IRENA – Masdar City (UAE) – exemplars of innovation into emerging markets

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to highlight efforts of an emerging market economy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in complementing the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) initiative. This is a growing phenomenon that has brought about a major shift in the international business landscape with emerging markets at the center.Design/methodology/approach – The exploratory nature of the paper prompted the need to draw upon media reports and other official documents in a bid to stimulate academic interest in Masdar City – the world's first zero‐carbon city in Abu Dhabi (capital of the UAE) as a business case illustration.Findings – Masdar City remains arguably the world's acclaimed first zero‐carbon, zero‐waste city fully powered by renewable energy and poised to attract leading international expertise, academics, commerce, and residents. It also sets a standard for other emerging market players to emulate in this resurgent wave in the “internationalisation of innovation into emerging markets”.Social impl...