6:40 am - July 16, 2026The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, reflecting significant investments and policy shifts towards sustainability, including waste management, biodiversity, and renewable energy expansion. The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index , and honestly, that really highlights…
Naseej advances its mission to create a sustainable textile sector in the UAE through 14 strategic collaborations spanning public and private sectors, aiming to develop a comprehensive circular economy model with pilot projects and policy support. Naseej’s drive to develop a circular textile economy in the UAE has now moved…
Positive Zero’s new loan facility marks the first of its kind in the Middle East, signalling increasing confidence in decentralised renewable projects across the GCC as part of the region’s energy transition. Positive Zero has successfully secured a $375 million loan facility, a move that will bolster decentralised energy infrastructure…
As the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards celebrate ten years, organisers emphasise their role in fostering meaningful environmental and governance improvements among regional organisations, reflecting a broader shift in sustainability being a key business asset. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has opened nominations for the tenth edition of…
The emirate introduces ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, a multi-year initiative encouraging residents and businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives across the emirate. Sharjah has rolled out a fresh, emirate-wide campaign focused on sustainability , kinda aiming to make everyday choices a bit…
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the third edition of its ‘Musta’dim’ programme, now integrating marine ecology and food security to inspire young minds and support the nation’s environmental and economic resilience. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has now rolled out the third…
DP World’s strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech marks a significant step in decentralising water solutions within global supply chains, aiming to enhance water resilience and sustainability across its international operations. DP World has recently taken a strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech, setting up pilot trials of atmospheric water…
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The UAE has unveiled the Global Youth Envoys for Water initiative, aiming to empower young leaders from vulnerable regions to influence global water governance ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has introduced a new initiative aimed at involving younger voices in global water diplomacy, ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. This move forms part of the country’s wider effort to connect climate action with international collaboration. Announced by the Arab Youth Centre during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, the programme called…
ENOC’s partnership with EVS aims to expand quick and specialised maintenance services for electric vehicles across key regions in the UAE, signalling a significant step towards integrated electric mobility support. ENOC has partnered up with EVS to expand access to quick maintenance services for electric vehicles right here in the UAE. This move really shows how the country’s charging and servicing network is feeling the heat , or, well, the pressure , to keep pace with the rapid rise in EV adoption. The plan is to offer speedy EV maintenance through AutoPro, ENOC’s established vehicle service network, at four selected…
The Dubai Future Foundation’s fifth edition of its foresight report emphasises actionable strategies and global collaborations to capitalise on technological and systemic opportunities shaping the future of the UAE and beyond. The Dubai Future Foundation has recently published the fifth edition of its flagship foresight report, broadening its focus on the technologies and systems that might influence future growth patterns in the UAE and beyond. Titled “Future Opportunities: The Global 50”, the report revisits fifty opportunities identified in earlier editions, assessing how much they have advanced. According to the Foundation, this latest version aims to help governments, organisations, and individuals…
Masdar has reached financial close on a landmark $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to deliver around-the-clock renewable power and reinforce the UAE’s shift towards sustainable energy. Masdar has officially reached financial close on a massive $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, paving the way for what it claims will be the world’s first gigascale, around-the-clock renewable power plant. The company has secured about $5.1 billion in funding from a syndicate of 13 international and regional lenders, with an extra $1 billion put in as equity. According to Masdar, this funding…
A Dubai-based biotech firm is turning date palm residues into biofertilisers, boosting crop yields and soil health for thousands of small farmers, as part of a broader push towards a circular economy and climate resilience in the region. Dubai’s efforts to turn agricultural waste into a climate-smart business seem to be gaining real momentum, with a biotech start-up now transforming date palm residues into biofertilisers , a move that’s boosted crop yields, improved soils, and brought thousands of small farmers into a more circular production cycle. The company, called B-Vita, has been recognised as part of Dubai Future Solutions –…
As geological exploration deepens and policy frameworks adapt, the Middle East’s unique geology and regulatory environment position it at the forefront of natural hydrogen development, promising a strategic shift in future energy landscapes. Natural hydrogen is shifting from being just a niche curiosity in geology to becoming a serious point…
Abu Dhabi introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling a broader push into aquatic smart mobility and innovation safety. Abu Dhabi has started tightening up its rules for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling that the emirate is broadening its smart…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy launches a new manual and verification tool aimed at preventing oversized air conditioning systems, potentially saving AED560 million annually and supporting the emirate’s sustainability goals. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has introduced a new manual aimed at cooling loads, one that’s designed to address…
The Sustainability Forum Middle East announces its advisory committee for the 2027 event, bringing together senior figures from government, energy, finance, and sustainability sectors to shape regional climate action and sustainable development strategies in Bahrain. The Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced its advisory committee for its fifth edition, which…
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Tadweer Group has awarded Urbaser a contract to develop Abu Dhabi’s first greenfield Material Recovery Facility, incorporating AI-driven sorting systems to boost recycling and reduce landfill reliance by 2028. Tadweer Group has taken quite a significant step forward in Abu Dhabi’s waste management plans, by awarding Urbaser a contract to develop the emirate’s very first greenfield Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This project is pretty much aimed at boosting recycling capacity and cutting down reliance on landfills, especially as the UAE moves deeper into its circular economy ambitions. As reported by UrduPoint and WAM, the new plant is expected to handle…
The UAE-based resale app LUVED introduces AI-driven tools and environmental impact features to promote faster, more personalised transactions and bolster trust within its community-focused, circular fashion platform. A resale app based in the UAE is really leaning into the use of artificial intelligence and sustainability , quite intentionally, it seems , as it tries to make the experience of buying second-hand luxury items feel more instant, personalised, and less wasteful. LUVED, a mobile-focused peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-loved luxury fashion and lifestyle products, has recently rolled out two new features within the app: LUVBOT, an AI-driven assistant, and My Impact, a…
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The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology launches a new guide featuring over 30 use cases to help local manufacturers adopt digital tools, boost resilience, and align with national strategies for industrial growth and sustainability. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has rolled out an updated guide designed to assist UAE manufacturers in accelerating their adoption of digital tools and boosting their ability to handle disruptions more effectively. This latest resource, called the Industrial Technology Transformation Index Use Case Guide 2.0, is part of the ministry’s broader Industrial Technology Transformation Index (ITTI) program. According to both the ministry…
Dubai is set to deploy 735 electric buses in 2026, marking the largest such rollout in the UAE and signalling a major step towards its zero-emission transport goals by 2050, with environmental, operational, and energy infrastructure benefits. Dubai is gearing up for a significant expansion of its electric bus fleet, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) set to receive 735 battery-powered buses throughout 2026. As reported by Emirates News Agency, these vehicles will be delivered gradually, marking what officials describe as the largest such rollout in the country so far. This move aligns with Dubai’s broader plan to transition…
The fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates fosters a growing ecosystem for industrial start-ups, with a focus on clean mobility, automation, and digital resilience aligning with UAE’s national development and climate goals. The fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates once again put start-ups front and center in Abu Dhabi’s push toward industrial growth. This year’s pitch contest brought together entrepreneurs from both the UAE and abroad, all eager to showcase technologies that could eventually find their way into commercial markets. According to those organizing the event, the 2026 competition not only offered cash prizes, mentorship opportunities,…
Etihad Water and Electricity’s development division teams up with NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas to build a $285 million seawater reverse osmosis plant in Fujairah, signalling a move towards more sustainable water solutions in the UAE. Etihad Water and Electricity’s development division has been making strides with one of Fujairah’s most notable new water infrastructure projects, signing an EPC deal with NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas for a seawater reverse osmosis plant capable of producing 60 million imperial gallons per day, located at the Port of Fujairah. The project, dubbed Fujairah I Independent Water Producer, carries a total investment of…
Proman and TA’ZIZ have secured US$2 billion in funding for the UAE’s first major methanol plant in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in regional chemical industry ambitions and diversification efforts. Proman, along with its Abu Dhabi partner TA’ZIZ, has secured a hefty US$2 billion in funding for what’s poised to be the UAE’s first large-scale, world-class methanol plant. This deal really highlights the country’s growing industrial ambitions and also reflects how methanol continues to be pretty attractive in international energy and chemicals markets. According to Proman, the funding was heavily oversubscribed, with interest coming from 11 financial institutions across…
ADNOC joins forces with the UAE government and Emirates Development Bank to bolster local production, streamline procurement, and reduce reliance on imports with a new AED1 billion fund supporting industrial growth and supply chain stability. ADNOC has stepped into the spotlight as the first partner to support the UAE’s new AED1 billion National Industrial Resilience Fund, and honestly, this adds a fresh wave of momentum to the country’s efforts to boost local manufacturing and cut down reliance on imported industrial inputs. The deal was inked with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and, yes, also with Emirates Development Bank,…
Armela Farms leads the UAE’s move towards controlled environment agriculture, leveraging automation, AI, and hydroponics to transform desert farming into a sustainable, resource-efficient industry tailored for water-scarce conditions. The UAE’s push to boost food resilience is increasingly taking shape through farms that resemble tech campuses more than traditional fields. Armela Farms is one of the companies leading this transformation, utilizing automation, AI-driven climate control, robotics, and hydroponics to grow leafy greens tailored for desert conditions and water scarcity. Their approach mirrors a broader national effort to expand local food production under initiatives like Make it in the Emirates. For producers,…
The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology expands its industrial talent programme by incorporating PepsiCo, aiming to boost local industrial capabilities and foster collaboration between government and private sector through the Future Industries Lab. The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has expanded its industrial talent program by bringing PepsiCo into the fold. This move essentially invites one of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods companies to join the national effort aimed at supporting Emirati trainees and small businesses. The agreement, which was signed during the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates, aims to grow the…
Dubai’s first accelerator batch at Dubai Founders HQ has generated 36 proof-of-concept projects in 100 days, showcasing a move towards pragmatic, demand-led startup growth that bridges entrepreneurs with corporate needs and government support. Dubai’s effort to convert startup initiatives into tangible business outcomes has taken another meaningful step forward. Recently, Dubai Founders HQ wrapped up its first accelerator batch, generating 36 proof-of-concept opportunities in just a hundred days, pretty impressive, right? This project, supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism along with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, was carried out in partnership with the global innovation platform…
At the Blue Resource Summit 2026 in Dubai, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure unveiled a strategic shift towards embedding water resilience within climate adaptation and infrastructure planning, emphasising innovation, digitalisation, and international collaboration. During the Blue Resource Summit 2026 held in Dubai, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure emphasized a key point: water resilience isn’t just about managing water anymore, it’s becoming a vital part of climate preparedness, infrastructure planning, and the country’s overall green transition. As reported by Al Ittihad, the ministry actively participated in several main sessions and expert panels at the event. They laid…
