European Future Energy Forum – Day One 9th June 2009

Today’s debate revolved around changing energy policy at Governmental level with Bianca Jagger, Chair, World Future Council and Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador, opening up with a alarming statement that we have only 10 years to improve our stance and global agenda towards climate change and sustainability before the carbon levels are irreversible and shall permanently damage the planet affecting 300 million humans worldwide.

In contrast to this Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s new carbon neutral, zero waste and energy positive city gave an optimistic talk about breaking the boundaries of sustainability as we know it and creating a society that is engineered and invented to subvert radically changing our lifestyle but embracing sustainability as a way of life. An extremely interesting and positive development it will be the first realised example of a carbon neutral city and employ radically advanced changes that will help shape how we as architects operate.

JDS’ exhibition in the Future Urban Zone opened today with 7 exemplar sustainable projects in different regions around the globe highlighting specific responses to individual climates and bold visions which seek to innovate the world of sustainability in Architecture.