The Dubai International Financial Centre announced its Decarbonization Strategy on Friday at the 2024 Future Sustainability Forum, setting a bold goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.

This target positions DIFC five years ahead of the UAE’s national Net Zero 2050 commitment, underscoring the Centre’s role as a regional leader in sustainability and sustainable finance.

The strategy, part of DIFC’s efforts to reinforce its environmental leadership, focuses on reducing emissions across operations, construction, and supply chains.

Unlike many initiatives, DIFC’s plan avoids carbon offsetting, aiming for tangible reductions to achieve “real Net Zero.”

Leading Regional and Global Sustainability Efforts

DIFC Governor Essa Kazim highlighted the Centre’s commitment to advancing Dubai’s status as a global hub for sustainable finance. “The Future Sustainability Forum enables global collaboration on climate change and sustainable development,” Kazim said. “Today, we are setting a new benchmark for decarbonization within global financial centers.”

The announcement builds on the momentum of COP29, held in Brazil, and the UAE’s COP28 legacy, where the landmark UAE Consensus solidified the country’s leadership in climate action.

Sustainability Progress Report and Climate Tech Innovation

DIFC also released its inaugural Sustainability Progress Report, Building a Sustainable Future: DIFC’s Path to Impact, detailing achievements and a roadmap for reducing climate risk. The Forum showcased the Climate Tech World Cup, a competition that drew innovators and entrepreneurs from around the globe, with finalists proposing cutting-edge solutions to environmental challenges.

Accelerating Green Finance and Innovation

The Forum gathered over 3,000 attendees, including 500 investors and more than 100 speakers, to discuss achieving net-zero targets, advancing sustainable finance, and driving innovation. Launched during COP28, DIFC’s Sustainable Finance Catalyst aims to scale sustainable financial flows to $100 billion by 2030, supported by the world’s first AI-driven sustainability knowledge hub.

DIFC’s sustainability focus aligns with the UAE’s leadership in green finance, which drove record issuances of $24 billion in green, social, and sustainability-linked bonds across the Middle East and North African region in 2023, with the UAE contributing $10.7 billion — 45 percent of the regional total.

A Vision for 2045 and Beyond

As global climate challenges grow increasingly urgent, DIFC’s Decarbonization Strategy and initiatives, such as the Future Sustainability Forum, highlight Dubai’s commitment to actionable solutions. With its ambitious timeline and comprehensive plan, DIFC is not only advancing the UAE’s Net Zero goals but also setting a standard for global financial centers.

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