Expo City Dubai has issued the first Expo Green Licences to six businesses that range from small social enterprises to multinational organisations. The recipients include AirJoule, WAT (We Are Tech), Polygreen, Carbon Assurance, Carbon Standards and RBT Collective, according to a statement from the city. Their operations span waste management, climate technology and circular economy initiatives. The licences mark an initial cohort drawn from a larger pipeline of applicants based in the UAE and overseas.
The Expo Green Licence represents the first programme of its kind in the UAE and establishes a qualification benchmark centred on environmental, social and governance credentials. Recipients gain access to exclusive incentives, innovation support and opportunities valued at more than AED 400,000 to aid their setup, growth and development. The statement from Expo City Dubai described the licences as filling a gap in the market for sustainability-led businesses of all sizes and sectors.
Expo City Dubai developed the initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism as the foundation for the UAE’s first Green Innovation District. The district functions as a special economic zone dedicated to low-carbon energy, sustainable practices and green economic growth. It seeks to attract companies that integrate strong environmental standards into their core activities while contributing to national objectives.
UAE government strategies have identified the green economy as a cornerstone of the We the UAE 2031 vision, which focuses on economic diversification and long-term sustainability. Official plans commit the country to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through expanded investment in clean technology and climate resilience measures. The Green Innovation District forms part of these efforts by creating a dedicated hub for innovative enterprises in the sector.
Polygreen specialises in sustainable waste management and resource recovery while AirJoule and the other recipients advance solutions in carbon standards, assurance and related climate innovations. The first group of licence holders will operate within an ecosystem designed to foster collaboration among green technology developers and established firms. Expo City Dubai indicated that the programme would continue to expand as additional qualified businesses join the district in the coming months.
