The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi recently launched a groundbreaking initiative
at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024: The Carbon Calculator.

This tool is designed to empower all hotels across the emirate to track and quantify their carbon
footprint. It aligns perfectly with the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative,
demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s commitment to a sustainable future for its tourism sector.

Here is how the carbon calculator will make a difference:
a. Industry-wide transparency: Hotels will gain access to a user-friendly dashboard, allowing them
to identify areas of high energy and water consumption. This standardized data collection will
facilitate analysis and comparisons across the industry.
b. Recognition and support: DCT Abu Dhabi will be able to recognize hotels leading the charge in
sustainability efforts, while also providing targeted support to those with higher emissions. This
collaborative approach fosters continuous improvement.
c. A blueprint for the future: The Carbon Calculator goes beyond just hotels. It serves as a
blueprint for expanding carbon footprint accounting across the entire tourism sector, including
events, cultural sites, and entertainment attractions.
d. Informed decision-making: By tracking fuel, gas, electricity, and water consumption data, hotels
can convert it into a standardized unit (kgCO2e). This empowers them to make data-driven
decisions and implement solutions like retrofitting to minimize their environmental impact.

The Carbon Calculator has potential to:
i. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs): Hotels will be equipped to design science-based
mitigation plans, leading to cleaner air in Abu Dhabi.
ii. Support energy and water efficiency targets: The initiative aligns with the Abu Dhabi Demand
Side Management and Energy Rationalization Strategy 2030.
iii. Attract eco-conscious tourists: As sustainability becomes a top priority for travelers, Abu Dhabi
will position itself as a leader in responsible tourism.

Collaboration and collective action:
The carbon calculator is not just a tool, it a call to action. All Abu Dhabi hotels are mandated to use it
and submit their consumption data, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for environmental well-being.