The Middle East Environment

Against the backdrop of global discussions about sustainability and urban planning, Abu Dhabi is hosting a series of events aimed at addressing modern challenges of urban development and fostering new avenues for sustainable growth.

Given its arid climate and limited groundwater reserves, Abu Dhabi is in the process of ramping up efforts around both water conservation and wastewater treatment.

Requirements for water and power in Qatar are expected to rise sharply in the coming years, with water demand forecast to increase by more than 50% by 2022.

Plans to build a new desalination plant on the Gulf of Aqaba are moving forward. While critics argue that the $1bn project, which aims to address a chronic water shortage and save the shrinking Dead Sea, is expensive and potentially damaging, advocates insist the need to proceed couldn’t be clearer.

A by-product of rapid economic growth, the volume of solid waste generated by Qatar has been increasing steadily in recent years. While the government is looking to reduce this output by encouraging waste minimisation and recycling efforts, investments in additional processing facilities will likely be necessary.

While Abu Dhabi is introducing a series of green initiatives, like other rapidly developing cities it faces challenges in reducing its carbon footprint over the short term.