The world’s greenest city is being built in the United Arab Emirates.

Yep, one of the world’s major oil powers will be home to a planned city - complete with solar, wind and geothermal energy, and a zero waste policy.

“Masdar City” will be located just outside Abu Dhabi, and is intended to represent the Emirati capital’s commitment to a diversified, post-carbon economy and a transition to renewable energy sources.

But is this for real? Is the UAE - known worldwide for petro dollars, and little else - really committed to new energy technologies, or is this a ploy to show that Big Oil is kinda sorta getting with the program?

If it’s a ploy, it’s an elaborate and pricey one. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time the Emirates spent millions on a super-sized show.

I’m reserving judgment for now. Here’s promotional video for the city:

Eva Holland

Eva Holland is co-editor of Matador Pulse and a regular contributor to the Matador Network. She's also a contributing editor at World Hum. Eva recently quit her day job and gave notice on her apartment, and is currently bouncing around Eastern Ontario, Quebec and upstate New York.