RTA Rolls Out Strategy to Transition to Zero-Emissions by 2050

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint in all areas of public transport, waste management, buildings, and related facilities, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out its "Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050" policy on Sunday.

By this move, the RTA becomes the first Middle Eastern agency to develop a long-term strategy for migrating towards net-zero emission public transport by 2050.

By designing buildings with nearly zero energy consumption, obtaining energy from renewable sources, eliminating municipal waste by sending zero waste to landfills, and decarbonizing all taxis, limousines, and public buses, the RTA hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million tons and save Dh3.3 billion in comparison to current operations.

تتماشى الاستراتيجية مع أهدف أجندة #دبي الاقتصادية D33 الرامية لتعزيز مكانة الإمارة كواحدة من أكبر الاقتصادات الحضرية في العالم، كما تهدف إلى تحقيق العديد من المنجزات كتحويل جميع مركبات الأجرة والليموزين والحافلات العامة إلى عديمة الانبعاثات. pic.twitter.com/4xnwXFnglK

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The new plan is a component of the UAE's preparations for COP28 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. It will help these pledges transform into real accomplishments.

By 2030, about 10 percent of public transportation buses will be electric and hydrogen-powered; this percentage will rise to 20 percent in 2035, 40 percent in 2040, 80 percent in 2045, and finally 100 percent in 2050.

While 30 percent of taxis and limousines will be converted to electric and hydrogen cars by 2030, that percentage will rise to 50 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040.

In the same way, 10 percent of Dubai Taxi Corp.'s school buses would be electric and hydrogen-powered by 2030, 30 percent in 2035, 50 percent in 2040, 80 percent in 2045, and 100 percent by 2050.

Along with expanding the usage of recycled water in its buildings and facilities to 40 percent by 2050, the RTA will also put into action a strategy to reuse and recycle 100 percent of municipal garbage by 2030, meeting the objective of 0 municipal wastes going to landfills.

“The new strategy encompasses ten initiatives, covering various RTA sectors and agencies, in addition to partnerships with the private sector that contribute to implementing the strategy over five years. The strategy will review, adjust and align future goals with changing circumstances,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of RTA.

“The strategy is also linked to local initiatives, such as Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2030, the Clean Energy Strategy 2050, Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy 2030, the waste management plan in Dubai, Dubai Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and other relevant strategies, agreements and initiatives,” added Al Tayer.