The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has been awarded Silver Certification in EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destinations program. This recognition signifies a significant milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s journey towards sustainability within the tourism sector, making it the first destination in the Middle East to achieve this level of sustainability certification.

EarthCheck’s certification process is a rigorous evaluation based on scientific criteria, involving benchmarking, monitoring, and auditing across 10 sustainability indicators. These indicators cover various areas, including energy and water consumption, waste management, carbon footprint analysis, and community engagement.

Ras Al Khaimah’s sustainability certification is particularly noteworthy due to the region’s challenging climate, which requires a robust approach to managing energy and water consumption to meet EarthCheck’s stringent requirements.

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This achievement comes ahead of the United Nations’ climate change conference, COP28, which is all set to be held in the UAE in late November. The conference’s primary focus this year is on achieving a global emissions reduction target of 43 percent by 2030.

Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, stressed the significance of this Silver Certification in Ras Al Khaimah’s goal to become a leader in sustainable tourism in the UAE and the broader region by 2025. He expressed gratitude to the local tourism community for their unwavering commitment to achieving EarthCheck’s Silver Certification, which not only validates Ras Al Khaimah’s dedication to sustainable tourism but also aligns with the ambitious target of welcoming over three million visitors by 2030.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has introduced its own sustainability certification program for tourism businesses known as Responsible RAK, which is powered by EarthCheck’s scientific data. Currently, more than 20 tourism businesses are part of this program, actively measuring their environmental impact and taking concrete steps towards sustainability.

Credit: iStockVarious tourism businesses in Ras Al Khaimah, including attractions, hotels, and tour operators, have already achieved Responsible RAK Silver Certification. These include well-known entities such as Al Hamra Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Jais Flight (home to the world’s longest zipline), SAFARAK Travel and Tour company, Jais Sledder among others.

The emirate is also establishing partnerships with leading operators and developers,who prioritize sustainability, such as Wynn Al Marjan Island, known for its dedication for sustainability best practices, including LEED Platinum and Four Green Globes certifications for its buildings.