Expo City Dubai issues UAE’s first ever Green Licences

Expo City Dubai has issued the first Expo Green Licences to six pioneering businesses, ranging from small social enterprises to multinational organisations, as the city builds momentum as the United Arab Emirates’ first Green Innovation District.

The landmark licensing product is designed to connect environment-conscious enterprises under a shared goal of driving sustainable innovation to maximise environmental and economic impact.

A joint initiative with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the green licence addresses a critical gap in the market by providing sustainability-led firms with comprehensive benefits valued at upwards of AED 400,000. These incentives cover discounted setup fees, sustainability services, and promotional support. To ensure high standards, the qualification benchmark requires applicants to demonstrate verified environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating: “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 licences – entrusted to these pioneering organisations 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. ”

The project directly aligns with the country's strategic clean energy goals. His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, added: “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.”

The first cohort of licensees features businesses specialising in waste management and climate technology. These include AirJoule, WAT (We Are Tech), Polygreen, Carbon Assurance, Carbon Standard, and RBT Collective. To remain inclusive, the framework offers two distinct pathways to qualification. While established firms with accredited ESG ratings qualify directly, small and medium-sized enterprises are evaluated individually based on their scalable products or services related to circular economies and climate action.

Ramdas M. Rao, President – International at AirJoule Technologies, remarked on the commercial significance: “Receiving the UAE's first green licence and joining the Green Innovation District with its pertinent benefits is a meaningful step in AirJoule's commercial journey. The key pillars of the UAE's economic strategy include sustainability and resiliency, two deliverables that are central to AirJoule's value proposition. Using advanced materials and leveraging both our global and local partners, we are scaling our atmospheric water harvesting platform to deliver water security and energy efficiency in the UAE, and from this launchpad to the Global South. We look forward to building alongside our Expo City Dubai community, because collaboration is the only way climate technologies reach the scale required.”

Licensees gain invitation to local and international business missions, participation in the Green Majlis leadership forum, and fast-track access to an upcoming on-site Green Intellectual Property office to protect sustainable innovations.