Masdar City’s Mohamed Al Breiki on its net-zero journey

Masdar City, a pioneering urban development in Abu Dhabi, stands as a global leader in sustainable city design and innovation. With its commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency, Masdar City has integrated cutting-edge technologies and green building practices to create a model for future urban living. At the heart of its infrastructure are sustainable practices that prioritise energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource management, ensuring that both environmental and economic goals are met.

In this interview with Mohamed Al Breiki, executive director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City, we explore the city’s ongoing efforts to balance rapid growth with sustainability. He shares Masdar City’s groundbreaking green building certifications, such as LEED Platinum, and the role of the UAE’s vision for net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the discussion looks into the city’s innovative energy solutions, including its solar power plant, energy-efficient cooling systems, and investment in green hydrogen technology, all contributing to the city’s bold vision for a sustainable future.

As we look towards global climate initiatives and the outcomes of COP28, Masdar City’s approach to urban development and sustainability provides valuable insights for other cities around the world striving to reach net-zero goals. Join us as we learn about Masdar City’s journey from “vision to reality”, and how its model is shaping the future of urban living, today.

What are the key sustainable building practices and energy-efficient technologies integrated into Masdar City’s infrastructure?

At Masdar City, we’ve designed everything with sustainability in mind. We combine thoughtful design with cutting-edge technology to show how sustainable cities can lead the way.

First, we incorporate low-carbon, passive design into our initial plans. For example, our buildings use high-performance facades that keep out the heat while letting in plenty of natural light, cutting back on the need for cooling and artificial lighting. We also try to ensure that windows do not face east or west — the direction the sun travels over the city — reducing the amount of direct sunlight that can enter a building so that less cooling is required. Passive cooling features like wind towers and narrow, shaded streets naturally keep the area cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning by up to 40%.

Once we have maximized such passive design features, we look into technical solutions to help keep energy consumption low and mitigate the high temperatures during the summer months. Our advanced HVAC systems and IoT-enabled sensors help us track and manage energy use in real-time.

Masdar City is much more than green buildings. It is a place of innovation, driven by the UAE’s ambitious net-zero vision. Masdar City’s infrastructure, transport, and culture are all centred around creating a more sustainable future for everyone.

Masdar City uses clean energy generated on-site from the 10MW solar power plant and 1MW of rooftop solar panels installed on buildings, supplying the national grid. We’ve also implemented smart grids to distribute electricity more efficiently, seamlessly balancing supply and demand.

The city also offers multiple clean, smart transit options and a fleet of electric buses for residents and visitors to use while travelling around the city.

We are also working with key partners on an initiative to establish a demonstrator plant at Masdar City to explore the development of green hydrogen and sustainable fuels for transport, shipping, and aviation sectors.

We are committed to developing a sustainable market for green hydrogen in the UAE as a reliable source of fuel through international partnerships between the public and private sectors.

How does Masdar City balance rapid growth with sustainability, particularly in terms of reducing carbon emissions?

Masdar City tackles the challenges of rapid growth by integrating sustainability into every part of its development. In doing so, we are always one step ahead, planning for expansion and putting the city’s growth strategy at the heart of everything we do. This means we are not retrofitting later down the line. Our compact, walkable neighbourhoods are designed to limit urban sprawl, making it easier for people to access work, homes, and amenities while reducing the need for extensive transport infrastructure.

To support sustainable lifestyles, the city offers extensive green spaces and cycling paths, encouraging low-impact mobility options that align with its environmental goals to reduce carbon emissions.

Our buildings are designed with airtight facades and passive cooling techniques to lower energy consumption, while construction prioritises locally sourced, low-carbon materials to reduce environmental impact from the outset. Rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient systems ensure that operations are powered by clean energy, demonstrating how renewable solutions are embedded across the city.

At Masdar City, we take into account the entire life cycle of a building — from construction and maintenance during its use to its demolition. We meticulously forecast emissions at each stage so that we can embed emission mitigation along every step.

By combining thoughtful urban planning with cutting-edge sustainability solutions, Masdar City is managing growth responsibly while contributing to the UAE’s goal of cutting carbon emissions by 31 per cent by 2030.

How does the city’s emphasis on green building certifications contribute to its overall sustainability goals?

Masdar City is home to one of the world’s largest groups of LEED Platinum-certified buildings, setting the bar for environmental standards. Take the Siemens Middle East headquarters, for example—it’s LEED Platinum-certified and uses 63 per cent less energy than a typical office building. These certifications aren’t just about checking boxes; they ensure buildings are energy-efficient, water-smart, and eco-friendly, cutting carbon footprints and operating costs simultaneously.

On top of that, Masdar City uses the Estidama Pearl Rating System, designed specifically for the UAE’s climate, to push sustainability even further with benchmarks for green construction. These certified buildings don’t just help Masdar City achieve its net-zero goals—they also make it a magnet for environmentally conscious businesses and ESG-focused investors, aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility.

These projects make a valuable contribution to the UAE’s decarbonisation efforts.

How has Masdar City addressed obstacles like energy needs, infrastructure demands, and waste management to meet net-zero goals?

Masdar City tackles these challenges with smart, practical solutions that integrate sustainability into every part of its operations. For energy needs, we first prioritise energy efficiency through passive design before calculating how much clean energy we will need to generate for the operation of a building.

Low-carbon solutions are more cost-effective and require no maintenance. The city then relies on renewable sources like rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient systems, all supported by smart grids that ensure power is distributed effectively and nothing goes to waste.

When it comes to infrastructure, the city is designed for long-term resilience. Buildings incorporate thermal energy storage systems to manage cooling demand effectively and use materials selected for their durability and low-carbon footprint. Additionally, the city integrates district cooling systems, which are up to 50 per cent more energy-efficient than traditional cooling methods, providing sustainable climate control for residents and businesses.

Streets and public spaces are designed with shading and greenery to reduce the urban heat island effect, creating a more comfortable environment while lowering the energy demand for cooling. These features show how Masdar City’s infrastructure is built not just to meet today’s needs but to ensure a sustainable future for decades to come.

Waste management is another key focus. Recycling programmes and greywater systems, which reuse wastewater for irrigation, help cut down on waste and water use. These initiatives have significantly reduced the amount of waste going to landfills, aligning with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy.

By combining these efforts, Masdar City proves that sustainable urbanisation isn’t just achievable — it’s also cost-effective

How does Masdar City align with international initiatives announced at COP28, and what role does collaboration play in your approach?

At COP28, initiatives such as Buildings Breakthrough, Cement Breakthrough and partnerships aimed at transforming urban systems were announced, focusing on critical areas such as waste management, water, and transport. The Buildings Breakthrough, for instance, aims to make near-zero-emissions and climate-resilient buildings the norm by 2030 — something Masdar City has been working toward with its energy-efficient and sustainable designs.

Similarly, the focus on nature-based solutions and water resilience ties in with Masdar City’s efforts to integrate green spaces and smart water management systems across its developments.

Collaboration is central to Masdar City’s strategy. The city hosts the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) headquarters, fostering international cooperation on clean energy initiatives. Additionally, partnerships with industry leaders have enabled Masdar to pilot innovative energy solutions, such as energy storage systems and green hydrogen technologies, contributing to the global transition away from fossil fuels.

Furthermore, Masdar City’s Free Zone attracts ESG-focused businesses worldwide, creating a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. This ecosystem supports the development and implementation of sustainable technologies, reinforcing the objectives outlined at COP28.

By aligning its initiatives with COP28’s outcomes, Masdar City exemplifies how collaborative efforts can drive scalable solutions in sustainable urban development and renewable energy adoption.

Can you share the key insights from the white paper, From Vision to Reality: Masdar City’s Journey to Net Zero, and how it can guide other cities?

The white paper, From Vision to Reality: Masdar City’s Journey to Net Zero, offers valuable insights from over 15 years of pioneering sustainable urban development. It underscores the importance of integrating sustainability from the outset, balancing environmental, social, and economic priorities. For example, Masdar City’s buildings save up to 50 per cent on water consumption and 40 per cent on cooling energy compared to conventional designs, thanks to smart strategies like high-performance insulation and advanced water recycling systems. This vision has guided Masdar City from the very beginning, shaping a development that integrates every aspect of sustainability — environmental, social, and economic — into its core.

The white paper also tackles challenges like embodied carbon, recommending supply chain engagement, innovative technologies, and nature-based solutions like mangrove planting.

These examples highlight a scalable model for cities worldwide aiming to reach net zero. Our success lies in addressing sustainability comprehensively, ensuring that no dimension — whether energy efficiency, resource management, or community wellbeing — is overlooked.

Our approach has always been to learn by doing—testing innovative ideas, refining them, and adapting to challenges along the way. This willingness to experiment has been key to our success. Collaboration features prominently as a driver of success. The Siemens building achieved LEED Platinum certification, demonstrating that green construction can be cost-effective. It operates 63 per cent more efficiently than standard offices, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to come with a price premium.

These achievements reflect the broader holistic approach Masdar City embraces, ensuring that sustainability is not an isolated goal but embedded in every layer of design and operation.

Similarly, the IRENA headquarters earned Abu Dhabi’s first 4-Pearl Estidama rating by combining high-efficiency systems with user-focused design. The recently delivered NZ1 building further pushes boundaries, achieving net-zero energy with innovative solar panel designs and strategic energy management.

Masdar City’s journey demonstrates that achieving net zero is not a linear process but one that evolves with constant learning and adaptation. By applying holistic planning, innovation, technology, renewable energy, and passive architectural design, we’ve created a model that is flexible enough to inspire other cities.