Masdar City stands today as one of the world’s most ambitious experiments in sustainable urban living — a free zone designed not just for business, but for climate action, innovation, and community.

As the UAE accelerates its journey toward Net Zero 2050, Masdar City has emerged as both a blueprint and a testbed for how cities of the future can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

In this exclusive conversation, Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City, discusses how the city is pioneering sustainable free zone models, enabling companies to achieve measurable ESG outcomes, and creating a global hub where innovation, talent, and partnerships converge to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.

The excerpts...

Q: The Blueprint for Sustainable Free Zones [How Masdar City’s free zone model integrates sustainability into infrastructure, governance, and operations. What differentiates it from conventional free zones in the UAE and globally].

Ans: Masdar City is the UAE’s green print for how a free zone can be purpose built to drive sustainable economic growth. From its inception, sustainability has been embedded into every aspect of our infrastructure, governance, and operations. All developments meet rigorous green building standards such as LEED Platinum, Estidama Pearl, and WELL certifications and are engineered to consume significantly less energy and water than conventional buildings.

Our governance framework ensures transparency, accountability, and ethical operations, reflected in our record of zero instances of non compliance with laws and regulations in 2024. Operationally, we integrate renewable energy, advanced water and waste management systems, and circular economy principles into the city’s daily functioning.

What truly sets Masdar City apart from conventional free zones in the UAE and globally is our integrated ecosystem. This ecosystem combines world class sustainable infrastructure, a thriving Free Zone, and a diverse community of innovators, creating an environment where companies can align their business growth with measurable environmental and social impact. Strategically located just ten minutes from Zayed International Airport and forty-five minutes from Dubai, the Free Zone is home to more than 1,700 companies from over 90 countries and is home to government organizations, global companies, education and research institutes, and startups. The city drives innovation across multiple sectors including life sciences, energy, artificial intelligence, agri-tech, mobility, and space-tech.

Our masterplan integrates business, research, residential living, education, dining, retail, and leisure into one connected environment, making Masdar City a place where people can live, work, learn, and play. With vibrant community engagement, diverse cultural events, and initiatives, Masdar City offers companies a platform to grow in a supportive environment where innovation flourishes and sustainability is the foundation.

Q: ESG as a Business Advantage [Examples of how tenant companies leverage Masdar City’s sustainability first policies to gain market credibility and competitive edge. Case studies of measurable ESG outcomes including energy efficiency, carbon savings, and circular economy practices]

Ans: Masdar City’s sustainability‑first policies give our tenants a clear market advantage. Companies operating here can demonstrate measurable ESG performance from the moment they set up because they are based in certified high‑performance buildings, benefit from renewable energy integration, and operate within an ecosystem designed to reduce environmental impact.

Our 2024 ESG Report recorded a 22.7 percent reduction in energy use intensity compared to ASHRAE baselines, 13.1 percent savings in potable water consumption, and 98.3 percent of construction waste diverted from landfill. These outcomes are built into the city’s infrastructure and operations, making it easier for tenants to meet investor, client, and regulatory expectations for sustainability.

The strength of our ecosystem lies in how it enables companies to grow sustainably while collaborating with other innovators. The Hub, designed as a sustainable food hall, prioritizes local sourcing and actively reduces food waste, demonstrating how tenant operations can align with ESG goals. The Women Entrepreneurship Program continues to attract and support women‑led businesses in the Free Zone, strengthening diversity and inclusion. The Estidama Mosque achieved LEED Platinum and Estidama Pearl 3 ratings, delivering significant energy and water savings. Masdar Park has become a community destination that integrates solar power, EV charging stations, and passive cooling design. The BYD Electric Vehicles Launch Event showcased sustainable mobility solutions to residents, tenants, and visitors, reinforcing Masdar City’s role as a hub for innovation and ESG leadership.

By combining world class sustainable infrastructure, strong governance, and a collaborative community, Masdar City ensures that ESG is not just a compliance requirement but a driver of competitiveness and long‑term business success. This approach aligns with the UAE’s Falcon Economy vision and Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, making Masdar City a model for how free zones can deliver measurable sustainable impacts while enabling economic growth.

Q: Innovation Ecosystem & Climate Tech Hub [Highlight startups and global firms using Masdar City as a launchpad for green innovation. Collaborative R&D or pilot projects being tested in the city]

Ans: Masdar City is a global testbed for pioneering technologies and a launchpad for startups and multinational firms driving the transition to a low carbon economy. Our integrated ecosystem brings together companies, research institutions, and entrepreneurs in a collaborative environment that accelerates innovation from concept to commercialization.

Global firms and startups alike use Masdar City’s infrastructure, governance, and community to pilot and scale solutions. The Hydroball irrigation pilot in Masdar Park uses IoT-enabled sensors to optimize water use, demonstrating how resource efficiency can be tested and refined in a live urban environment. In agritech, upcoming agrivoltaic installations at Connect Park will integrate renewable energy generation with sustainable food production, serving as a model for climate resilient agriculture.

The Catalyst, our joint venture with BP, is the MENA region’s first clean tech accelerator, providing funding, mentorship, and research support to startups developing climate technology solutions. In life sciences, the HELM cluster - launched earlier this year through a landmark agreement between the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and Masdar City - hosts companies advancing biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and precision medicine. It is home to the region’s first BioBank and a commercial scale vivarium, supporting drug discovery, translational research, and clinical trials. These facilities, combined with collaborations with leading institutions, are accelerating breakthroughs in health technology and positioning Masdar City as a hub for medical innovation in the region.

Masdar City’s ecosystem offers innovators the infrastructure, partnerships, and supportive environment needed to test, refine, and deploy solutions that address global sustainability and health challenges. We invite startups, researchers, and global firms to join us in shaping the next generation of climate and health technologies from the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Q: Talent and Global Partnerships [Why Masdar City attracts leading sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators. International collaborations, partnerships, or cross border investments that are shaping the city’s growth]

Ans: Masdar City has become a magnet for the world’s leading sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators by offering more than just a place to work, it provides a fully integrated environment where groundbreaking ideas can be conceived, tested, and scaled. At the heart of this appeal is a unique blend of world-class sustainable infrastructure, a dynamic Free Zone, and an interconnected innovation ecosystem that actively encourages collaboration across disciplines.

Within the city, high-impact industry clusters, including Smart Mobility, Life Sciences, Agritech, Clean Technology, and Space-Tech, create the foundation for cross-sector innovation. These clusters are complemented by anchor institutions such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), which attract global talent and foster advanced research. The presence of pioneering facilities, from net-zero energy buildings to AI research hubs, ensures that professionals can directly engage with projects shaping the future of sustainable urban living.

Masdar City also invests in future talent pipelines. Initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurship Program, which supports and attracts women-led businesses to the Free Zone, cultivate diversity and equip entrepreneurs with the skills to participate in the city’s innovation ecosystem.

On the global stage, Masdar City is a hub for international collaboration and cross-border investment. In 2024 alone, Masdar City welcomed 346 delegations, including heads of state, ambassadors, diplomats, business delegations, and private sector academia to showcase and promote Masdar City's pioneering efforts in sustainability and sustainable urban living. A standout example is the collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to launch the AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster. This initiative is attracting global agritech companies and enabling innovations in food security and water sustainability that have worldwide relevance.

By combining strategic location, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a culture of collaboration, Masdar City offers global talent and partners a launchpad to develop solutions for climate resilience, resource efficiency, and societal well-being, from the heart of the UAE to the world.

Q: Contribution to UAE’s Net Zero 2050 [How Masdar City aligns with the UAE’s national climate agenda. Tangible milestones achieved so far and future sustainability targets including emissions reduction, renewable integration, and green certifications]

Ans: Masdar City is a cornerstone of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and the Falcon Economy vision, demonstrating how sustainable urban development can deliver both economic growth and environmental stewardship. Every element of the city, from its master plan to its building designs and operational systems, is guided by measurable climate action targets.

Our 2024 ESG Report highlighted the following achievements:

• 22.7 percent reduction in energy use intensity compared to ASHRAE baselines, avoiding 2,893 tCO₂e.

• 13.1 percent reduction in potable water consumption, saving 30,892 cubic meters.

• Diversion of 98.3 percent of construction waste from landfill.

• A portfolio of 30 buildings with green building certifications, including one of the world’s largest clusters of LEED Platinum assets.

• Completion of two net-zero energy buildings, with three more under construction.

Flagship projects in 2024 illustrate how innovation is embedded in our climate strategy. The Link is a net-zero co-lab building that combines co-working and co-living spaces to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs and innovators. Connect Park integrates agrivoltaics to produce renewable energy while supporting community agriculture. Falaj Plaza, with its PRRS “Exemplar” rating, shaded walkways, and water feature celebrating the seven Emirates, enhances public space while meeting the highest environmental standards.

Looking ahead, Masdar City is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across all operations by 2050. We will expand on-site renewable generation beyond the current 11,288,000 kWh per year produced from solar PV, increase the number of net-zero energy buildings across our development, and advance circular economy practices to reach 80 percent operational waste diversion by 2040.

By combining advanced infrastructure, stringent environmental standards, and a culture of innovation, Masdar City is setting benchmarks for sustainable urban development that can be replicated globally, while continuing to strengthen its contribution to the UAE’s climate agenda.