Sustainability

With per-capita greenhouse gas emissions among the highest in the world, Abu Dhabi has recognized the need to diversify its economy and reduce its carbon footprint.

Masdar, the multifaceted renewable energy and sustainability company wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, was established to ensure energy security through the creation of a diverse mix of renewable and clean energy sources.

Abu Dhabi has traditionally played a leading role in global energy markets as a significant hydrocarbon producer. Through Masdar, it seeks to leverage its substantial resources and experience in this sector to maintain its leadership position in an evolving world energy market that is increasingly looking to renewable energy. Through Masdar, Abu Dhabi aspires to be an international hub for renewable energy, new energy and sustainable technologies, thereby balancing its already strong hydrocarbon position. As an expression of this strategy, Abu Dhabi hosts the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, and in order to encourage the development of a knowledge-based, export-oriented renewable energy sector, the Abu Dhabi government has made a commitment to renewable power. This decision supports the ongoing diversification of the Emirate's economy and is expected to create domestic renewable energy market.

Shams 1 sustainability facts

• Registered on September 8, 2009 at the United Nations as a CDM project eligible for carbon credits.
• The world’s first CSP plant to be registered as a CDM project.
• Expected to generate approximately 175,000 carbon credits a year under CDM, over a crediting period of seven years, renewable twice (up to 21 years total).
• Designed to displace 175,000 tons of CO² every year, equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees or taking approximately 15,000 cars off the road.