- DWTC achieves Green Globe ‘Gold’ Certification for sustainable management and complying with international best practice
- Certification part of strategic effort by both venues to support UAE 2050 net zero goals
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 4 February 2026: The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) have been awarded Green Globe Certifications and are the only two events venues in the UAE and wider Middle East region to achieve that international standard, thanks to their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and contributing positively to their local communities.
The management teams across both locations ensured that their respective properties complied with or exceeded, more than 380 sustainability indicators, during an independent audit and assessment by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-based, sustainability consultancy Farnek.
Both DWTC and DEC achieved 92% scores during the audit, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the UAE, showcasing measurable achievements, while demonstrating exceptional leadership in sustainable venue management.
“DWTC has successfully achieved Green Globe Gold Certification, marking five years of continuous certification. Meanwhile, DEC has shown consistent improvement over the past three years and is on track to achieve Gold Certification, building on two years of steady progress,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek.
Initiatives carried out across both venues included installing high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, enhanced insulation, low-flow plumbing, smart irrigation, locally sourced/recycled materials, low-VOC finishes, construction waste management, integrated solar energy, and smart building systems.
Other more specific highlights mentioned in the report were 100% aerated water taps, faucets and motion-sensor basins, on-site reverse osmosis (RO) facility which purifies greywater for reuse in cooling towers, air-conditioner condensate and Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) reused for landscape irrigation.
Purchased cooling was decreased by 6% through the adoption of energy-efficient measures, and a 9.3% reduction in waste sent to landfill was achieved, while diverting 30% of total waste to a designated waste-to-energy facility.
In addition, both venues also have partnerships with International Charity Organisation, Dubai Autism Centre, UAE Food Bank, and Red Crescent to further improve their community impact.
“Sustainability is a core priority at DWTC. Our comprehensive ESG strategy underpins our efforts to reduce environmental impact while aligning with leading global and national frameworks. Green Globe is a globally-recognised benchmark for sustainable tourism and events and achieving certification for the fifth consecutive year underscores our long-standing commitment to embedding sustainability across our operations,” remarked Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre.
Green Globe Certification strengthens a venue’s ESG credentials, offering measurable, third party-audited performance across environmental, social, and governance pillars, providing international event organisers with a certified low-impact venue option, supporting their own corporate ESG, sustainability reporting, and SBTi-aligned net zero commitments.
“By reducing the carbon intensity of conferences, exhibitions, and MICE events, DWTC and DEC position themselves as preferred partners for climate-conscious event organisers, locally, regionally and internationally,” added Al Nahdi.
For more information log on to: www.farnek.com
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Photo: L – R: Ghanem Al Marri, Acting Manager – Customer Experience, Customer Care Department, DWTC; Ali AbdulQader, Senior Director – ESG, Venue Management and Business Support Department, DWTC; Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability and Consultancy, Farnek; and Josphat Kihara, Sustainability Manager (Circularity and Certification Lead), Farnek
About Farnek:
Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.
With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.
About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
For information, please log on to www.greenglobe.com