World’s first carbon-neutral mosque in Dubai sets new benchmark for sustainable architecture

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that Al Rayyan Mosque in Hatta has become the world’s first place of worship to be awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Zero Carbon certification from the US Green Buildings Council. The mosque achieved this by offsetting 175% of its yearly carbon emissions, allowing it to actively contribute to environmental recovery – a global model for sustainable architecture.

The milestone is the mosque’s third world record in energy leadership and environmental design. Back in 2021, it became the first mosque globally to receive LEED Platinum certification under LEED v4, scoring an impressive 83 points for its sustainable design. Then, in 2024, it earned the LEED Zero Energy certification, producing 150% of its energy needs through highly efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and sending the surplus back to the grid. The cloud base monitoring system’s PV panels have a total capacity of 158kWp. Moreover, the 2025 certification stands as a pioneering example of how places of worship can lead in environmental restoration and climate-positive design.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, expressed his pride in this new global achievement, highlighting how it reinforces DEWA’s leadership in sustainable building design, supports the UAE’s and Dubai’s strategic vision for urban sustainability and advances national and global goals to achieve net zero by 2050.

A view of Dewa's Al Rayyan Mosque in Hatta.

“Under the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we work to reach a greener future. At DEWA, we are proud to translate this vision into reality – advancing climate action, sustainable urban development and the UAE’s journey towards net zero. Al Rayyan Mosque contributes to creating a positive and sustainable impact on the environment, making it a model for sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings worldwide,” said Al Tayer.

“Our efforts align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the comprehensive and sustainable development plan in Hatta. We are keen to fulfil all our economic, social and environmental commitments, and to support efforts to make Dubai an advanced and sustainable future city that relies on the latest technologies to preserve natural resources, enhance electricity and water efficiency, and improve quality of life. DEWA is among the first organisations in Dubai to adopt the concept of green buildings. Today, we have 10 green buildings with an LEED rating and are committed to increasing the number of sustainable buildings that take into account environmental aspects in their design and are powered by clean and renewable energy,” Al Tayer added.

Built to the highest international standards, the mosque ensures no leakage of air, water or heat. Its high-performance heatproof glass and efficient facade minimise air conditioning demand and carbon emissions while the extensive use of daylight reduces overall energy consumption. Roofing and non-roofing materials were selected based on their Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) to mitigate the heat island effect. All water heaters are solar powered.

Spanning 1,050 square metres and accommodating more than 600 worshippers, the mosque exemplifies environmental sustainability. It has a 25-metre minaret, car and bike parking, accessible facilities for People of Determination, a green charger station, solar panels and a water treatment unit for irrigation and cleaning. DEWA applied international best practice to ensure a healthy indoor environment by installing advanced air purification systems and using recycled construction materials.