In an era where climate pledges are abundant and the urgency of our environmental crisis becomes ever more apparent, the time for talk is over, and actionable decisions that result in tangible change must become the norm. As urban populations continue to rise at pace, cities have been identified as some of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 50% of the global population live in cities, and these cities are responsible for 80% of global GDP. Consequently, cities generate more than two thirds of global carbon dioxide emissions. Policymakers and city planners need to put reducing emissions at the forefront of their planning, incorporating energy saving technologies, sustainable living practices and intelligent waste management into everything they do.

As cities expand, so do their energy needs, infrastructure demands, and waste production, all of which heighten the difficulty of achieving net-zero targets. Cities around the globe are adopting measures like retrofitting buildings, expanding green spaces, and overhauling public transportation systems. Yet, despite these efforts, the complexity of urban ecosystems means that achieving a balance between growth and sustainability remains a significant challenge. Initiatives like the COP29 Presidency’s Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) to Resilient and Healthy Cities demonstrate the importance the global taskforce is putting on building sustainability into our urban areas. Tackling this problem will require not only local initiatives but also collaborative international efforts to create scalable and effective solutions for reducing urban emissions.

A study published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2023 explains that without widespread adoption of green building codes and aggressive retrofitting programs, emissions from buildings alone could derail global net-zero targets. At COP28, global policymakers announced new partnerships and initiatives to advance sustainable urban development. The initiatives encourage governments to help finance sustainable urban developments and retrofitting programs as well as tackling methane pollution caused by inefficient waste management.

In our industry the question is simple, but the answer is not: Can cities realistically achieve net-zero emissions? The practicalities of such commitments are often debated, yet at Masdar City, we have transformed ambitious goals into tangible realities. Our journey offers a ‘greenprint’ for other urban centers aspiring to achieve similar feats. We must deliver on the UAE’s COP28 consensus to start the transition away from fossil fuels – one of the most significant outcomes of any COP so far.

Since founding in 2008, Masdar City in Abu Dhabi has been pushing the boundaries of sustainable urban development by adopting a holistic approach to resilience and economic viability. Through a combination of sustainable building practices and financial incentives, the city is becoming a go-to location for sustainability conscious companies looking for business friendly hubs to set up in. For example, Siemens moved into Abu Dhabi’s first LEED Platinum-certified building in the heart of Masdar City. This paved the way for other companies to follow in Siemens’ footsteps – hitting ESG goals while still maximizing the business’s bottom line. Today, Masdar City is home to one of the largest collection of LEED Platinum buildings globally, incorporating energy-saving features and renewable energy sources into its buildings such as the NZ1 building, which generates more energy than it consumes.

With COP29 underway, policymakers must start to champion sustainable urban environments if we are to have a chance of meeting our net-zero commitments. The scientific evidence is clear – cities are a major contributor to global emissions. Masdar City and other similar projects demonstrate that thoughtful design and strategic energy innovation can mitigate these challenges. Our successes show that net-zero is not just an achievable goal, but one that must urgently be replicated across the world to reach net-zero in time.

To Download the White Paper: From vision to reality: Masdar City’s journey to net-zero