|
| |
Masdar Project
WWF and
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Initiative unveil plan for world’s first carbon-neutral,
waste-free, car-free city
“Masdar City” to be flagship of WWF One Planet Living Programme
Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates, 13 January 2008 -
The WWF and
Masdar, The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, today 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.
Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director of WWF International’s One Planet Living
initiative, said: “Today 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,” Jeanreneaud continued.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Masdar Initiative, said: “Masdar City will
question conventional patterns of urban development, and set new benchmarks for
sustainability and environmentally friendly design – the students, faculty and
businesses located in Masdar City will not only be able to witness innovation
first-hand, but they will also participate in its development.”
“We are pleased to be able to work with One Planet Living to make our vision a
reality,” he said.
Pooran Desai OBE, co-founder of BioRegional and Technical Director of the One
Planet Living Communities programme, said Masdar would be the largest and the
most advanced sustainable communities in the world.
“The vision of One Planet Living is a world where people everywhere can lead
happy, healthy lives within their fair share of the Earth’s resources. Masdar
gives us a breathtaking insight into this positive, alternative future.
“In realising the goal of a sustainable future, Masdar is committed to
surpassing the One Planet Living Program’s 10 Guiding Principles, covering
issues that range from how waste is dealt with to the energy performance of the
buildings.”
The One Planet Living programme is based on 10 unique principles of
sustainability. Masdar City will meet and exceed each of these, as detailed
below.
These targets are to be achieved by the time the Masdar City is completed and
fully functioning in 2015.
One Planet Living principle Masdar Target
ZERO CARBON: 100 per cent of energy supplied by renewable energy – Photovoltaics,
concentrated solar power, wind, waste to energy and other technologies
ZERO WASTE: 99 per cent 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 per cent 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
In June 2007, Masdar City received the first World Clean Energy Award from the
Transatlantic21 Association in Basel, Switzerland. In September 2007, the city’s
design was voted “Sustainable Region/ City of the Year” at Euromoney and Ernst &
Young’s Global Renewable Energy Awards.
|
