FREE ZONE REACHES MAJOR SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONE

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), DP World’s flagship trade and logistics hub, has achieved operational net zero emissions across the facilities it owns and manages under its operational control. The milestone covers operational Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions within Jafza’s own operations and represents a significant step in the free zone’s sustainability journey, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 vision.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO for Parks & Economic Zones at DP World, said achieving operational net zero across the company’s own facilities in Jafza was an important step in its sustainability journey. He said the milestone demonstrated that large, complex trade and logistics ecosystems could take practical action to reduce emissions while supporting the businesses operating within them to pursue their own sustainability goals.

SOLAR, RETROFITS AND EFFICIENCY DRIVE THE REDUCTION

Jafza reached the milestone by cutting its operational emissions by approximately 99%, through a combination of rooftop solar installations, renewable electricity sourcing via International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), building retrofits and energy-efficiency optimisation. The free zone has invested close to AED 200 million in energy-efficient LED streetlighting and in retrofit projects designed to reduce both energy and water consumption.

The remaining emissions, amounting to 231 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, were offset through independently verified carbon removal credits supplied by Boomitra, a winner of the 2023 Earthshot Prize recognised for its work in soil carbon restoration.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT PERFORMANCE ALSO IMPROVING

Jafza has continued to strengthen the sustainability performance of its built environment, securing two LEED Platinum building accreditations in 2025. The free zone said the operational milestone applied specifically to its own facilities and did not extend to tenant emissions, which are independently managed by the individual businesses operating within the zone.

Jafza said it would continue supporting companies within the free zone through sustainability awareness initiatives, energy-efficiency collaboration, and access to lower-carbon infrastructure and solutions where available. Its next priorities include scaling energy-efficiency solutions further across its operations and supporting initiatives to divert more than 80% of waste from landfill.