Ras Al Khaimah achieved a significant milestone by receiving the Silver Certification from EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations program, a globally recognized benchmark and certification initiative for tourism destinations.
This distinction makes Ras Al Khaimah the first destination in the Middle East to attain such a high level of recognition for its commitment to sustainability. The certification process is rigorous, based on EarthCheck’s meticulous scientific criteria, and involves comprehensive monitoring, benchmarking, and auditing across ten key sustainability indicators. These indicators span from energy and water conservation to waste management, carbon footprint analysis, and community engagement.
What makes Ras Al Khaimah’s sustainability certification even more noteworthy is the region’s challenging climate conditions. This achievement necessitates a robust approach to managing energy and water consumption, which exceeds the stringent requirements set by EarthCheck.
The timing of this Silver Certification is particularly significant, aligning with the upcoming United Nations’ climate change conference, COP28, scheduled to take place in the UAE later in November. The conference’s agenda this year focuses on achieving the global emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030.
Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), emphasized that receiving EarthCheck’s Silver Certification underlines Ras Al Khaimah’s determination to lead in sustainable tourism not only in the UAE but also within the region by 2025.