Miral, the Abu Dhabi-based leisure and entertainment leader, announced today the launch of its comprehensive Sustainability Strategy, a turning point in its ongoing environmental and social commitment. The plan outlines the organization’s ambitions to become a regional benchmark for sustainable leisure, entertainment, and tourism (LET) experiences by 2030.
Relying on sustainable business practices the group has undertaken over the years, Miral will place a solid focus on its responsibility to ensure a brighter future for generations to come. The long-term Sustainability Strategy underscores Miral’s commitment to positioning its destinations and attractions as regional references for sustainable practices.
“Miral is pursuing a major milestone in its advancement by putting sustainability at the core of everything we do. Our Sustainability Strategy will guide this evolution, ensuring responsible growth and innovation while delivering lasting value for our stakeholders and the community. It also demonstrates our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy to address climate change, while driving sustainable tourism in Abu Dhabi,” stated Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral’s Group CEO.
Fostering sustainability
Miral’s Sustainability Strategy is the result of a comprehensive assessment of its current operations and future vision, identifying key areas of focus with ambitious targets and timelines.
The strategy is set to impact current and upcoming attractions across Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Its key objectives are to develop the most sustainable LET experiences in the region; operate LET experiences in the most sustainable way in the region; and position its destinations as the most sustainable in the Middle East.
The strategy also presented key pillars:
Experiences for a better world
Through its Sustainability Strategy, Miral aims to foster cultural enlightenment through attractions like Qasr al Watan. It also seeks to champion nature protection with initiatives such as the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center and create meaningful entertainment experiences that integrate educational elements and foster a deeper understanding of critical social and environmental issues.
Decarbonization and resource management
Miral’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint by 2030 aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy. A multi-faceted approach is adopted to improve Miral’s carbon efficiency across its assets and minimize its environmental impact. This includes implementing energy efficiency measures across its operations, transitioning to renewable energy sources, exploring carbon offsetting initiatives and embedding sustainable design principles into all new construction projects.
This will also apply to resource management, encompassing comprehensive water conservation strategies and robust waste management programs that strive for zero waste to landfill.
People
This pillar also represents a key priority within the strategy, ensuring the well-being of Miral’s employees through initiatives that champion diversity and inclusion, Emiratization, professional development and a healthy work-life balance. This responsibility extends towards upholding the highest standards for the welfare of construction workers, ensuring fair treatment, safe working conditions and access to essential resources.
Sustainable development
In addition to implementing sustainable practices within its operations, Miral’s sustainability efforts will expand towards its destinations. These initiatives encompass responsible supply chain management by prioritizing sustainable procurement, promoting sustainable tourism practices in collaboration with partners and creating more sustainable destinations by offering greener mobility options.
Sustainable initiatives
Miral’s focus on sustainability has been evident. Some of its key initiatives include the installation of the UAE’s largest solar rooftop on Warner Bros World Yas Island, thereby reducing its reliance on the UAE’s electricity grid and producing up to 64 percent of the theme park’s electricity requirements during optimum periods. Additional panels were recently installed at SeaWorld Yas Island and Yas Bay in collaboration with Emerge, a joint venture between sustainability major Masdar and EDF.
Moreover, the recent collaboration with Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, and Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center provides an integrated marine science knowledge hub for marine conservation, research initiatives and marine wildlife rescue efforts in the Middle East.
In addition, brands such as Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island produce drinkable water for its guests from the air humidity. Meanwhile, the WB Abu Dhabi will be installing an on-site hydroponic farm to grow fresh produce for its food and beverage outlets. SeaWorld Yas Island has also decreased single-use plastics across its operations, utilizing recycled alternatives with the goal of eliminating all single-use plastics in the near future.
Miral’s Sustainability Strategy is a testament to the group’s dedication to collaboration, innovation and transparency. It also paves the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for the tourism industry not only in the UAE but in the wider region. The announcement is a major decision towards ensuring a more sustainable future for the tourism industry, fully aligned with the UAE’s ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2050.
