The emirate unveils a bold, multi-sector plan to embed sustainability into its economy and environment, promising economic growth alongside environmental preservation by 2050.
Ras Al Khaimah has laid out an ambitious, long-term plan to weave sustainability throughout its economy and natural environment, launching what’s called the Ras Al Khaimah Integrated Sustainability (RIS) Strategy 2050. Basically, the plan expands on the emirate’s earlier focus on energy by adopting a multi-sector approach aimed at securing reliable energy and water supplies, cutting emissions, and safeguarding both land and marine ecosystems.
Andrea Di Gregorio, who serves as the Executive Director for the Sustainable Energy Sector at Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, explained from Reem’s perspective: “The RIS Strategy 2050 pretty much reflects Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term vision of balancing economic development with protecting the environment. Its main goals are to ensure a secure, cost-effective supply of energy and water to support growth, to improve and preserve the environment , so that Ras Al Khaimah’s natural heritage remains intact , and to cut greenhouse gases, preparing the emirate for a low-carbon global market. And, honestly, these goals are tackled through a bunch of programs and initiatives that could really open doors for both the people living here and local businesses.”
According to the official announcement from Ras Al Khaimah authorities, this new strategy builds upon their earlier Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040. While that previous plan mainly focused on transitioning energy sources, the new framework broadens its scope to include things like air quality management, soil and water stewardship, biodiversity preservation, and climate adaptation. These aims are grouped into 13 different programs, covering everything from optimizing gas supplies and deploying renewables, to promoting sustainable transport, decarbonizing industry, and shielding coastal ecosystems.
One of the biggest selling points for the RIS is the economic and social benefits it promises. The municipality argues that implementing this strategy will help lower costs for energy and water, reduce greenhouse gases, and generate jobs in green industries, all while supporting the emirate’s gross domestic product growth. There’s also an emphasis on how RIS can help Ras Al Khaimah stay competitive on the international stage, especially now that global markets seem increasingly interested in low-carbon suppliers.
The whole thing is supported by a formal governance setup. The RAK Sustainability Committee , established via Amiri Decree No. 8 of 2025 , oversees the implementation and brings together key players. Those include Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, the RAK Transport Authority, RAKGAS, and the Environment Protection and Development Authority. Reem is responsible for providing advice and ensuring the strategy’s execution, according to the outlined framework.
This strategy comes at a time of rapid development in Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate’s seeing growth in industries, tourism, and new urban projects, which actually creates opportunities to embed sustainability into infrastructure and community planning from the very beginning. The government’s promotional materials suggest that doing this could make Ras Al Khaimah even more attractive to investors, visitors, and residents , by protecting natural heritage and raising living standards.
Plus, RIS is designed to complement recent initiatives and collaborations. For example, in January 2023, 19 government entities in Ras Al Khaimah achieved ISO 50001 certification for energy management , and authorities called it the first time ever that an entire government had this accreditation worldwide! That achievement was the outcome of a multi-year effort involving retrofitting facilities and building capacity, all linked to the earlier Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040. It signals that the emirate has developed the institutional capacity needed for implementing complex tech projects.
Additionally, aligning with the broader push to make Ras Al Khaimah a sustainable tourism hub is also part of the picture. The emirate has expressed ambitions to lead the region in sustainable tourism by 2025, rolling out over 20 initiatives and investing roughly half a billion dirhams, working with partners like RAK Hospitality Holding and the RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These efforts focus on eco-friendly, adventure, and accessible tourism, aiming to blend conservation priorities with economic opportunities.
On the regional level, energy transition efforts are also gaining momentum. In August 2024, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure signed an MoU with the Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority. This agreement covers joint work on geological and hydrogeological studies, exploring natural hydrogen, evaluating mineralization-based carbon capture, and assessing geothermal resources. Industry experts have pointed out that such collaborations are crucial for integrating local strategies into the national decarbonization agenda and unlocking new low-carbon resource options.
The RIS Strategy also emphasizes alignment with the UAE’s national targets , including the goal of reaching 50% clean energy by 2050 and achieving net-zero emissions. It’s looking at more targeted interventions for specific sectors like industry, government operations, and transportation, quite a bit more detailed than the previous energy strategy. Importantly, there’s a focus on nature-based solutions too, like conserving native plant life and restoring coastal habitats, to help boost biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
Officials are expecting the 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Annual Report to give a more comprehensive picture of early achievements and key metrics. Of course, further details and new partnerships will likely be discussed at the upcoming RAK Energy Summit, scheduled for November 25–27, 2026. This event will bring policymakers and private sector actors together to explore topics such as grid development, digital innovations, carbon markets, and the decarbonization of sectors that are hard to clean up.
Industry insiders will be paying close attention to how well the implementation phase unfolds. Their success will depend on translating these high-level programs into real, measurable results, while also securing funding and assembling the right technical expertise. The previous certification success and collaborations across agencies do lay a solid groundwork , but, you see, achieving all the aims of the RIS will take ongoing coordination among government bodies, utility providers, investors, and community stakeholders.
For the climate tech community in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah’s plan offers both promising market opportunities and a kind of real-world test case for integrated sustainability. If managed correctly, RIS could speed up adoption of energy-efficient tech, renewable energy projects, industrial decarbonization solutions, and nature-based adaptation methods throughout the emirate.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/the-reem-office-of-rak-municipality-sheds-light-on-ras-al-khaimah-integrated-sustainability-strategy-2050-vobbdijb – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/the-reem-office-of-rak-municipality-sheds-light-on-ras-al-khaimah-integrated-sustainability-strategy-2050-vobbdijb – Ras Al Khaimah has launched the Integrated Sustainability (RIS) Strategy 2050, aiming to strengthen economic resilience, protect the environment, and ensure long-term energy and water security. Building upon the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040, the RIS Strategy expands into broader sustainability priorities, including emissions reduction, climate adaptation, air quality, water and soil management, and biodiversity protection. The strategy is expected to deliver substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits, including a positive impact on GDP, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy and water costs, and job creation across green industries.
- https://www.rakmediaoffice.ae/en/media-center/press-releases/ras-al-khaimah-government-is-the-first-in-the-world-to-achieve-iso-50001-energy-management-certification-across-all-of-its-entities/ – In January 2023, 19 entities of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah achieved the ISO 50001 energy management certification, making Ras Al Khaimah the first government globally to have all its entities certified. This accomplishment reflects the government’s continuous efforts to enhance energy efficiency and drive sustainability, culminating from a multi-year program combining asset retrofits with capability upgrades, as part of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040.
- https://www.dayofdubai.com/news/reem-office-of-rak-municipality-highlights-ras-al-khaimah-integrated-sustainability-strategy-2050 – Andrea Di Gregorio, Executive Director of Reem, the Sustainable Energy Sector of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, highlighted the RIS Strategy 2050, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to balancing growth with environmental responsibility. The strategy aims to ensure a secure and cost-competitive supply of energy and water, protect the emirate’s natural heritage and quality of life, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support Ras Al Khaimah’s competitiveness in a low-carbon global market.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/ras-al-khaimah-to-become-the-regional-leader-in-sustainable-tourism-by-2025-hyhv6u0q – Ras Al Khaimah aims to become the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025, focusing on environmental preservation, cultural heritage, and community well-being. The emirate has announced over 20 new sustainable tourism initiatives, marking an investment of half a billion dirhams in partnership with RAK Hospitality Holding and RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These projects centre on nature, leisure, adventure, accessibility, and authenticity, appealing to travellers seeking safe and expansive experiences.
- https://rakenergysummit.rak.ae/ – The RAK Energy Summit 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 November 2026 at the RAK Expo Centre. The summit aims to showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to sustainable energy transition and the UAE’s net-zero targets, addressing critical priorities shaping national and regional decarbonisation pathways, including energy efficiency, renewables, future grids, AI and digitalisation, carbon markets, sustainable mobility, and the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries.
- https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/29/8/2024/ministry-of-energy-and-infrastructure-collaborates-with-rak-petroleum-authority-to-drive-transition – In August 2024, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and the Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority (RAKPA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their partnership within the energy sector. The MoU focuses on sustainable energy transformation, including sharing geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological surveys and studies, conducting research on natural hydrogen, investigating carbon capture via mineralisation, and evaluating geothermal energy potential in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE, supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on January 23, 2026, which is recent. However, the content heavily references previous initiatives and strategies, such as the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040 and the ISO 50001 certification achieved in January 2023. This suggests that while the article is recent, much of the information may be recycled from earlier reports, potentially affecting its originality.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes a direct quote from Andrea Di Gregorio, Executive Director of Reem, the Sustainable Energy Sector of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. However, this quote appears in multiple sources, including a press release from July 2025. This repetition raises concerns about the originality and freshness of the content. Additionally, the exact wording of the quote varies slightly between sources, which could indicate paraphrasing or selective quoting.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from Zawya, a news platform that aggregates content from various sources. While Zawya is a known platform, its reliance on aggregated content means that the original sources of the information are not always clear. This lack of transparency can affect the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with Ras Al Khaimah’s known sustainability initiatives, such as the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040 and the ISO 50001 certification achieved in January 2023. However, the article’s heavy reliance on previously reported information without introducing new data or developments raises questions about the novelty and depth of the reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information on Ras Al Khaimah’s sustainability initiatives, but it heavily relies on previously reported content and aggregated sources, raising concerns about its originality and depth. The use of recycled information and the lack of independent verification from other reputable sources further diminish its credibility. Therefore, the article does not meet the necessary standards for publication.
