Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad... Photo courtsey of the Egyptian cabinet
The achievement marks the first time Egypt has applied comprehensive carbon footprint accounting to a national mega-project.
The move reflects directives from the country’s leadership to integrate climate action into major developments and align them with Egypt Vision 2030 and the National Climate Change Strategy 2050.
The certification covers the museum’s operations during 2023 and 2024, as well as emissions associated with the opening ceremony, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment Manal Awad said.
“This step confirms that climate action has become an integral part of state decision-making and that national projects are being implemented in line with the highest international sustainability standards,” she said.
Awad added that the carbon-neutrality certificates, issued by the Ministry of Environment and registered with the United Nations Secretariat, strengthen Egypt’s international standing and add value to the tourism and investment sectors.
She noted that the Grand Egyptian Museum is the first site in Egypt to have its environmental compliance formally documented through a report issued by an accredited national body with legal recognition.
The minister said the process relied on verified emissions-reduction credits generated from Clean Development Mechanism projects implemented in Egypt between 2005 and 2020, ensuring transparency and environmental credibility.
She added that the approach will be extended to other national projects through continued cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the museum’s management.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the museum represents a global model for sustainable cultural tourism, describing the outcome as a successful example of coordination among government institutions.
He noted that the environmental impact of the opening ceremony remained within internationally accepted limits.
Fathy said Egypt is working to embed environmental responsibility across the tourism and antiquities sectors, citing the adoption of sustainability standards by hotel facilities, particularly in Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as expanded use of clean energy, reduced plastic consumption, and environmental requirements for diving centres and tourism activities.
He added that several museums and archaeological sites, including the Giza Pyramids area, already apply such standards.
Ahmed Ghoneim, chief executive of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, said receiving the verification report sends a clear message that the opening ceremony was organized under a rigorous and transparent system for measuring emissions.
He added that the museum aims to go beyond green building certifications by serving as a platform for environmental awareness through eco-friendly operations and educational content.
Officials said the Grand Egyptian Museum now stands not only as the world’s largest antiquities museum, but also as a national and global example of how heritage preservation can advance alongside environmental responsibility.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of Egypt’s largest cultural and heritage projects and the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. Located on the Giza Plateau, about two kilometres from the Pyramids, the museum is designed to serve as a global hub for archaeology, conservation, research, and sustainable cultural tourism.
Conceived as a key pillar of Egypt’s cultural diplomacy and tourism strategy, GEM houses more than 100,000 artefacts dating from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman era.
Its collection includes, for the first time, the complete funerary assemblage of King Tutankhamun displayed together in one venue, alongside monumental statues, royal mummies, and rare artefacts from across ancient Egypt.
Short link: