The United Arab Emirates secures a top 10 position in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, underscoring its effective, innovative, and future-ready governance model recognised worldwide. The United Arab Emirates has, once again, established itself among the world’s most closely observed examples of government efficiency, earning a spot in the…
The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi is launching a programme to tag and monitor 100,000 native trees with QR codes, aiming to protect vital species and bolster environmental management amid rapid development and climate challenges. Abu Dhabi has started attaching digital identities to its native trees, turning what was once…
Saudi Arabia’s rapid expansion into renewables, driven by Vision 2030, is reshaping the Gulf’s clean energy scene, challenging the UAE’s dominance and pushing the region towards industrialised green energy ecosystems amid technical and infrastructural hurdles. Saudi Arabia’s swift expansion into renewables has definitely shaken up the Gulf’s clean energy scene.…
The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi has formalised a landmark alliance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, signalling a shift from project-based work to a strategic role in global environmental governance, backed by high-level support. The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has strengthened its longstanding ties with the International Union for…
Dubai’s Prototypes for Humanity programme advances three international ventures from laboratory concepts to pilot projects and market expansion, reaffirming the city’s position as a regional hub for innovation and sustainable development. Dubai is really stepping up its efforts to push university research further along the path to commercialization. The latest…
Despite possessing some of the highest solar and wind resources globally, Arab countries contributed just 1.3% of the world’s solar power in 2023, highlighting a vast untapped potential hindered by limited investments and uneven market development. Arab countries are sitting on some of the world’s most abundant renewable energy resources,…
The University of Sharjah’s My FarmWell app, which integrates artificial intelligence, environmental data, and farm management tools, has been awarded by the UAE Society of Engineers for its innovative approach to sustainable water use in agriculture affected by water scarcity. A mobile tool created at the University of Sharjah has…
Top stories
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is undertaking a significant upgrade of the emirate’s power infrastructure in 2025, with substantial investments in high-voltage substations and underground transmission, supporting the city’s rapid urban and economic growth. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has really ramped up efforts to upgrade the emirate’s power grid, with new high-voltage substations being commissioned in 2025, all while continuing a substantial infrastructure program quite valued at over AED 8.5 billion. As per a statement on DEWA’s official website, the utility brought into service eight 132kV substations and two 400kV substations throughout the year. This expansion aims…
Dubai-based Emirates Glass launches the EmiCool series, a high-performance range of solar control and low-emissivity glass designed to reduce cooling loads and enhance daylighting in Gulf region buildings amid rising energy efficiency demands. In the Gulf region, tackling the challenge of keeping buildings cool really starts with the façade. Glass tends to be the biggest opening in towers, malls, or office buildings, which makes it a major pathway for solar heat to enter. And, you know, in places where air conditioning isn’t just a luxury but practically a necessity, the choice of glazing becomes pretty critical, since it can influence…
UAE partners with Schneider Electric to advance AI-driven air quality and smart farming solutions
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has signed a new deal with Schneider Electric to harness artificial intelligence for real-time air quality monitoring and sustainable agriculture, marking a significant step towards integrating digital solutions into national environmental policies. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has recently strengthened its tech collaborations with a new deal with Schneider Electric. This agreement puts artificial intelligence right at the heart of efforts to improve air quality, develop smarter agriculture, and advance broader climate policies. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the ministry’s Dubai headquarters, bringing together a government department…
UAE hosts IRENA Council meeting as digitalisation and resilience take centre stage in global energy shift
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s 31st Council meeting in Abu Dhabi focuses on accelerating the energy transition through digital innovation, strengthened resilience, and international cooperation amidst growing global demand for renewables. The International Renewable Energy Agency kicked off its 31st Council meeting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, gathering more than 300 government representatives in a hybrid format, part in person, part virtual, as members look toward the next phase of the global energy transition. This two-day event is set to evaluate how far IRENA’s current initiatives have progressed and to establish priorities for the coming years. Central to the discussions…
UAE’s strategic pipeline projects and AI-driven resilience reshape global energy security
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber highlights the critical need for resilient infrastructure and innovative strategies, including new export routes and AI integration, to safeguard the world’s energy system amidst rising geopolitical tensions and limited spare capacity. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber took a prominent platform at the Atlantic Council recently to make a pretty compelling argument: the world’s energy system isn’t just being tested by conflicts and geopolitical tensions, but also by a bigger, more fundamental failure , the lack of proper investment in resilience. He emphasized that governments and companies need to see energy security as more than just counting barrels…
Register for Nexus Climate Newsletter
Stay ahead of the curve with our newsletter that includes Editor's Picks – your regular insight into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving UAE climate technology
The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science highlights a shift towards evidence-based practices and advanced measurement techniques following insights from the Weather Modification Association annual meeting, signalling a more disciplined approach to cloud seeding efforts in water security. The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science recently used its…
The Khalifa Fund and Hub71 have initiated the inaugural cohort of the MZN Hub71 Programme in Al Ain, supporting 17 first-time Emirati entrepreneurs across sectors including ClimateTech and AI to drive regional innovation and economic diversification. Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, together with Hub71, has just kicked off the very…
Miral unveils four ambitious projects for 2026 aimed at integrating digital tools and scientific research to safeguard endangered species and enhance sustainable food practices in Abu Dhabi, reflecting a wider shift in UAE’s environmental strategy. Miral has outlined four key conservation priorities for 2026, expanding its environmental initiatives in Abu…
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan opened the Economy Middle East Summit 2026 in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the UAE’s resilient economic model and calling for regional cooperation to navigate technological and environmental transitions. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan kicked off the Economy Middle East Summit 2026 in Abu Dhabi…
Deep dive with
our insights
Emsteel’s collaboration with Gulf Cryo highlights the UAE’s advancing efforts to create a practical, integrated industrial carbon management market, moving beyond pilot projects towards a holistic decarbonisation ecosystem. Emsteel’s recent partnership with Gulf Cryo really underscores the UAE’s ongoing push to develop an industrial carbon management market, particularly as big-emission industries seek practical ways to lower their emissions without sacrificing competitiveness. The steel producer and the industrial gases firm have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on carbon capture and utilization (CCU) across Emsteel’s operations. According to both companies, this plan doesn’t just focus on capturing emissions at the…
Khalifa University signs a deal with Italy’s Magaldi Power to explore the deployment of thermal energy storage technologies in the UAE, supporting the nation’s renewable energy transition and industrial decarbonisation efforts. Khalifa University’s Advanced Power and Energy Centre recently signed an agreement with Italy’s Magaldi Power S.p.A., aiming to explore how the company’s thermal energy storage technologies could be put to use in the UAE. This move adds another international dimension to the UAE’s ongoing clean energy efforts. The deal, which is essentially a consultancy service agreement, pairs one of the region’s leading research universities with a company that describes…
All stories
Higher Colleges of Technology boosts solar capacity to support UAE's sustainability goals
The Higher Colleges of Technology has launched a significant solar project across six campuses, aligning with the UAE’s national net zero ambitions and advancing campus-based renewable energy initiatives. The Higher Colleges of Technology has started ramping up its on-site solar generation efforts across its campuses after signing a deal with Three Eight Six, an independent power producer. This move aligns with the UAE’s broader push toward decarbonising its electricity grid and boosting overall energy efficiency, which is pretty interesting, right? According to the announcement, the project will cover six campuses spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain, where approximately…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority unveils a pioneering AI-enabled bus station at Mall of the Emirates, integrating digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability to transform urban transit. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered smart bus station, a hub where digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability features come together in a regular transit setting. The new station, located at Mall of the Emirates, is part of Dubai’s larger goal to develop a more unified public transportation system. As per a statement from the Dubai Media Office, the idea is to make traveling…
Dubai's mobile mapping pilot transforms waterfront management with high-precision waterways survey
Dubai Municipality has completed the Middle East’s first mobile mapping survey of waterways, signalling a shift towards more advanced digital infrastructure and smarter urban management, with future plans to replicate the approach across all emirate waterways. Dubai Municipality has wrapped up what they’re calling the Middle East’s first-ever pilot survey of waterways using mobile mapping tech, and this really signals a bigger shift in how the emirate plans to handle its digital infrastructure, manage assets, and spruce up urban planning. The project involved a Leica TRK system mounted on a specially fitted vessel, which was used to collect data along…
The Zayed Sustainability Prize opens entries for 2027, offering a total of $7.2 million to support scalable solutions across health, food, energy, water, and climate action, aiming to showcase impactful innovations from around the world and in the UAE. The Zayed Sustainability Prize has just opened up entries for its 2027 round, shining a brighter light on innovations and community projects that could help address some serious environmental and social issues. Backed by the UAE, this award invites small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofit groups, and even high schools to compete across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and…
UAE accelerates industrial transformation with ambitious digital and manufacturing strategy
Schneider Electric highlights the UAE’s rapid progress in reshaping its industrial landscape through bold investments in automation, AI, and smart manufacturing, positioning the country as a global leader in industrial innovation. Schneider Electric has noted that the UAE has really taken the lead compared to most countries when it comes to reshaping its industrial landscape. They argue that in just a few years, the emirate has managed to develop a more ambitious manufacturing model than many economies achieve over several decades, pretty impressive, if you ask me. Aml Al Shazli, who’s the president of Schneider Electric for the Gulf region,…
The United Arab Emirates has officially exited the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, signalling a move towards more autonomous energy strategies as Abu Dhabi balances oil production with its clean energy ambitions. The United Arab Emirates has now exited the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), marking a notable step away from longstanding regional oil institutions. This move has fueled ongoing discussions about how Abu Dhabi aims to position itself amidst a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. OAPEC announced that the UAE’s withdrawal became official on May 1, 2026, after the country’s energy and infrastructure minister, Suhail Al…
Holcim launches locally sourced ECOPlanet low-carbon cement in UAE to boost industrial resilience and sustainability
Holcim introduces its green cement range, made with locally sourced materials, aligning with the UAE’s push for industrial self-reliance and lower emissions amid ongoing development projects. Holcim has introduced its ECOPlanet low-carbon cement range to the UAE, featuring a version made from locally sourced materials and aligned with the country’s broader push for a more resilient industrial base. The company claims this product reduces carbon emissions by around 30% compared to standard cement, all while maintaining the strength and durability needed for large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. This launch comes at an interesting time when the UAE is actively working…
The UAE is expanding its National Green Certificates Programme to include factories, leveraging AI to promote measurable sustainability benchmarks and support the nation’s zero-emissions goals. The UAE has recently advanced its National Green Certificates Programme further into the industrial sector, introducing a new track specifically for factories. This move is part of the broader push to develop a lower-emissions economy across the country. According to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, this factory-focused scheme was revealed at Make in the Emirates 2026, where it was positioned as a national framework for evaluating and certifying sustainable industrial sites. The programme employs…
The UAE is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to transform waste management, making cities smarter and more sustainable through innovative digital solutions that optimise recycling, monitoring, and environmental policies. The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in waste management is starting to change how the UAE views recycling, monitoring, and the circular economy, according to experts who spoke at a virtual seminar organized by the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment. This session was part of the foundation’s environmental culture series and centered on “Year of the Family: Applying the circular economy in waste management using artificial intelligence”. It brought together specialists…
The UAE is reshaping its industrial landscape by prioritising artificial intelligence, boosting local participation, and integrating sustainability with economic growth, signalling a major strategic shift at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event. The UAE is gradually reshaping its industrial future, placing bigger bets on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge manufacturing, and a more proactive role for local investors. During the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, senior officials and business leaders emphasized how quickly the country’s investment landscape is evolving, hinting at a real shake-up in traditional models. On the third day of the event in Abu Dhabi, Mohamed…

