-
-
UAE seeks to ditch oil for alternative energy
The previously negative attitude of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to climate change shifted in 2007, as the UAE led several members of the organisation to take a positive lead in developing alternative energies, and began investment in technologies like carbon capture and carbon storage. "Abu Dhabi is now selling an environmentally-conscious image and wants to be a leader in alternative energy,"the UAE has made a significant shift in its thinking when it ceased to be frightened of the consequences of both climate change and climate change mitigation.Up till 2007the UAE had focused on its vulnerability to climate change mitigation as world markets moved to accommodate the new measures to combat climate change.
These would impact the UAE mainly through a highly variable oil price, and possible long-term shift away from use of hydro-carbons, both damaging to the present economy of the UAE.The UAE had also has largely ignored the future impact of climate change on its national security, from the potential threats of rising temperatures, falling water resources, and potentially elevated sea levels.The old style of thinking was still present as recently as December 2007 when the UAE's address to the UN conference on climate change in Bali was mostly full of progressive thinkingexcept for the section that argued that the interests of economies based principally on fossil fuels had not been sufficiently addressed in the negotiations, and demanded that no additional obligations should be placed on developing countries that would impede their development.
In the last six months, however, the impact of the UAE's interest in alternative technologies has come to the fore, exemplified by the launch of Abu Dhabi's Masdar project earlier this year. Masdar is made up of various projects on alternative energy and carbon management, and included building a "totally green city" of 50,000 residents and 1,500 businesses by 2016.
The previously negative attitude of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to climate change shifted in 2007, as the UA... more -
Future Man
Jacque Fresco is a genius, architect, engineer, designer of cities and transportation modes, inventor, economist, philosopher and futurist. Did I mention that he has comprehensive plans to redesign the world? Jacque Fresco is a genius, architect, engineer, designer of cities and transportation modes, inventor, economist, philosopher and futu... more
-
Abu Dhabi Masdar, zero carbon city.
"In April, 2006, the government of Abu Dhabi launched the Masdar Initiative, a landmark program to establish an entirely new economic sector dedicated to alternative and sustainable energy.
The Masdar Initiative offers a proactive response to today's energy and environmental challenges and is being driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a company wholly-owned by the government of Abu Dhabi through Mubadala Development Company. "
The planned Masdar City, which means "the source" in Arabic, will be the home to some 47,500 residents.
Masdar City is to be multi-level, with a light rail on one level moving people in and out of the city with pedestrians at ground level. In addition to solar power, wind turbines and waste-to-energy plants will be employed to generate power. "In April, 2006, the government of Abu Dhabi launched the Masdar Initiative, a landmark program to establish an entirely new economic ... more -
Green city to rise in the desert
Emirate Abu Dhabi is moving ahead with a large-scale project to build Masdar City -- a "green city" near the Abu Dhabi airport. Masdar City, expected to cost $20 billion and ten years to complete, will be a unique urban project that will be car-free, solar-powered, and feature advanced recycling facilities. Residents and visitors will get around on a light-rail system powered by solar energy in an eco-friendly city constructed with a contemporary design aesthetic. Read more in Craig and Marc Kielburger's contribution on this story in the Toronto Star. Emirate Abu Dhabi is moving ahead with a large-scale project to build Masdar City -- a "green city" near the Abu Dhabi airport. Masdar... more
-
Work starts on Gulf 'green city'
Figures that a green city is being built in area where there is vast supplies of oil!
-
Ferrari theme park opening in Abu Dhabi
New theme park for car lovers.
-
Masdar poised to be worlds first totally green community
Abu Dhabi officials have scheduled the 6 Square Kilometer area to be open in 2009. Their goal is to have a zero carbon footprint for the entire community Abu Dhabi officials have scheduled the 6 Square Kilometer area to be open in 2009. Their goal is to have a zero carbon footprint for t... more
-
related topics
Abu Dhabi
Contributors (41)
Abu Dhabi
