GITEX GLOBAL 2023: Masdar City, Huawei partner to boost net zero efforts

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Masdar City and Huawei have joined forces through a memorandum of understanding at GITEX GLOBAL 2023 to enable knowledge-sharing and capacity-building in net-zero development.

The agreement will help reduce the carbon footprint of Masdar City’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, and promote the adoption of carbon-conscious ICT through Huawei’s Net Zero Campus Framework.

The framework, released earlier this year, is designed to help organisations reduce the energy demand of ICT systems and operations while switching to clean energy.

Masdar City, already home to one of the largest clusters of LEED Platinum buildings in the world, has three net-zero energy buildings currently under construction, the first of which will be completed in October 2023. Huawei is home to several low-carbon campuses and is creating new technologies to support sustainability as one of their strategic priorities.

“Masdar City already develops the most high-performing, energy-efficient buildings in the region,” said Mohamed Al Breiki, Masdar City’s executive director of sustainable real estate. “Optimising ICT systems is a vital step in reducing our energy demand even further and cutting tech-related carbon emissions. This is yet another way for us to help lead the way for other cities who want to chart a course to net-zero.”

Huawei Net Zero Campus Framework to be leveraged

Safder Nazir, SVP Public sector, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia. “Through this MOU, we aim to empower knowledge-sharing, promote the drive toward carbon-conscious ICT to reduce tech-related carbon emissions, and promote Huawei’s Net Zero Campus Framework. We recognise that technological innovation plays a crucial role in sustainable development, and this collaboration with Masdar City will set a benchmark for the cities and campuses of the future.

In addition to optimising existing ICT systems at Masdar City, the tech company will advise on Masdar City’s upcoming Command and Control Center, which will feed data related to energy, water, and waste management in all Masdar City-owned buildings to a central location. This will allow facilities managers to monitor and improve building performance in real-time.

Masdar City will look for opportunities to amplify the Net Zero Campus Framework, launched earlier this year to support organisations that wish to decarbonise.