Dubai Airports Boosts Sustainability With 45 MWp Solar Programme

Dubai Airports’ first ESG Impact Report has highlighted a 45 MWp rooftop solar programme across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), as part of the airport operator’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

The report, covering 2024 and 2025, outlines Dubai Airports’ environmental, social and governance performance and highlights initiatives related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, employee development and accessibility.

The 45 MWp rooftop solar programme across DXB and DWC is described in the report as one of the region’s largest airport-based renewable energy initiatives. The programme forms part of Dubai Airports’ wider efforts to reduce emissions and energy consumption across its operations.

Dubai Airports reported a reduction of 144.72 GWh in electricity consumption against its 2019 baseline as of June 2025. Its environmental priorities are guided by a Decarbonisation Strategy established in 2023, which focuses on reducing emissions associated with electricity, water, fuel and waste while integrating renewable energy, lower-carbon infrastructure and green mobility into the future development of DXB and DWC.

The airport operator has also introduced a 5 percent biodiesel blend across airport and partner vehicle fleets.

Waste management has recorded further progress. Seven food-waste digesters at DXB have a combined processing capacity of 4,900 kg per day. Dubai Airports diverted 76 percent of its total waste from landfill in 2025, with the diversion rate reaching 100 percent in May 2026.

On the social and workforce front, Dubai Airports delivered 24,115 learning hours through learning and leadership programmes to 1,531 employees in 2025. Development initiatives were also extended to 17,349 service partners.

Accessibility remained another focus, with eight dedicated services for People of Determination at DXB. A total of 52,619 learners across 14 partner entities completed accessibility training in 2025, while 36,040 sunflower lanyards were distributed to support passengers with hidden disabilities.

The report also identifies areas requiring further work, including strengthening ESG data collection, completing climate-risk and adaptation planning, advancing environmental management systems and deepening collaboration across the aviation ecosystem through the oneDXB Sustainability Alliance.

Dubai Airports said the oneDXB Sustainability Alliance brings together partners across the airport ecosystem to accelerate decarbonisation and sustainable aviation initiatives.