Michael Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, and a former mayor of New York City, toured Masdar City yesterday to learn how Abu Dhabi’s low-carbon mixed-use development is pioneering a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanization and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste.

Welcoming Bloomberg to Masdar City, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, said: “With 70 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions produced in cities, reducing pollution and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy is imperative.

“As Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg implemented numerous strategic initiatives to make the city more accessible, efficient and resilient. His visit to Masdar City creates an opportunity to exchange knowledge and share lessons learned.

“The visit also underscores Abu Dhabi and the UN’s mutual commitment to building robust, sustainable urban environments to deal with surging population growth and resource constraints,” Belhoul added.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed Bloomberg as UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change in January 2014 to help drive political support for sustainable development and mobilize efforts to mitigate climate change.

During his time as the 108th mayor of New York City, Bloomberg launched PlayNYC: A Greener, Greater New York, a sustainability and resiliency blueprint designed to improve the city’s aging infrastructure, reduce pollution, and prepare buildings, roads and public transportation for rising sea levels.

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