11:26 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…
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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…
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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,…
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**Abu Dhabi**: Emsteel launches its first Green Finance Framework to fund low-carbon steel and cement production, renewable energy, and energy-efficient projects, aiming to cut emissions by 30-40% by 2030 and secure investor confidence with strong regional bank support and a high Moody’s sustainability rating. EMSTEEL Launches Green Finance Framework to Propel Sustainable Development In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Abu Dhabi-based EMSTEEL, a prominent manufacturer of steel and building materials, has unveiled its inaugural Green Finance Framework. This initiative aims to harmonise the company’s financial strategy with its long-term sustainability objectives, establishing EMSTEEL as a forerunner in sustainable finance…
**Sharjah**: NoorNation’s solar-powered desalination and Faunatech’s mobile livestock diagnostics secured top prizes at the 2024 Access Sharjah Challenge, highlighting fresh technology-driven solutions addressing water scarcity and animal health to boost sustainable agriculture across the MENA region. NoorNation and Faunatech Triumph at the 2024 Access Sharjah Challenge The sixth edition of the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC), an initiative designed to prop up innovation in agritech and livestock health, has culminated in a remarkable showcase of talent and innovation. Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), this year’s challenge responded to pressing themes within the agricultural sector, inviting growth-stage startups from around…
**Abu Dhabi**: Mubadala Investment Company’s assets under management surged 9.1% to AED 1.2 trillion in 2024, driven by a 34% rise in technology, private credit, and manufacturing investments. The fund’s international exposure, particularly in AI and North America, underpins Abu Dhabi’s wider economic diversification ambitions. Mubadala Investment Company’s Strategic Growth Amid Diversification Efforts Mubadala Investment Company’s recent financial report reveals a robust performance, with assets under management increasing by 9.1% in 2024, reaching AED 1.2 trillion (approximately $326.74 billion). This surge is attributed to a marked uptick in strategic investments across technology, manufacturing, and private credit sectors. As Abu…
**Middle East:** Facing intensifying water scarcity due to climate and population pressures, Middle Eastern countries are scaling up wastewater recycling. Innovations in Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE demonstrate how treated wastewater supports agriculture, industry, and energy, reducing reliance on costly desalination and advancing circular resource economies. Transforming Wastewater into a Resource: Lessons from Water Recycling in the Middle East As the Middle East faces unprecedented water stress due to population growth, rapid urbanisation, and climate change, water recycling has emerged as a critical strategy for sustainable resource management. Traditionally reliant on overdrawn aquifers and energy-intensive desalination, countries in this region…
**Middle East and North Africa**: The MENA region saw startup funding jump 300% year-on-year to $228.4 million in April 2025, driven primarily by a $135 million pre-IPO round in Saudi Arabia and high investor appetite for fintech and B2B ventures amidst a sharp sector recovery. MENA’s Startup Ecosystem Experiences Remarkable Growth Amidst Shifting Investor Trends In April 2025, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) startup ecosystem witnessed a significant upswing in funding, drawing in a total of $228.4 million across 26 transactions. This remarkable figure represents a 105 percent increase compared to the previous month and a staggering 300…
**Dubai**: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority CEO Saeed Al Tayer met Austria’s economy minister to boost cooperation in renewable energy, focusing on AI integration and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. This partnership aims to accelerate Dubai’s Net Zero by 2050 goals through joint clean energy projects and innovation. Dubai’s Strategic Leap Towards Renewable Energy: A Focus on Global Collaboration In a significant development for renewable energy initiatives, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), held a meeting with HE Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy,…
**Abu Dhabi**: Damen Shipyards Group and Noatum Maritime sign agreement for a second fully electric RSD-E Tug 2513, reinforcing ambitions to lead sustainable and high-performance port operations at Khalifa Port, following the Middle East’s first electric tug’s record-setting debut. Damen and Noatum Maritime Sign Agreement for Second Fully Electric Tug Damen Shipyards Group has entered a significant agreement with Noatum Maritime, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, to deliver a second fully electric Damen RSD-E Tug 2513. The signing was officiated by Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster,…
**Dubai**: A carbon credit financier and Dubai-based investment firm have signed an MoU to launch a $100 million joint venture focused on decarbonisation, aligning with regional green finance trends and complementing major sustainability investments across Africa and the UAE. Investment Firms Forge Path Towards Climate Solutions with New Joint Venture In a significant development towards enhancing climate solutions globally, a carbon credit financier and a Dubai-based investment firm have formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is poised to establish a joint venture focused on decarbonisation initiatives, backed by an initial investment of $100 million aimed…
**United Arab Emirates**: The UAE’s renewable energy sector is poised to grow from 5.4 GW to 14 GW by 2030, driven by solar dominance, strategic policies, and emerging technologies like floating solar and green hydrogen integration, despite challenges in grid integration and skilled labour shortages. The UAE’s Renewable Energy Landscape: A Strategic Analysis for Growth The United Arab Emirates is positioning itself as a front-runner in the global clean energy transition, especially as it advances towards ambitious targets set by its national strategies. Key initiatives include Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aspires to achieve 75% clean energy, and Abu…
**United Arab Emirates**: The UAE has started an 18-month nationwide study involving 3,000 participants across seven emirates to measure food waste, support policy-making, and achieve its target to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. UAE Launches Groundbreaking Study to Combat Food Waste The United Arab Emirates is embarking on a pivotal initiative aimed at tackling food loss and waste that has far-reaching implications for sustainability, food security, and environmental conservation. Spearheaded by ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, this ambitious 18-month nationwide study will involve approximately 3,000 participants drawn from…
