SUSTAINABILITY
Going for gold:
how Heriot-Watt University Dubai is spearheading sustainability initiatives and demonstrating leadership in environmental responsibility
Positive influence and impact
Professor Tadhg O'Donovan Deputy Vice Principal at the Dubai campus and Heriot-Watt's Chief Scientist
Professor Dame Heather McGregor Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai
“We are playing a crucial role in fostering environmental responsibility and sustainable practices,” explains Professor Tadhg O’Donovan, Deputy Vice Principal at the Dubai campus, and a leading figure in green technology who was named Heriot-Watt’s new Chief Scientist in December 2023. “Our collaboration with industry experts, world-class research, internships for practical experience, and overarching interdisciplinary approach, ensures a holistic understanding of sustainability challenges across the University.”
“Universities play a vital role in advancing knowledge and solutions around climate change,” comments Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai. “Through collaboration with businesses and governments, we can shape the technologies, policies and strategies that are essential to achieving net-zero targets and sustainability. We were proud to host the Climate Hub during COP28 to help move conversations into action, and delighted to recently achieve gold certification for laboratory sustainability best practice, which comes on top of our gold award for the environmental credentials of the campus itself.”
Gold certification for our labs
Recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab certification is considered the highest standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. Earlier this year, the Dubai campus received a prestigious Gold certification.
“Heriot-Watt University is the first academic institution in the UAE to achieve this recognition from My Green Lab,” comments Professor O’Donovan. “The accreditation was attained following a rigorous evaluation process, covering areas such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing. Achieving the Gold certification is testament to the University's commitment to a zero-carbon future and leadership in the scientific community.”
This is testament to our commitment to a zero-carbon future and leadership in the scientific community.”
Professor O'Donovan
Boosting sustainable practices across the humanitarian sector
Increasing understanding of sustainable practices across the humanitarian sector will be enhanced through a new partnership between Dubai Humanitarian (a global convening platform for humanitarian organisations and governments) and the Dubai campus of Heriot-Watt. The partnership will nurture a new generation of environmental leaders, and encompass internship and training opportunities, knowledge exchange, and joint research and collaborative projects.
One area of focus is a Packaging for Sustainability Programme. This aims to address the negative impacts of packaging across multiple sectors, including the humanitarian sector, and involves a range of strategic partners. The programme encompasses a design competition, a series of research projects aimed at developing and implementing solutions, and a symposium that took place in October 2024.
His Majesty King Charles III is welcomed to the Climate Hub at the Dubai campus.
Professor Richard A. Williams greets His Majesty King Charles III.
The King’s visit to the campus Climate Hub
These latest initiatives build on from the Dubai campus’s significant role during COP28, that saw it transform its 5th and 6th floors to create a dynamic Climate Hub, visited by His Majesty King Charles III.
Within the Hub was a CleanTech exhibition, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK government. “Alongside several British companies displaying innovative solutions to the threat posed by the climate crisis, our own interactive research exhibits showcased how the University is defining a route to global sustainability with the latest work from our research community and our four Global Research Institutes,” explains Professor O’Donovan. Fourteen examples of world-leading work in carbon capture, circular economy, coastal futures, decarbonisation, food sustainability, medical device manufacturing, nanomaterials and waterborne pathogens were presented to inspire and facilitate critical discussions around the climate emergency.
The King, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, and joined later in his visit by Scotland’s then First Minister Hamza Yousef, viewed the CleanTech exhibition, and later heard outcomes from a CEO roundtable – chaired by Bruce Pritchard, Heriot-Watt University’s Chair of Court and CEO of Liminal BioSciences – on climate action through partnership.
Before leaving, the King formally opened the new Dubai campus and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams, commented: “We are deeply honoured by the visit of His Majesty King Charles III to our campus in Dubai. Heriot-Watt was the first British university to open a campus in Dubai back in 2005, and since then, we have grown to become the largest international university in the UAE.”
Our research is defining a route to global sustainability.”
Professor O'Donovan
Gold status campus
A hallmark of Heriot-Watt’s commitment to sustainability is the integration of green building principles into campus infrastructure. “We have established a solar energy testing facility on the Dubai campus roof and are working with industry to develop new solar technologies and optimise renewable energy systems. Additionally, the Dubai campus is the only campus in the UAE to attain Gold status from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the globally recognised green building rating system,” explains Professor O’Donovan.
To receive LEED certification a building must go through an extensive review process. Attaining Gold status recognises the campus’s highly efficient, cost-saving green build that improves its environmental performance and helps to minimise its carbon footprint. The Dubai campus has also received the DEWA Conservation award, achieved through extensive measures to reduce on site consumption of power and water.
Solar energy testing facility on the Dubai campus roof.
Honouring those making significant contributions to sustainability
They are shining examples of how we can make meaningful impact in society.”
Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg
In 2023, the University conferred Honorary Degrees on Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and His Excellency Dr Abdullah Bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi for their outstanding accomplishments in the areas of sustainability, climate change, community development, and government service.
“Her Highness Sheikha Shamma and His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi are shining examples from different generations of how we can make meaningful impact in society, and will serve as inspiring role models for future generations of Emiratis,” commented Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Pro-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University Dubai. “It brings me immense pleasure to see Heriot-Watt University honour two of my fellow Emiratis for their significant contributions to the region.”
HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan has founded and led several high-impact ventures and initiatives. As the President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), she directs an organisation committed to accelerating climate action by growing the green economy through initiatives in the circular economy, carbon solutions, and climate adaptation. She is also the founder of several climate solutions businesses including The Climate Tribe, Reset MENA, and Alliances for Global Sustainability. In 2023 she was selected as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.
HE Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi is the former Minister of Climate Change and Environment and former Minister of Infrastructure Development in the UAE. He played a pivotal role in shaping and executing the UAE's climate resilience and ecosystem protection strategies through the formulation of impactful policies and initiatives. Dr Al Nuaimi also previously headed up the UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment, the National Biosecurity Committee, and is the chair of the Centre of Excellence in Smart and Sustainable Construction (CESC).
His Excellency Dr Abdullah Bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi with Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Pro-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University Dubai.
Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan with Professor Dame Heather McGregor.
Developing leadership for a sustainable world
“With programmes including MScs in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition, Renewable Energy Engineering, and Global Sustainability Engineering, which will support our graduates to become leaders in climate action, we have integrated sustainability initiatives into academic strategy,” explains Professor McGregor.
Every sector, business, and nation, requires graduates capable of considering sustainability in their day-to-day decisions, if aspirations like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are to be realised. “Sustainability awareness is now a sought-after transferable skill relevant to every discipline, from actuarial science to interior architecture, engineering to fashion,” comments Professor McGregor. “Our role must be to prepare our graduates to be advocates of change with a clear understanding of how both incremental and disruptive approaches can be harnessed for effective sustainable solutions.”
Sustainability awareness is now a sought-after transferable skill relevant to every discipline.”
Professor Dame Heather McGregor
Find out more about what we're currently doing and how you can get involved on our sustainability webpages.
For more information, please visit: Heriot-Watt Dubai University and Climate Hub
