieve the desired 100 % ratio by 2050. This also asks for the increased use of renewable energy, like solar power, in RTA premises and facilities, and the refurbishment of existing buildings, and the development of nearly emission-free buildings in all new ventures.

"The plan calls for accomplishing the smart and energy-efficient street lighting project by 2035, achieving 100 percent recycling of municipal garbage throughout RTA projects and activities by 2030, and recycling water for reuse in RTA buildings and facilities by 2035," Bu Shehab stated.

“The plan's roadmap is built on three strategic pillars: Green Mobility, Infrastructure, and Circular Economy, and is benchmarked against best practices in New York, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. By 2050, the plan anticipates a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide substitute and a savings of around 3 billion dirhams.

“RTA's strategy is consistent with important federal objectives such as The Emirates Green Development Strategy 2030, The UAE Green Agenda 2030, The National Climate Change Plan 2050, The UAE Energy Strategy 2050, The UAE Vision 2021, The National Innovation Strategy, and The UAE Centennial 2071.

"It is therefore consistent with Dubai's local initiatives such as the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which strive to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050." The strategy also aligns with worldwide trends such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals, and the C40 Cities Network's efforts to combat global warming," Bu Shehab said.

“RTA has accomplished several noteworthy accomplishments by pioneering the development of corporate processes and programs for environmental sustainability. RTA had been the first in the MENA region to receive global accreditation for its power management system in 2013, to introduce a green economy award in 2014, to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the green economy in 2016, and also to be enrolled in the United Nations Global Compact in 2020 "He concluded.