Small-Scale Projects. Buildings. Energy. Events, Conferences and Declarations. Government Agencies. The Finnish Institute of International Affairs » Latest blog ite. Abu Dhabi's green move gathers pace. Abu Dhabi The UAE's response to global warming begins at home. Last month the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) launched a $5 billion initiative to establish the world's first totally green city in Abu Dhabi. The development extending over six square kil-ometres plans to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions and zero waste and includes plans to invest $350 million in solar energy generation.
The new city is scheduled for completion by late 2009, and comes as part of a series of projects adopted by the emirate recently to curb the greenhouse gas effect on the climate. Abu Dhabi also plans a 100-megawatt solar power plant. Solar power is a growing global trend among environment-conscious investors. The plant will be expandable to 500 mega-watts, with a target to generate enough power for 500,000 households. The initiative also makes sense economically, says one expert. The impact on the region's ecological system, water resources and health could be catastrophic. Environment Analyst | Winning work in the Middle East. Web Feed ( Business is booming for environmental consultants in the Middle East.
Environment Analyst looks at the development of services and what's driving demand 12-Nov-08 Erin Gill speaks to consultants with experience in the region The economic boom may be over in Europe and North America, but in the Middle East the good times show little sign of coming to an end. The International Monetary Fund’s forecast for 2009 suggests a GDP growth rate for the region of 6.6%. One side effect of the Middle East’s strong economic growth is increasing demand for the services offered by environmental consultants. As UK and European markets for environmental consultancy grow more uncertain, the Middle East’s appetite for environmental expertise is expanding rapidly, both in terms of the volume of work available and the type of services required. Every once in a while a more significant piece of work would crop up, such as Atkins’ first job in the region.
Carbon Finance. Climate Progress. Joint science academies’ statement: Global response to climate c. 07 June 2005The national science academies of the G8 nations and Brazil, China and India, three of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the developing world, have signed a statement on the global response to climate change. The statement stresses that the scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action and calls on world leaders, including those meeting at the G8 summit at Gleneagles in July 2005, to do the following. Acknowledge that the threat of climate change is clear and increasing Launch an international study to explore scientifically-informed targets for atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, and their associated emissions scenarios, that will enable nations to avoid impacts deemed unacceptable. Identify cost-effective steps that can be taken now to contribute to substantial and long-term reduction in net global greenhouse gas emissions.