Dubai is famous for its sightseeing attractions, skyscrapers, shopping malls, luxurious hotels, highways, and tourism. ‘Green’ isn’t the word that comes to your mind when talking about Dubai. A lot of work is being done to turn the city eco-friendly while keeping the things it’s famed for. Projects in both, private and public sectors, are ongoing to make Dubai more environment friendly that is unknown to the public at large. Taking into account Dubai’s history one can be very optimistic in predicting they will be successful in the path.
With the climatic challenges we face today, Dubai wants to play its part in addressing them. By investing in clean technologies and sustainable development, it is turning a new page in the country’s history and inventing new ways of doing it in 2021. And to support this new venture the government is backing all new and innovative green ideas to help achieve its goals.
What is a Green Industry Business?
Green industry businesses have taken gained a lot of interest over the past couple of years. Environmentalists have brought the conversation to the general public and raised awareness of how traditional businesses damage the earth and our environment. Many investors have identified green industry businesses as the future of the commercial world. Thus, opening new avenues of business opportunities for people.
To simplify what a green industry business is; it uses sustainable materials to either help the business flourish or make materials for your products. The purpose of this process is to eliminate all those factors which are causing damage to our surroundings and earth in general; such as, carbon emission. Through this, businesses also aim to lower the usage of water, energy, and raw materials which ultimately benefits the earth not only in the short-term but also in the long-term basis. The businesses emphasize finding means which are also eco-friendly and provide long-term sustainability for the business itself as well.
In summary, minimize the strain on natural resources and focus more on eco-friendly methods to further your business functionality and operations. Moreover, if any waste is generated through the business operations then these eco-friendly businesses transform it into reusable energy.
UAE’s Green Economy Venture
In a green economy, businesses are molded to achieve a sustainable future. The companies aim to influence the environment and the communities positively. Introducing new products and services that are environmentally friendly and at the same time address the challenges faced by their targeted customers and is vital in green business. Green companies focus on numerous mechanisms and strategies to achieve their goals, such as using recyclable and reusable materials to make their product and encouraging energy efficiency. The Government of Dubai is facilitating a new initiative to make Dubai greener and environmentally friendly.
UAE introduced a roadmap to achieve a green economy. The UAE Green Agenda 2015-2030 outlines five strategic achievable goals each backed by executable plans and programs to accomplish the desired results.
- Competitive knowledge economy. (National green innovation program and diversification program are set up to gain competitive knowledge of the green economy and drive innovation.) in the green sector.
- Social development & quality of life. (Integrated green infrastructure program was introduced to continue environmentally friendly urban planning and construction of sustainable buildings. The green workforce and talent program offers new vocational training courses at the national and local levels.)
- Sustainable environment & valued natural resources. (Impact of development projects on the environment will be assessed and monitored under natural capital and resilience project. Also, a new climate change adaption strategy will be developed and adopted. Environmental goods and services program will make new national eco-labels for environmentally friendly goods and services.
- Clean Energy and climate action. (Integrated power and water management programs will promote optimal design in power stations to reduce transmission loss in electrical networks and upgrade gas turbines in water desalination units. The national renewable energy program will help to promote and advance mega solar PV projects. Under the National green economy data program, all the factors such as greenhouse gases will be monitored and reported. Other green economy-related data will be published frequently).
- Green life and sustainable use of resources. (New water and energy management and efficiency strategies and guidelines are provided with the National Energy and water efficiency program. Under this program, they will monitor and report national energy and water consumption levels. Also, new environmental requirements and regulations are set in waste to energy plants. New strategies and legislation are integrated to manage waste).
Obviously considerable amount of business and employment are available with the new green economy path. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that in the energy sector alone, 100,000 new employment opportunities will be available within the next 10 years.
Because dealing with climate change will require far-reaching economic and social transformations, entrepreneurs have the potential to play a significant role in developing climate technologies that can help communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
With the green economy on the horizon, here are a few green business ideas for enthusiastic entrepreneurs that want to make a difference.
5 Climate Friendly Business Ideas in Dubai
1. Media Outlet
Fighting climate challenge is a huge task at hand and what better way to do it than creating awareness through content. Media outlets, publishers can make a huge impact in this battle by publishing content related to environmentally friendly initiatives and promoting green and clean Dubai. So, you are passionate about the battle against climate change you can start a newsletter, magazine, or can work with an existing one.
2. Organic Product Store
You can set up an organic product store and sell eco-friendly organic goods such as organic food, utensils, cleaning agents, and even sunglasses. These organic products are made of organic and recyclable materials that are environmentally friendly. The cost of opening an organic product store is extremely low as well compared to other green ventures.
3. Eco-Fashion
If you’re into fashion what better way to do it than helping the environment alongside it. Eco-friendly fashion is definitely the future, using organic and reusable clothing materials you can design new clothes and establish the next generation brand. It’s easy to market to the younger generation as well because they love clothes and fashion brands and climate change directly affects them and they are actively involved in supporting such initiatives.
4. Green Wedding
Sustainable wedding planners are another business opportunity available in today’s time. Green wedding planner professionals can specialize in hosting and organizing weddings that are environmentally friendly. As sustainable wedding professionals, you can help organize an eco-friendly wedding for a couple. By using sustainable products and reusable décor they can host a wedding with a twist.
5. Organic Catering Service
Organic catering service is one of the promising business opportunities in Dubai at the moment. You can exclusively provide organic food catering and set up full-scale operations for weddings, business meetings, conferences. It is a lucrative business as people are focused on a healthy lifestyle more than ever before. With a wide range of organic food options available on your menu, it’s going to be very tempting.
Bonus Business Ideas
In addition to the business ideas mentioned above, here are some additional ones which you can look into and possibly start a business with.
Solar Panel Installation
Solar panels were perhaps the first such method that introduced the concept of green usage; it not only helps the environment but also saves a lot of unnecessary production of energy. This is an evergreen field that you can possibly look to enter but since it has been around for a while, you might face competition, and thus, you will be required to bring a certain innovation.
The green solar energy that comes from the sun is converted into electricity. This is especially useful for those who live in remote areas and are not connected to the main grid. But their application has seen a huge rise in commercial buildings and homes within the cities as well.
The installation process is the same in every scenario; it includes planning, building a platform, mounting the panels at a place where you can utilize the most sunlight, setting up the wiring, and then connecting it all together. You can attain certifications from reputable organizations to further boost the chances of your business becoming a success. However, certification isn’t mandatory to open your own solar panel installation company but it can prove to be extremely useful and valuable in long term.
Sustainable Construction Materials
With cities expanding, construction is being done almost everywhere; be it repairing jobs or creating new buildings, houses, or any other commercial or home infrastructures. Moreover, construction has been around for a long time which was required to have innovation, and thus came the introduction of sustainable construction materials.
Some companies make construction-grade materials out of recycled materials and they are used in projects such as infrastructure repairs and more. This is a great eco-friendly business idea that has a lot of potential; it not only solves the green problem but also sets you up to earn a lot of money while doing so.
Compositing Service
There are many people around the globe who are passionate about reducing the wastage of things, especially food. If you are one of those people then you can consider setting up a food composite service; which is primarily geared towards providing composite bins to individuals and businesses. The bins will have to be replaced at regular intervals and you can also develop relationships with the farmers and provide compost to them. This is a great method through which you can support your local economy.
