UAE Show Case or Green Wash

Hotel Indigo in Dubai Sustainable City is 100% solar energy powered and will also feature an urban farming initiative to supply restaurants and a neighbourhood café.

Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer for IHG said: “We are delighted to partner with Diamond Developers to bring the first fully sustainable hotel in the UAE. This will be a landmark hotel from our portfolio within the region.”

Faris Saeed, Diamond Developer CEO, added: “We have created a living, breathing, sustainable community that is cost-effective and eco-friendly for over 300 families. After proving that the concept is feasible and successful, we look forward to commencing phase 2 of The Sustainable City.

However, questions remain on whether the project encompasses enough sustainability initiatives to be correctly labeled as sustainable. Questions around the actual building process, labour practices, materials, water supply, procurement policies, recycling and so on, remain in the dark.