Dubai Expo 2020’s eight projects have received the highest rating under CEEQUAL, becoming the first project in the Middle East to score ‘Excellent’ ranking from the world’s first assessment, rating and certification scheme for sustainability in infrastructure projects.
Expo 2020’s top score, 93.6 percent, was received for the trellis and steelwork of the 130-metre by 67.5-metre Al Wasl dome, which encircles Al Wasl Plaza, creating the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world. Extensive design revisions reduced the amount of steel needed to create this impressive structure, saving more than 41,000 kilograms of embodied carbon.
CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ awards further spans across the Expo 2020’s Public Realm, Al Wasl Plaza, parks, shading and other infrastructure across the 4.38 sqkm site.
Ratings under CEEQUAL range from a ‘Pass’ at 30 percent to ‘Excellent’ at 75 percent, assessed across a range of sustainability issues, including land use, ecology, transport, resilience and pollution.
Ahmed Al-Khatib Chief Development & Delivery Officer Dubai Expo 2020
“Honoring the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE as a pioneer in sustainable development and the green economy, each of these CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ certificates is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our sustainability and site delivery teams.”
The Expo 2020 also holds the title of the largest list of awards received from CEEQUAL by a single site globally. The ‘Excellent’ certificates represent the highest industry recognition for civil engineering and highlight how the event has incorporated sustainable design principles across its buildings, infrastructure and landscaping.
Launched in 2004, CEEQUAL was developed by the UK-based Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the wider industry. It is now part of the BREEAM family of schemes within BRE Global, bringing together the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings, master planning and infrastructure across the built asset lifecycle.
Keith Nicholson, Infrastructure Key Account and Major Project Manager at BRE, said, “Expo 2020 Dubai’s infrastructure, including its sub-projects, has illustrated a high level of sustainability performance across the entire site. We are extremely proud of the project teams’ achievements and determination in being awarded a high CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ rating, the first project in the Middle East to achieve this and a testament to the hard work of all those involved.”
