The Possibilities of Sustainable Travel in Dubai

Rising like a mirage from the desert, the Emirates has long been a beacon for all-out luxury and indulgence while at the same time, the kingdom is making moves to support the global push for carbon neutrality.

As magnificent and innovative as Dubai may be, the Arabian Desert is a challenging environment on which to build a sustainable metropolis. In places like this, where summer temperatures often top 38°C, large amounts of energy must be used to keep the populace cool, not to mention the amount of water needed to keep the golf courses and manicured spaces green all year round.

However, times and attitudes are changing in the region. Over the past decade the local government has been making large strides to reduce Dubai’s carbon footprint, advocate sustainable development and improve the eco-friendly options for travelers.

This is a city that thinks big and makes changes quickly. While the global spotlight has moved on since Expo 2020 Dubai closed in March 2022, its legacy lives on at Expo City Dubai, a purpose-built district dedicated to sustainability, innovation and climate-focused urban living. Many of the original pavilions remain open, including the striking Sustainability Pavilion, Terra, while the wider site now serves as a testing ground for net-zero architecture, renewable energy systems and water-saving technologies. It’s a rare chance to see how large-scale sustainable ideas are being translated into a functioning city – and a compelling example of how Dubai is rethinking its future beyond the event itself.

Then there’s The Sustainable City. Located on the outskirts of the emirate and working to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, it offers a working model for low-impact urban living, with solar-powered homes, water-recycling systems and car-free residential clusters. Designed to reduce energy use and encourage community farming, it shows how sustainability principles are being applied at city scale – not as an experiment, but as a place where people live, work and thrive. 

There’s plenty of momentum in the right direction and it’s a hopeful time for a place that’s very good at implementing change on a monumental scale. The initiatives will take time to pay off, but as a visitor there are small choices you can take that make a difference. From choosing a hotel with solid eco-credentials to supporting local conservation efforts, we look at some of the steps you can take to lessen your impact when you’re in town.

Find the right place to stay

Six-star hotels set in gleaming skyscrapers, perched on man-made islands may not seem to be the most obvious ambassadors for tackling climate change, but you’d be surprised at how many properties have introduced measures to lessen waste, reduce plastics and embrace ground-breaking technologies to save energy.

Among those leading the pack, the properties that form JA Resorts & Hotels have incorporated solar panels to heat water for guest rooms and pools, and there’s an on-site desalination and bottling plant that provides complimentary water to guests in reusable bottles. Across town at Sofitel Dubai The Palm, they’ve taken a holistic approach with an efficient recycling campaign for paper, plastic, cardboard, oil and glass, LED energy-saving lighting, and a water management system that’s affecting real change. What’s more, for every five towels guests reuse, the hotel group plants one tree in deforestation areas.

Out among the shifting sand dunes, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa in the middle of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, is one of the original eco hotels. Since it opened in 1999, it has planted more than 6,000 indigenous trees and employed a team of dedicated field guides that actively protect the local population of oryx, gazelles and birds.

Shop local

It’s almost as if shopping is a national pastime in the UAE, and Dubai is a place where local names and international brands stand side-by-side in gleaming, air-conditioned mega malls, while old-school souks still trade in spice, textiles and gold.

It’s among these loud, fragrant alleys that you’re going to be supporting the local economy the most. For handmade jewelry, head to the Gold Souk, where the skilled makers can craft bespoke designs or help you choose off-the-shelf pieces. As always in the souks, no price is set in stone, so be prepared to haggle. In the Spice Souk, don’t miss the high-quality saffron strands at local prices, fresh, organic dates, and locally blended teas.

Make sure to also explore some of Dubai’s other creative and historic districts. Alserkal Avenue transforms former warehouses into galleries, cafés and studios, supporting local designers and adaptive reuse over fast retail. Meanwhile, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood preserves wind-tower architecture and traditional courtyards that reflect low-impact design long before air conditioning. Together, they show how culture, craft and thoughtful urban regeneration can offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional shopping.

Food for thought

Restaurants the world over use the buzz words ‘local’, ‘seasonal’ and ‘sustainably sourced’ to describe the ingredients used in their dishes, and while this is the case in Dubai, it’s more of a challenge for chefs and restaurateurs to find truly local ingredients in the desert.

However, there are some restaurants that put in extra effort to champion local producers.

Support local conservation efforts

Set to the backdrop of skyscrapers and highways, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary at the end of the Dubai Creek is an important migratory stopover for hundreds of waterbirds. In winter, vibrant pink flamingos steal the show, but keen-eyed birdwatchers can also spot more than 170 species in this network of mudflats, mangroves and lagoons. The small entrance fee contributes to the continued upkeep and protection of the land, ensuring no new developments are constructed nearby.

To experience the solitude of the desert away from the roaring 4x4s of the Big Red sand dune, contact Arabian Adventures, one of eight approved tour operators that arrange camel trekking, wildlife watching, falconry exhibitions, and overnight stays in traditional Bedouin tents.

The information provided herein is sponsored by Diners Club International®. It is intended for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Content on this website may contain information from third parties and/or links to third-party websites. Diners Club International bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of this information.