1:10 am - October 21, 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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**Middle East**: The region faces significant climate challenges but is embracing digital technologies to transform its agricultural sector. Innovations such as IoT sensors and smart irrigation are optimising water use and enhancing food security, providing a sustainable path forward in arid conditions. The Middle East, encompassing approximately 7.3 million square kilometres and home to an estimated 500 million inhabitants, is positioned as one of the most significant regions globally. However, it faces numerous challenges, notably armed conflicts that have affected growth forecasts by institutions such as the World Bank, and the impact of climate change, which has led to a…
**Dubai**: The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report credits the UAE as the leading entrepreneurial hub for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its robust support for startups through favourable policies, investment in innovation, and a dynamic environment fostering business growth and sustainability. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again secured its position as the leading destination for entrepreneurs, being ranked the best place in the world for fostering entrepreneurial ventures. This accolade comes as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for 2024/2025, where the UAE has topped the list for the fourth consecutive year, excelling among 56 assessed economies…
**Dubai**: The UAE and the wider Middle East are rapidly becoming the leading centres for private wealth management, driven by sustainability and technological investments, exceeding $1 trillion in potential private investments while surpassing traditional finance hubs amid global market shifts. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Middle East region are currently positioning themselves as the foremost global hubs for private wealth management, significantly surpassing traditional financial centres such as Switzerland and fast-tracking ahead of other regional players, namely London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This transformation has come as a response to substantial losses incurred by the wealthy in…
**Dubai**: The 2025 Dubai 100 list highlights shifting power dynamics in the UAE, showcasing emerging leaders in AI, climate innovation, and aerospace. The anticipated 2026 list points to a blend of traditional and modern sectors, reflecting generational changes and the growing influence of technology and sustainability. The 2025 Dubai 100 list is emerging as a significant indicator of the changing landscape of influence within the United Arab Emirates, reflecting not only the current power dynamics but also the anticipated trajectory of these dynamics. As the city prepares for the next iteration of this influential list, key sectors are suggested to…
**Abu Dhabi**: The Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park has signed an agreement with AIM Congress to bolster technology startups in the region. This partnership will provide tailored support for scaleups and enhance the visibility of the Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator programme. ABU DHABI (UAE): The Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) has formalised a partnership with AIM Congress, recognised as the world’s leading investment platform, to enhance the attraction of technology scaleups and foster innovation within the region. This agreement was established with a signing ceremony attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE…
**Dubai**: His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum held a meeting with Paolo Ruiz, focusing on investment opportunities in smart energy management and reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in line with its carbon neutrality goals. His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE, held a significant meeting on the 10th of October 2023 with Paolo Ruiz, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Eaton, renowned for its global leadership in smart power management technologies and services.…
**Dubai**: The Roads and Transport Authority has installed solar energy systems across 22 facilities, aiming to generate 32 million kilowatt-hours annually and reduce carbon emissions by 10,000 tonnes, in alignment with its Zero-Emissions Strategy 2050 and Dubai’s sustainability goals. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has announced the successful completion of solar energy systems installation at 22 of its buildings and facilities, marking a significant advancement in the emirate’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This initiative is a crucial component of the RTA’s broader Zero-Emissions Strategy 2050, which aligns with both the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the…
**MENA**: The region is aiming to become a leading global AI hub, but faces significant challenges in balancing rapid digital growth with sustainability. Key to this is ensuring a reliable, low-carbon power supply, vital for AI infrastructure, while exploring innovative energy solutions like small modular nuclear reactors. The MENA region is embarking on an ambitious journey aimed at establishing itself as a global digital and artificial intelligence (AI) hub, yet this transformation is accompanied by a pressing challenge: balancing AI-driven economic growth with sustainability goals. A critical consideration is ensuring adequate power supply that does not exacerbate reliance on fossil…
**MENA**: The region is on track to generate $320 billion from AI by 2030, but faces challenges such as rising electricity demand. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could provide sustainable energy solutions while meeting the needs of expanding datacentres, marking a pivotal shift in energy strategy. The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region is poised to establish itself as a significant player in the global digital and artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, anticipated to contribute around $320 billion to its economy by 2030. However, this ambitious growth trajectory raises a pressing question: how can MENA manage its AI expansion while…
**Dubai**: Desay Battery showcases cutting-edge lithium and sodium-ion batteries at the Middle East Energy exhibition, highlighting scalable modular systems, large-scale cabinets, and residential solutions designed for the region’s unique climate, as it aims to support the transition towards renewable energy in the Middle East. Desay Battery, a Chinese company specialising in energy storage solutions, showcased its latest products at the Middle East Energy exhibition in Dubai, an event notable for its emphasis on renewable energy and power advancements. The company unveiled a range of technologies, including advanced lithium-ion batteries and an innovative sodium-ion battery aimed at enhancing energy storage options…
