the world's greenest city

Where would you expect the first totally 'green' and carbon neutral city to be planned? Somewhere like Sweden, or perhaps another European country where being carbon neutral is de rigeur? Well, you'd be wrong. It's actually Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The area, which as we all know is better known for oil reserves, themselves not the most envirnonmentally friendly products, is apparently pouring billions into renewable- and sustainable-energy technologies to build the world's first zero-emission city, The city is geared up to be

"a metropolis that emits not a single extra molecule of carbon dioxide -- the cause of global warming".

The World Wildlife Fund and Masdar, The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, this week launched a “Sustainability Action Plan” to deliver the world’s greenest city – Masdar City. Located near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, aiming to exceed the 10 sustainability principles of “One Planet Living™”– a global initiative launched by the Worldwide Fund for Nature and environmental consultancy BioRegional.

Masdar City’s electricity will be generated by photovoltaic panels, while cooling will be provided via concentrated solar power. Water will be provided through a solar-powered desalination plant. Landscaping within the city and crops grown outside the city will be irrigated with grey water and treated waste water produced by the city’s water treatment plant.

The city is part of the Masdar Initiative, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted investment in the exploration, development and commercialisation of future energy sources and clean technology solutions. The six-square kilometre city, growing eventually to 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents, will be home to international business and top minds in the field of sustainable and alternative energy.

A model of the Masdar City will be unveiled on January 21, at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Ground breaks for the construction of the city in the first quarter of 2008.

The targets for this ambitious city are:

• Zero Carbon: 100% of energy supplied by renewable energy – Photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, waste to energy and other technologies
• Zero Waste: 99% diversion of waste from landfill (includes waste reduction measures, re-use of waste wherever possible, recycling, composting, waste to energy)
• Sustainable transport: Zero carbon emissions from transport within the city; implementation of measures to reduce the carbon cost of journeys to the city boundaries (through facilitating and encouraging the use of Public transport, vehicle sharing, supporting low emissions vehicle initiatives)
• Sustainable Materials: Specifying high recycled materials content within building products; tracking and encouraging the reduction of embodied energy within materials and throughout the construction process; specifying the use of sustainable materials such as Forest Stewardship Council certified timber, bamboo and other products
• Sustainable food: Retail outlets to meet targets for supplying organic food and sustainable and or fair trade products
• Sustainable Water: Per capita water consumption to be at least 50% less than the national average; all waste water to be re-used
• Habitats and Wildlife: All valuable species to be conserved or relocated with positive mitigation targets
• Culture and Heritage: Architecture to integrate local values.
• Equity and Fair Trade: Fair wages and working conditions for all workers (including construction) as defined by international labour standards
• Health and Happiness: Facilities and events for every demographic group

Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director of WWF International’s One Planet Living initiative, said:

“Abu Dhabi is embarking on a journey to become the global capital of the renewable energy revolution. Abu Dhabi is the first hydrocarbon-producing nation to have taken such a significant step towards sustainable living.

“Masdar is an example of the paradigm shift that is needed. The strategic vision of the Abu Dhabi government is a case study in global leadership. We hope that Masdar City will prove that sustainable living can be affordable and attractive in all aspects of human living – from businesses and manufacturing facilities to universities and private homes,”