Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 9:44:08 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Arabs Building First Green City

Posted Feb 10, 08 5:14 PM CST in Technology,  World 

(Newser) – Earth's first carbon-free city is being built in the United Arab Emirates and will take 8 years and $22 billion to complete, the BBC reports. Called Masdar City, it will run on solar power and shuttle residents on travel pods via magnetic tracks. But critics say the $22 billion project, funded by the city of Abu Dhabi, belies the oil-rich emirate's overall gobbling of resources.

A green city of 50,000 residents and 1,500 businesses would also do little to reduce Abu Dhabi's sky-high oil consumption, and will likely become a hermetic haven for the rich, experts say. The city is nonetheless part of a $15 billion, 5-year green plan and will monetize all of its carbon cutbacks. "Such innovative financing has never been applied to the scale of an entire city," Masdar's chief exec said.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
From left to right, UAE Minister of Energy Mohammad bin Dhaen Al Hamli, U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman and Vivienne Cox Chief Executive of BP Alternative Energy take part at the keynote session 1...   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shiek Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, at the Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition and Masdar Exhibition at the Emirates...   (Associated Press)
Masdar City is the largest sustainability project ever launched by a government.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

Abu Dhabi • clean energy • United Arab Emirates • green • biotechnology • sustainability


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »