A Masdar Initiative

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) has the fifth largest proven oil reserves in the Middle East (Country Analysis Briefs: United Arab Emirates).

“The emirate of Abu Dhabi is the center of the oil and gas industry” (Country Analysis Briefs: United Arab Emirates).

The UAE has the second largest economy in the entire Middle East, with Abu Dhabi bringing in approximately 80% of its income through oil revenues (Country Analysis Briefs: United Arab Emirates).

Abu Dhabi remains a major supplier of non-renewable energy sources to the Middle East as well as other parts of the world.

Has a high number of C02 emissions and numerous environmental issues contributing to the growing ecological problem.

Map of the UAE (CEMC)

(Country Analysis Briefs: United Arab Emirates)

Natural Gas

Oil

(Country Analysis Briefs: United Arab Emirates)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions (2004E)

141 million metric tons, 57% NaturalGas, 43% Oil, 0% Coal

Per-Capita, Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions (2004E)

56 metric tons

Carbon Dioxide Intensity (2004E) 2.2 Metric tons per thousand $2000-PPP**

Environmental Issues lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Major Environmental Agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

“In April 2006, Abu Dhabi took a bold and historic decision to embrace renewable and sustainable energy technology” (Masdar).

Most ecological city in the world:

Zero waste

Zero emissions

Less Power

Less water usage

Dependence on renewable energy sources

Population: 50,000 people

1,500 businesses :

commercial and manufacturing of environment-friendly products

40,000 workers commuting daily.

Birth of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology which will be assisted by MIT (Masdar Institute).

Overview of Masdar City (Masdar)

Model of Masdar City (Masdar)

Transportation:

All automobiles will be banned within the city.

Transportation will be provided via public mass transit and personal rapid transit systems, with roads and railways connecting to location outside the city (Nick).

Water:

Provided through a solar-powered desalination plant (BBC News).

Water needs will be 60% lower (BBC News).

Electricity:

Generated by photovoltaic panels (WWF News Centre).

The city will use wind, solar, and geothermal energy in order to cut its electricity (Hamner).

Zero Waste:

Biological waste will be used to create fertilizer, and some may be used as an additional power source through waste incarceration (Palca).

Industrial wastes such as metal and plastic will be recycled (Palca).

Transit Cars (Masdar)

Construction for Masdar city began early 2008, and is set to be completed and running by 2012 (WWF News Centre).

This project will cost $22 billion.

The project is supported by the global conservation charity World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the sustainability group BioRegional (WWF News Centre).

WWF and BioRegional have endorsed Masdar city as a One Planet Living Community.

For more information please visit:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=yWVsi0UtmgI&feature=related

Model of Masdar City (Masdar)

Hamner, Susanna. “World’s first carbon-free city”. CNN Money. 6 Aug. 2007. 20 Sep. 2008 <http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/08/01/100138819/i ndex.htm>

Masdar. Masdar Initiative. 19 Sep. 2008 <http://www.masdaruae.com/

Masdar Institute. Masdar Initiative. 19 Sep. 2008 <http.masdaruae.com/text/institute.aspx>

Nick. “Masdar City, The Green City”. Ecofuss. 19 Jan. 2008. WordPress. 20 Sep. 2008 <http://ecofuss.com/masdar-city-the-green-city/>

Palca, Joe. “Abu Dhabi Aims to Build First Carbon-Neutral City”. CLIMATE CONNECTIONS: SOLUTIONS. 6 May 2008. NPR. 18 Sep. 2008 <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90042092>

United Arab Emirates”. COUNTRY ANALYSIS BRIEFS. July 2007. Energy Information Administration. 17 Sep. 2008 <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/UAE/Full.html>

“Work starts on Gulf ‘green city’”. BBC News. 10 Feb. 2008. 19 Sep. 2008<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7237672.stm>

“WWF, Abu Dhabi unveil plans for sustainable city”. WWF News Centre. 13 Jan. 2008. 21 Sep. 2008 <http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=121361>

“United Arab Emirates”. COUNTRY ANALYSIS BRIEFS. July 2007. Energy Information Administration. 17 Sep. 2008 <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/UAE/Full.html>