The UAE will host the UN Climate Change Conference from November 30 to December 12 2023, and preparations are already being made for the influx of foreign leaders, dignitaries and emissaries to discuss the climate’s most pressing issues. Aside from logistical preparation, the UAE has also ensured that its collective efforts towards sustainability are clear to see, as it has been an advocate for net-zero long before it was socially promulgated.

As a vital economic engine for the UAE’s economy, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) plays a major role towards supporting the country’s net-zero objectives. It has set the goal to be carbon neutral by 2040 and net-zero carbon by 2050, with an interim 2030 target of a 28% reduction in carbon footprint (from a 2019 baseline). Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, declared 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’, and thus it is a source of great pride for Jafza to be declared the global winner in the ‘Excellence Award for Sustainability’ by fDi Intelligence.

Companies and organisations worldwide have responded to sustainability issues through investments in new technologies and machinery. According to Deloitte, 75% of companies have increased investments in sustainability, with 65% of companies citing changes in the regulatory environment as the reason for action. As one of the largest logistics and manufacturing free zones globally, attached to one of the world’s busiest ports, Jafza has long-standing commitments and a track record of supporting sustainability initiatives. Jafza also recognises that remaining focused on long-term goals and monitoring incremental gains will be key to the future of trade and ensuring it can lead its diverse business community to be a part of the journey towards net zero.

Jafza’s journey is rooted in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and aligned with DP World’s broader strategy — upon which Jafza’s sustainability goals are based. Its strategy is divided into two core principles: ‘Our World,’ focusing on current efforts to operate as a responsible business across seven priority areas, and ‘Our Future,’ which considers the free zone’s long-term legacy. Jafza has been a UN Global Compact member since 2019 and has developed additional initiatives in collaboration with existing partners, including the Blue Marine Foundation, Logistics Emergency Teams, and Impact2030.

Jafza addresses sustainability concerns within its local context, particularly by supporting the growth of a robust local agribusiness sector. As a Free Zone responsible for 20% of Dubai’s food and beverage trade value, Jafza aligns its objectives with the National Food Security Strategy 2051. The free zone is home to more than 600 food and agri-commodity companies from 68 countries. In 2022, the UAE ranked 23rd worldwide and first in the Arab world for food safety and quality. This alignment has resulted in significant progress by stimulating investments in sustainable technologies for domestic production.

Jafza has invested more than Dh180m ($49m) in reducing energy and water consumption in the Free Zone, installing energy-efficient LED lighting and retrofitting its facilities with efficient air conditioning units and solar-powered water heaters. It also implemented the Middle East’s biggest rooftop solar project by installing 158,000 solar panels across its community, saving 48,000 tons of emissions per year while producing more than 30% of Jafza’s annual energy requirements (equivalent to the demand of 4600 homes per year). In recognition, Jafza won the Emirates Energy Award in 2022. Jafza regularly shares its expertise with its customers by financing and building their solar panel and energy efficiency projects across the Free Zone.

Jafza’s commitment to sustainability transcends mere rhetoric. It exemplifies a holistic approach that addresses global and local challenges. As a regional and global leader, Jafza recognises that achieving long-term sustainability goals requires unwavering focus and continuous progress monitoring. By minimising disruptions and ensuring inclusivity, Jafza contributes to the future of trade and the broader mission of fostering a sustainable global community. Its efforts are aligned with the UAE’s dedication to environmental stewardship and the collective pursuit of a more sustainable world.