We are pleased to announce that our 2023 emission report reflects a remarkable 39% reduction in carbon footprint compared to 2022. This achievement aligns with the UAE’s commitment to sustainability as the host of COP28, where the nation is at the forefront of advancing green mobility infrastructure on a global scale.

‍
As a leading outdoor media company in the UAE, integral to the urban landscape, we recognise the importance of steering the industry towards sustainability. Early on, we forged partnerships with esteemed green collaborators throughout our value stream, solidifying our dedication to providing brands with environmentally friendly Outdoor Advertising solutions.

‍
James Bicknell, CEO of BackLite Media, expressed his enthusiasm about our sustainability progress, stating, “The growing importance of sustainability has been a key focus in recent years. The insights gained from COP28 hosted by the UAE and collaboration with Climate Action UK have been instrumental in enhancing our sustainability efforts. As a market leader in Out-of-Home Advertising, we endeavour to ensure that Environmental, social & governance (ESG) practices are rooted in the company’s daily operations.”

‍

Throughout 2023, we successfully implemented some impactful initiatives:

• Eliminating Single-Use Plastic in Offices: We initiated a significant change by eliminating all single-use plastics in our offices and replacing them with Loch Life, a locally sourced UAE brand aligned with sustainability principles.

‍

• Waste Management & Recycling: Our BackLite 26 initiative involves recycling vinyl used for static media on Sheikh Zayed Road. Teaming up with Ehfaaz Recycling ensures responsible material processing, and we provide brands with recycling certificates

.

• Proactive Carbon Emission Reduction: Our 2023 emission report reveals a commendable ~39% decrease in carbon emissions compared to 2022. Most digital and static unipoles now rely on DEWA grid power, and we are proud to support a hydro project in Turkey.

‍

• Leveraging Media for Sustainability Initiatives: We collaborated with organisations like Gulf for Good and Climate Action to support their noble initiatives this year. Our dynamic content capabilities supported Gulf for Good’s fundraising campaigns, and we served as the Outdoor Media Partner for Climate Action UK’s flagship event, the Climate Action Innovation Zone 2023, to raise awareness for the islands most affected by climate change globally.

‍

• We are officially certified by Great Place to Work: A sustainable company must also provide an exceptional and sustainable workplace. We recently affirmed this commitment through a company-wide survey conducted by Great Place to Work Middle East. At BackLite, our people are the foundation of our success. Their unwavering dedication has transformed our company into an outstanding workplace, encompassing the governance and social aspects of our ESG strategy.

As we close the year, we acknowledge the ongoing journey toward sustainability. While recognising that there is more work to be done, our commitment to concrete and mindful steps ensures progress toward more sustainable solutions in outdoor advertising.
‍

At BackLite, reducing our carbon footprint is of great importance to us. We understand the value of community and the impact that businesses can have on the environment and society. We strive to create sustainable and responsible advertising solutions that not only benefit our clients but also positively contribute to the communities in which our sites are located. We prioritise environmentally friendly practices and actively work to reduce our carbon footprint. We also actively support and partner with local organisations and initiatives that align with our values of sustainability in the OOH industry.
‍

While we can’t address and fix every issue overnight, we have made it our mission to be completely carbon-neutral by 2026, our 30th anniversary. We have begun taking small but significant steps towards this goal, offsetting our carbon emissions for 2021 & 2022 (securing our Carbon Neutrality certificate and Verra-issued certificate), removing all single-use plastic from the office, and continuing the recycling of our vinyl posters. To assist in the process, in 2022, we began working with Olive Gaea to recognise further decarbonisation opportunities.

Olive Gaea is a company pioneering carbon neutrality in the MENA region. With over two decades of experience across multiple industries and the social sector, their founders have shaped their passion for scalable impacts that align with their values and contribute to a sustainable future.

At BackLite, we recognise that companies must take responsibility and work towards sustainability in the OOH industry. We continue to take the initiative to make small but influential changes to reduce our carbon footprint and strive towards a greener future. Through partnerships and conscious decision-making, we are making progress towards our 2026 goal. Our responsibility is to continue prioritising sustainability, and we hope to inspire others in the industry to do the same. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.

Contact us for more information on our initiatives.

‍

‍