Dubai, UAE, August 2026 – Emirates District Cooling Emicool LLC, a leading provider of sustainable district cooling services in the UAE and a joint venture between Dubai Investments and Actis, has unveiled a structured roadmap towards Net Zero operations by 2050. Developed through a data-driven and technically modelled, the roadmap establishes a clear decarbonisation pathway within Emicool’s defined operational boundary.
Based on a 2023 emissions baseline of 183,423 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent tCO₂e, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions, the roadmap is supported by approximately AED 116 million earmarked for energy optimisation initiatives through 2027, alongside Emicool’s broader green financing strategy.
The roadmap sets an interim Board-approved target of a 10% reduction by 2035 against the 2023 baseline as part of a long-term decarbonisation strategy. Significant additional emissions reductions are expected beyond 2035 as low-carbon technologies mature and the UAE’s energy mix continues its transition towards cleaner sources. Emicool’s ambition is to achieve approximately 90% emissions reduction by 2050, with remaining hard-to-abate emissions neutralised only after all feasible direct reductions have been maximised.
Dr. Adib El Moubadder, CEO of Emicool, said: “Sustainability is no longer an option for infrastructure companies, it is a responsibility. Our Net Zero roadmap reflects a long-term commitment to transforming district cooling into a cleaner, smarter and more efficient industry. We are proud to be leading this journey and contributing to the UAE’s vision of building one of the world’s most sustainable economies.”
The roadmap outlines a phased approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through operational efficiency improvements, plant and network optimisation, digital transformation initiatives, renewable energy integration and the adoption of future low-carbon technologies.
As a key enabler of sustainable urban development, district cooling helps improve energy efficiency compared to conventional cooling systems, supporting lower energy consumption across residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Emicool’s roadmap further strengthens this contribution by embedding sustainability into every stage of its operations.
The pathway combines initiatives within Emicool’s operational control with broader sectoral enablers, including the continued decarbonisation of the electricity grid, advances in cooling and energy-efficiency technologies and the increasing availability of low-carbon solutions. Together, these measures are expected to accelerate emissions reductions over the long term and support the achievement of the Company’s Net Zero ambition.
Supporting residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Dubai, Emicool operates 20 district cooling plants with more than 306,000 refrigeration tonnes of connected capacity. The roadmap will be reviewed every five years to reflect technological developments, regulatory changes and operational progress.
About Emirates District Cooling Company EMICOOL:
Emirates District Cooling (Emicool) LLC is a leading district cooling service provider in the UAE. The company was established in 2003 with headquarters at Dubai Investments Park [DIP]. Emicool ensures continuously exceeding customer expectations by providing district cooling services through its competent work force which delivers world-class levels of reliability, efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability. Since its inception, the company has achieved considerable success and currently provides services to Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Dubai Motor City, Dubai Sports City, Midriff Hills, Palazzo Versace & D1 tower, DWTC (Expo 2020), Jumeirah Bay, DAMAC Hills, Al Taif Business Centre and RTA 2020 Route, and Al Reef Cooling L.L.C in Abu Dhabi. Emicool is a Joint Venture between Dubai Investments PJSC and an Actis-led consortium, which also includes British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI).
About Dubai Investments:
Dubai Investments PJSC is a leading investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market with over 15,684 shareholders, a paid-up capital of AED 4.25 billion and total assets of AED 22.7 billion. Incorporated in 1995, the company has grown exponentially with investments in several businesses across diverse sectors. Dubai Investments portfolio includes key businesses with over 30 different companies. Since its inception, Dubai Investments has introduced cutting-edge technologies, pioneering business models, unique investment strategies and innovative concepts, driving progress across key sectors and markets including real estate, building materials, construction and contracting, education, healthcare, financial services and other services.
About Actis:
Actis is a leading growth market investor in sustainable infrastructure. Actis invests in structural themes that aim to support long-term, equitable growth in defensive, critical infrastructure across energy transition, digitalisation transition, and supply chain transformation. Actis believes that the firm’s decades of global experience, operational know-how and strong culture allow it to create global sustainability leaders at scale. Actis is a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), an investor initiative supported by the United Nations. In October 2024, Actis joined forces with General Atlantic, a leading global growth investor, creating a diversified, global investment platform, together we have approximately $107 billion in combined assets under management. Actis operates as General Atlantic’s sustainable infrastructure business. This strategic combination further enhances Actis’ focus as a leader in global sustainable infrastructure.
