2:34 pm - 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
**Dubai:** DesertBoard has launched its inaugural sustainable 240 sqm home in Dubai Creek Harbour made entirely from fire-resistant Palm Strand Board panels, marking a pioneering step in adaptable, resilient green construction that drew global interest at the Dubai Wood Show. DesertBoard, a prominent company in the sustainable building materials sector, has unveiled its inaugural sustainable home model in Dubai Creek Harbour. This pioneering development is noteworthy for being constructed entirely from panels made from palm fronds, referred to as Palm Strand Board (PSB®). The project emphasizes the design versatility and structural integrity of PSB, reinforcing its potential for residential applications…
Dubai: The Attire, a new UAE-based platform co-founded by three women, is transforming sustainable fashion by fostering a community focused on luxury resale and conscious consumption, aiming to reshape the Middle East’s approach to responsible wardrobe choices. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to be a hub for innovative sustainable initiatives, particularly within the fashion sector. Amongst a growing landscape of fashion startups, a new platform named The Attire is emerging as a significant player, focusing on luxury resale with a sustainable angle. Co-founded by three women—Salma Cherké (SC), Hana Amin (HA), and Faeeza Adams (FA)—The Attire aims to…
**Middle East:** The region’s GDP is projected to exceed $4.1 trillion in 2025, driven by $3 trillion in GCC infrastructure projects and surging foreign direct investment, as Gulf states accelerate economic diversification and mega-project developments like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and the UAE’s fintech growth. The Middle East is poised to enter 2025 with a projected regional GDP exceeding $4.1 trillion, as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This growth is largely attributed to economic diversification efforts, significant public investment, and rapid advancements in key sectors such as energy, technology, and infrastructure. Current estimates indicate that there are over $3…
**Abu Dhabi**: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s Bottle Return Scheme has recycled over 2,000 tonnes of plastic bottles in 2023-24, reducing emissions by 3.5 million kilograms and supporting the emirate’s goal of a 22% carbon cut by 2027 through expanded Reverse Vending Machines and community engagement. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the preeminent environmental regulator in the Middle East, has announced significant achievements in its sustainability efforts through the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy. Central to this initiative is the EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, which was launched in 2023 and has successfully recovered over 2,000 tonnes of…
**UAE**: The UAE has introduced the Blue Visa, a 10-year residency programme targeting global leaders in sustainability, offering work flexibility, family sponsorship, and access to healthcare and education to support long-term contributions to environmental protection and green innovation. The United Arab Emirates has recently introduced the UAE Blue Visa, a 10-year long-term residency programme aimed at attracting individuals who make significant contributions to environmental sustainability. This initiative is part of the country’s broader commitment to sustainable development and its ambition to establish itself as a global leader in environmental protection and green innovation. The UAE Blue Visa, launched as…
**Dubai:** The Terra Forum 2025 took place at Emirates Financial Towers, gathering over 150 global leaders to discuss sustainable investment, energy transition, blockchain technologies, and climate innovation, with key partnerships promoting impact-driven venture capital and the UK-UAE Investment Bridge initiative. Dubai, UAE – April 30, 2025 – The Terra Forum 2025 convened this week at the Emirates Financial Towers in Dubai, positioning itself as a leading international conference focused on sustainable investing and energy innovation. The event attracted over 150 influential participants representing 30 countries, encompassing a wide spectrum of stakeholders including investors, policymakers, venture capitalists, family office leaders, and…
**Sharjah**: BGR Tech Ltd and Chemie Tech have signed a Heads of Agreement to jointly develop multi-megawatt turnkey green hydrogen and ammonia projects worldwide, combining expertise in electrolysis technology and project engineering to advance sustainable energy solutions. BGR Tech Ltd and Chemie Tech have entered into a strategic partnership through a Heads of Agreement (HOA) to collaboratively develop multi-megawatt lump sum turnkey (LSTK) green hydrogen and ammonia projects worldwide. This agreement sets out a framework for the two companies to combine their expertise in order to advance the global deployment of green hydrogen technologies. Under the terms of the partnership,…
**Dubai**: UNS Farms is transforming food production in the UAE through innovative vertical farming that uses 90% less water and produces pesticide-free vegetables year-round, supporting Dubai’s Food Security Strategy and promoting sustainable agriculture. UNS Farms is spearheading a transformation in food production within the United Arab Emirates by integrating innovation with sustainability in urban agriculture. Founded in 2018 as a part of the Speedex Group, UNS Farms has rapidly evolved into one of Dubai’s most sophisticated vertical farming operations. Occupying 30,000 square feet, the farm utilises an advanced eight-tier vertical farming system to cultivate up to 1,500 kilograms of fresh,…
**Abu Dhabi**: Almaden is set to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE, investing USD 240 million in a photovoltaic glass production line at KIZAD, aiming for 500,000 tons annual output to strengthen its overseas operations and market presence. Almaden has announced plans to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary, Almaden Glass Industry Co., in the United Arab Emirates as part of its strategy to expand its overseas operations and strengthen its market presence. This initiative will be carried out through Almaden’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Almaden (Middle East and North Africa) Co. Ltd., with the new company’s name already approved by relevant local…
**Global:** DP World achieved 65% renewable electricity sourcing in 2024 and invested $1.17bn in sustainable supply chains targeting healthcare logistics. The company issued landmark Green and Blue Bonds, enhancing environmental efforts including marine projects and community development, reaffirming strong ESG commitments. DP World, a global leader in logistics, has announced that it sourced 65 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy in 2024, according to its recently released Sustainability Report. This milestone represents a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The Sustainability Report, published in 2024, outlines DP World’s substantial investments in green…
