Gulf’s green metropolis faces scrutiny

When Abu Dhabi announced plans to develop the world’s first carbon neutral city, the project shot to the top of the list of the swathe of high-profile and ambitious mega projects dreamed up during the boom years in the Arab Gulf.

In a nation that is one of the world’s top oil exporters and one of its worst offenders for carbon emissions, the $22bn Masdar City project raised eyebrows, but also brought kudos and attention from across the globe.

But two years after construction on the city began, it has been the focus of increasing speculation about the project’s progress and sustainability amid lay-offs and rumours about whether the development would go ahead as initially touted.