Lessons from Masdar

The COP15 talks in Copenhagen ended with an agreement which was ‘noted’ but not agreed on by the Confederation of Parties.

However, there is cause for some celebration - for the first time in history, the impact of climate change was understood by the general public, companies and world leaders alike. Many of them met again this week at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi to share the latest know-how and technologies within renewable energy. Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster was there to establish new contacts and network under the mantra: "Even though the politicians can't, we can".

"The Copenhagen Region aims to enter the premier league of sustainable cities and business regions in the world. This is to come about through close cooperation with one of the leading projects in the world - Masdar City in Abu Dhabi - and we are here to see how to move on," explains Nicolai Sederberg Rottbøll, head of Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster.

The vision of Masdar is to be the first waste-neutral, zero-carbon city in the world - a mission shared by a new cleantech business and city located north of Copenhagen in Frederikssund.

From Masdar to Frederikssund

These days, Business Frederikssund is participating with Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster in Abu Dhabi with the goal of meeting like-minded cleantech actors from across the globe and to gain inspiration from Masdar. Rikke Danielsen, Director of Business Development, Business Frederikssund explains:

"Of course we can't replicate all the experiences from Masdar directly, but we can let ourselves be inspired by technological choices, branding and not least ambition. It is also interesting to see that cleantech solutions can be implemented in a cost-effective way."

During the visit, it became clear to city planner Sue Ling Knudsen that to build a sustainable city is about more than merely combining sustainable buildings, energy supply and infrastructure.

"It is equally about understanding and working with user needs and social integration," says Sue Ling Knudsen.

Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster will continue the dialogue with Masdar with the intention not just to build a new city, but to set an example to the world.