Dubai’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 launches new guide to speed green building retrofits across the emirate
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…
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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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**Dubai**: The MENA region aims to enhance its solar photovoltaic sector by boosting local manufacturing and forming partnerships, while navigating tariff challenges. Analysts project significant growth in capacity, with countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia leading in renewable energy initiatives and energy storage advancements. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is poised for significant growth in its solar photovoltaic (PV) sector, despite ongoing global trade tensions and the complexities introduced by U.S.-imposed tariffs, according to Sohan Gwalani, a Research Analyst at Wood Mackenzie. Gwalani made these comments while attending the Intersolar & ees Middle East Conference in Dubai,…
**Abu Dhabi**: Chris Wright’s inaugural trip to the UAE highlights strong ties and discussions on energy security, AI integration in energy, and bilateral investment opportunities, all amid a volatile global energy landscape. Strategic meetings were held with prominent UAE officials to enhance collaboration across various sectors. The United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, has recently concluded his inaugural international trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a visit that underscores the enduring and constructive relationship between the two nations. This two-day visit took place against a backdrop of increasing volatility in global energy markets, highlighting the importance of cooperative…
**Abu Dhabi**: EMSTEEL’s CEO, Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, outlines the company’s advancements in industrial innovation and sustainability within the steel sector. With targets to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 and pioneering green hydrogen initiatives, EMSTEEL aims to position the UAE as a leader in low-carbon solutions. The UAE is making significant strides in industrial innovation and sustainability, particularly in the steel and building materials sector, driven by initiatives such as Operation 300bn. One of the key figures leading this transformation is Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, the group CEO of EMSTEEL. In a recent interview, Al Remeithi elaborated on…
**Dubai**: The National Center for Space Science and Technology presented cutting-edge satellite initiatives at Geospatial Week 2025, including the first Arab satellite with a hyperspectral camera. These projects aim to enhance environmental studies and support the UAE’s growing space sector through local talent development. The National Center for Space Science and Technology at the University of the Emirates recently participated in “Geospatial Week 2025,” held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where it showcased a range of advanced satellite programmes aimed at Earth observation and remote sensing. Among the highlights of the presentation was the Arab Satellite Project 813, which…
**Dubai**: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has launched a Sustainability and Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, providing students with hands-on education in renewable energy, alongside interactive exhibits showcasing advancements in clean technology. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has established a Sustainability and Innovation Centre aimed at educating students on sustainability and clean energy practices. Located within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the centre serves as a hub for young learners, providing them with various educational activities, interactive presentations, and practical experiences. Since its inception, the centre has attracted…
**UAE**: The United Arab Emirates is enhancing its position as a prime technology hub by attracting leading global firms through its ‘Next Generation of Foreign Direct Investment’ initiative, aiming to secure $500 million in investment and draw 300 tech companies into its economy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a key hub for multinational technology partnerships and foreign investments, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. This strategic development underscores the UAE’s ambition to foster innovation and boost economic growth through the “Next Generation of Foreign Direct Investment” initiative, which was launched in July 2022.…
UAE’s power generation landscape undergoes significant transformation towards low carbon energy
**Abu Dhabi**: The UAE achieves a milestone in low carbon energy generation, with 29.7% of its power now derived from such sources, up from 5.1% in 2020. This shift is driven by investments in renewable technologies and the Barakah nuclear power plant, amidst rising energy demands. The ongoing transformation of the United Arab Emirates’ power generation landscape has marked significant advancements into 2024, with low carbon energy sources now representing an unprecedented 29.7% of total power generation. This figure has seen a remarkable surge from just 5.1% recorded in 2020, indicating a pronounced shift towards sustainable energy solutions within the…
Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation enhances global recognition
**Abu Dhabi**: The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has expanded its criteria and scope since 2007, fostering global participation and enhancing the UAE’s role in sustainable agriculture while improving the livelihoods of those in the date palm sector. Since its inception in 2007, the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has undergone significant advancements, expanding its scope and enhancing its scientific criteria while achieving broader international recognition. Originally designed to support innovations in date palm cultivation and production, this award has now evolved to encompass a wider range of agricultural innovations, fostering participation…
**Dubai**: A new vertical farming initiative led by ReFarm Global aims to optimise resource efficiency and tackle food waste at the GigaFarm site. With advanced technology from Intelligent Growth Solutions, food production is expected to start later this year, diverting over 50,000 tonnes of waste annually. A substantial vertical farming project is underway at the GigaFarm site in Dubai, being developed by Dubai-based company ReFarm Global over a 900,000 square foot area. This initiative aims to create a self-contained closed-loop ecosystem that optimises resource efficiency and minimises waste, specifically targeting food waste to prevent it from ending up in landfills.…
**UAE**: Greenpeace MENA, Ajman University, and the UAE Universities Climate Network have introduced the UAE Wellbeing Economy Award to recognise groundbreaking contributions by young researchers in sustainability. The initiative seeks to redefine economic success prioritising wellbeing, social equity, and environmental health within the Gulf region. Greenpeace MENA, alongside Ajman University and the UAE Universities Climate Network, has recognised outstanding contributions to sustainability and innovation through the inaugural ‘Wellbeing Economy Award.’ This distinguished initiative aimed to honour the transformative work of young researchers and innovators in the UAE and the Gulf region. The award ceremony, held under the theme ‘The Future…

