RTA Unveils Zero-Emission Plan 2050 To Minimize Carbon Footprint

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Sunday rolled out its ‘Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050’ strategy to minimise its carbon footprint across public transportation, waste management and buildings and related facilities.

The Authority aims to achieve decarbonisation of all taxis, limousines, and public buses, designing buildings with near-zero energy consumption, sourcing energy from renewable sources, and eliminating municipal waste by sending zero waste to landfills, resulting in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million tonnes and financial savings worth Dh3.3 billion in comparison to current operations.

The new strategy, which will bring these transitioning from pledges to tangible achievements, is part of the UAE’s preparations for COP28 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

As part of this initiative, around 10 per cent of public transport buses are to be converted into electric and hydrogen by 2030, which will be expanded to 20 per cent in 2035, 40 per cent in 2040, 80 per cent in 2045, and ultimately 100 per cent by 2050.

While 30 per cent of taxis and limousines will be converted into electric and hydrogen vehicles by 2030, which will be increased to 50 per cent by 2035 and 100 per cent by 2040.

Similarly, 10 per cent of Dubai Taxi Corp’s school buses would be electric and hydrogen by 2030, 30 per cent in 2035, 50 per cent in 2040, 80 per cent in 2045, and 100 per cent by 2050.