9:12 am - October 20, 2026Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has begun a four-week Dubai autonomous transit trial at Bluewaters, testing driverless electric pods on a dedicated guideway that could shape future clean mobility links across the emirate. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 11 October the start of a four-week trial of…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will host the emirate’s first Dubai electric vehicle exhibition and conference from 10 to 12 November, with more than 300 participants and 10,000 visitors expected at the trade centre. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 4 October that it will organise the inaugural…
Holcim UAE and 44.01 have formally commissioned the UAE’s first industrial Fujairah carbon capture pilot, which stores cement plant CO2 in underground rock and gives heavy industry a working template for Net Zero 2050. Holcim UAE and carbon storage company 44.01 officially commissioned the UAE’s first live-condition carbon capture and…
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has introduced mandatory emissions verification rules requiring high-emitting facilities to register, report and use accredited verifiers under a new digital tracking system. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a resolution making emissions verification compulsory for facilities in the emirate’s highest-emitting sectors,…
UAE green sukuk issuance fell to zero in the first half of 2026, Moody’s said, down from 1.7 billion US dollars a year earlier, as GCC issuers pulled back and awaited a second-half recovery. UAE green sukuk issuance dropped to zero in the first half of 2026, according to a…
Emirates Water and Electricity Company projects Abu Dhabi carbon emissions falling by more than 45% by 2035, as solar capacity expands to over 35 gigawatts and battery storage reaches up to 15 gigawatts. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced on 21 September a forecast cut in Abu Dhabi carbon…
Nasdaq-listed Beam Global has signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar City Free Zone to bring off-grid EV charging and energy storage technology into the Masdar City ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. Beam Global (Nasdaq: BEEM) and its regional arm, Beam Middle East, have signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar…
Top stories
Abu Dhabi solar capacity is set to expand by 3GW a year, the emirate’s energy chief says, as its clean energy share hits 47% and desalination shifts to reverse osmosis by 2035. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has set out plans to add 3GW of solar capacity a year, backed by round-the-clock battery storage, as part of a decade-long shift that has already lifted the emirate’s clean energy share, including nuclear, from 1% to 47%. In a 17 September interview, department chairman Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan said the emirate would keep expanding Abu Dhabi solar capacity while pushing almost all…
Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University have opened a pilot plant near Al Ain that converts food waste to biogas and compost, testing whether packaging waste can be processed alongside it too. Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have launched a joint pilot project to convert food waste to biogas and compost at what they describe as the UAE’s first integrated organic-waste valorisation plant. Sited near UAEU’s Al Ain campus, the plant will process up to 40kg of organic waste a day. The partnership was launched at UAEU with value-chain stakeholders including the Emirates Environmental Group, Hotpack,…
Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide, giving owners, operators and investors a practical framework for green building retrofits that cut energy and water use and emissions. Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide across the emirate on 16 September, giving building owners, operators, consultants and investors a practical roadmap for green building retrofits that improve environmental and operational performance. The civic body said the guide supports its wider objectives for sustainable urban development and a better quality of life across Dubai. The guide sets out best practice for green building retrofits while balancing sustainability requirements…
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has signed a two-year partnership with the World Economic Forum to accelerate UAE water innovation and connect solutions with the financing and markets needed to scale them. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative announced on 15 September that it has signed a partnership agreement with the World Economic Forum to speed the adoption and deployment of practical water solutions, extending the Abu Dhabi initiative’s reach into the global water innovation ecosystem. The agreement runs for two years, through September 2028, and centres on closing a persistent gap between promising water technologies and the financing,…
Khalifa University has launched a UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, uniting research, policy and industry to strengthen UAE water security ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December. Khalifa University has established the UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, Innovation and Sustainable Solutions, a UAE-anchored platform intended to connect scientific research with policy and industry on water treatment, desalination, wastewater reuse and governance. The university announced the Chair on 30 June, framing it as a direct contribution to UAE water security ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE co-hosts with Senegal in Abu…
Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told WAM the UAE has lifted its combined nuclear and renewables target to 35% by 2030-2031, saying new plants and private competition will deliver it.
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development wants to mobilise $2bn by 2030 through its Global Water Platform, half of it the Fund’s own money, to reach 10 million people with safe water. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has named the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform as the main…
Hub71’s renewed Initiate programme draws over 5,500 applications, highlighting growing demand for structured early-stage startup support in Abu Dhabi, with new ventures like Prism56 exemplifying regional innovation and AI adoption. Hub71 is expanding its Initiate programme after attracting over 5,500 applications from founders in the very early stages of building…
Researchers at United Arab Emirates University have created a sustainable catalyst using desert sand, biochar from date pits, and nickel, offering a local solution for clean-energy technologies and resource efficiency. Researchers over at United Arab Emirates University have come up with a pretty interesting green catalyst. It’s made from desert…
Deep dive with
our insights
Startups in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 ecosystem have raised more than $2.7bn since 2019, with its ClimateTech vertical part of a specialist strategy as the emirate works to diversify its economy. Startups based at Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s government-backed technology ecosystem, have raised more than $2.7bn (AED 9.9bn) since the platform opened in 2019, according to figures published on 8 June in the hub’s 2025 Impact Report. The same companies generated $1.5bn (AED 5.4bn) in revenue over the period. The totals mark a milestone in the emirate’s drive to build a diversified, innovation-led economy. The figures point to a startup base with…
Marafiq is set to build a new industrial desalination plant in Duqm, underscoring the growing importance of integrated water services for Oman’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector and supporting Meranti Green Steel’s ambitious project aiming for mid-2029 completion. Marafiq is gearing up to build a new industrial desalination plant in Duqm, which really highlights just how crucial water infrastructure has become for the region’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector. The Centralised Utilities Company for the Special Economic Zone at Duqm will handle the financing and development of this facility, and it’s meant to serve Meranti Green Steel’s upcoming iron project,…
All stories
Middle East and North Africa (MENA): The region is positioned to reshape global solar manufacturing with 44 GW capacity by 2029, boosted by favourable US tariffs and strong Chinese partnerships. This surge challenges Southeast Asia’s dominance and offers a new model amid rising costs and uncertainties in the US solar market. Solar manufacturing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is on a trajectory poised to reshape global energy dynamics, with projections from Wood Mackenzie estimating that the region’s manufacturing capacity will reach an impressive 44 gigawatts (GW) by 2029. Furthermore, installations across the MENA landscape are anticipated to…
Beijing: The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has signed a key MoU with China’s ISDMU to advance desalination technology, part of a wider global strategy including partnerships with the World Bank and international firms to combat rising water shortages driven by climate change. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has embarked on a transformative partnership with the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), an entity under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in a ceremony that underlined a commitment to advancing desalination technology, which is crucial given the escalating global water scarcity…
UAE: Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, led by Mubadala’s $330bn portfolio, are boosting investments in AI, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. With Mubadala’s 67% surge in 2023 tech investments, funds aim to reduce oil reliance and deepen ties with global markets, notably South Korea’s tech sector. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are increasingly reaping the rewards of strategic investments across new technological sectors, driven by a strong mandate for economic diversification. Recent reports indicate that the global assets under management (AUM) for these funds surged to $13 trillion, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries holding an impressive $5.33 trillion—accounting for…
Dubai Creek Harbour: DesertBoard UAE has unveiled a full-scale mock-up home built entirely from its eco-friendly Palm Strand Board panels, highlighting rapid manufacturing, versatile design, and superior fire and water resistance to promote sustainable construction amid accelerating climate challenges. DesertBoard UAE has reached a significant milestone in sustainable construction with the unveiling of a full-scale mock-up home in Dubai Creek Harbour, entirely constructed from its innovative Palm Strand Board (PSB®) panels. This 240 square-metre prototype features one- and two-bedroom apartment layouts, showcasing the material’s versatility and superior structural integrity. The project, aimed at securing developer approvals, utilises over 350 PSB®…
UAE: Emirates Global Aluminium has completed half of its largest aluminium recycling plant a full 42 days early. The facility aims to process 170,000 tonnes annually, enhancing local scrap consumption and supporting the nation’s low-carbon manufacturing ambitions by mid-2026. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has reported that the construction of the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant has reached the significant milestone of 50% completion, a remarkable achievement accomplished 42 days ahead of schedule. This facility, designed to process 170,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, is strategically located next to EGA’s existing Al Taweelah smelter. With a planned operational capacity to convert both…
Sharjah, UAE: Researchers at the University of Sharjah have created a novel electrode enabling efficient, desalination-free hydrogen production directly from seawater, offering a sustainable, water-scarce-friendly method with 98% Faradaic efficiency, opening new possibilities for solar-powered coastal hydrogen farms in the UAE and beyond. Researchers from the University of Sharjah have announced a groundbreaking technological advancement capable of producing clean hydrogen fuel directly from seawater without the need for desalination. In a study published in the journal Small, they detail the creation of a novel electrode design that facilitates this extraction efficiently and sustainably, representing a significant leap in hydrogen production…
United Arab Emirates: The UAE has introduced a 180-day multiple-entry visa to streamline access for exceptional talents outside the country applying for the Blue Residence Permit, a 10-year residency aimed at leaders in sustainability, climate action, and renewable energy, with a swift, digital five-step application process. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security has recently announced an important new measure aimed at attracting exceptional talent to the United Arab Emirates. Eligible individuals currently outside the country can now apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for 180 days, facilitating the process for obtaining the coveted Blue Residence Permit.…
Astana: Masdar and Kazakhstan’s Samruk Kazyna sign a landmark agreement to develop up to 500MW renewable energy with a 2GW Battery Energy Storage System, enhancing Kazakhstan’s energy transition and supporting its ambitious renewable targets for 2030 and 2050. ASTANA – In a significant step towards enhancing energy collaboration, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund of Kazakhstan formalised a partnership dedicated to advancing renewable energy and battery energy storage systems. This agreement was cemented during the recent visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on…
Abu Dhabi: The Department of Municipalities and Transport introduces fines up to AED 10,000 for damaging three native tree species, as part of a wider campaign including tagging 100,000 trees to preserve biodiversity and combat desertification in the emirate. Abu Dhabi has taken a decisive step towards environmental preservation with the introduction of hefty fines for harming native trees, specifically targeting three iconic species: the Al Ghaf, Al Samar, and Al Sidr. Under this new regulation, residents, homeowners, and gardeners risk penalties of up to AED 10,000 for damaging these trees. The initiative, announced by the Department of Municipalities and…
Ras Al Khaimah: The airport is integrating DYNAES’s groundbreaking thermodynamic energy system, aiming to drastically cut emissions while launching a smart travel platform and partnering for eVTOL air taxis by 2027, marking a major step in sustainable and digital aviation growth in the Middle East. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is embarking on a transformative journey with the integration of advanced sustainable technologies, aligning with the Emirate’s exponential growth and commitment to environmental stewardship. Recognised as a pivotal gateway for both tourism and commerce in Ras Al Khaimah, the airport aims to become the first in the Middle East—and indeed…
