6:45 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…
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
**Abu Dhabi**: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office has partnered with Ignite Energy Access to set up its global headquarters in the city, aiming to enhance renewable energy initiatives and provide sustainable electricity to millions in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has formalised a partnership with Ignite Energy Access to establish the company’s global headquarters in Abu Dhabi. His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, announced the agreement, emphasising the office’s commitment to supporting Ignite Energy Access in scaling its operations and broadening its regional and global presence. Al-Olama highlighted the importance of this initiative…
**Abu Dhabi**: Aldar Properties announces a successful 500 million dollars green bond issuance, attracting demand of 3.6 billion dollars. With a profit rate of 5.25%, the move strengthens its financial strategy while promoting sustainability through investments in energy-efficient projects and initiatives to reach net-zero emissions. Aldar Properties, a subsidiary of Aldar Group, has recently announced the successful issuance of 500 million dollars in 10-year green bonds. This move is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its financial standing and commit to sustainability in alignment with its broader financial goals. The bond issuance attracted significant investor interest, with demand exceeding…
**Dubai**: GEMS Education has announced a significant renewable energy deal with Positive Zero, launching solar panel installations across 23 schools. This initiative is set to produce 21.25 GWh of electricity annually, significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. GEMS Education, a leading education provider in the UAE, has entered into a landmark renewable energy agreement with Positive Zero, marking the largest deal of its kind in the nation’s education sector. The initiative involves the comprehensive design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of solar panels across 23 GEMS schools situated in Dubai. This ambitious project will deploy…
**UAE**: Tabreed has raised $700 million via its first five-year green sukuk, significantly oversubscribed at 2.6 times. The funds will support environmentally sustainable projects, reflecting the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing its global financial footprint through its $1.5 billion certificate program. Tabreed, a prominent district cooling provider based in the UAE, has successfully raised $700 million through its inaugural five-year green sukuk. This issuance represents a critical step under the company’s broader $1.5 billion trust certificate program and will be listed on the international securities market of the London Stock Exchange, bolstering Tabreed’s global financial footprint. The…
**Dubai**: The UAE has emerged as the leader in sustainable bond issuance in the Middle East for 2024, with $7.4 billion raised. This growth is bolstered by significant commitments from financial institutions, particularly in energy projects, and forecasts suggest continued upward momentum in the coming years. The UAE has emerged as the leader in the sustainable bond issuance market in the Middle East for the year 2024, with total issuances reaching an impressive $7.4 billion, according to a report by S&P Global. This report provides an insightful outlook on sustainability bond and sukuk issuances, highlighting that financial institutions in the…
**Abu Dhabi**: A new joint venture between ADQ and Orion Resource Partners aims to strengthen supply chains in the metals industry, committing USD 1.2 billion over four years to source essential minerals and support the UAE’s transition to a sustainable, green economy. A new joint venture named Orion Abu Dhabi has been established between ADQ, a sovereign investor from Abu Dhabi, and Orion Resource Partners, a significant player in the metals and materials investment sector. This 50-50 venture aims to bolster supply chain security by investing strategically in the metals and mining industry, with an initial commitment of USD 1.2…
**UAE**: Al Ain Water unveils the UAE’s first 100% recycled PET bottle to combat plastic waste in the bottled water sector, aiming to lower environmental impact while inspiring global brands to adopt sustainable packaging practices. Al Ain Water has announced the launch of the UAE’s first 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottle, a development aimed at bolstering sustainability efforts within the bottled water industry. This initiative comes in response to the rising concern surrounding plastic waste, particularly in a region where consumption of bottled water is notably high, with residents averaging around 450 bottles per person each year. The introduction of…
**Abu Dhabi**: The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has unveiled a new geospatial data platform to enhance agricultural water resource management and promote sustainability, aiming to reduce groundwater consumption and optimise irrigation techniques by 2027, bolstering food security efforts nationwide. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates has announced the development of a geospatial data platform focused on agricultural and water resources, following a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to address climate challenges and promote sustainability within…
**Ras Al Khaimah**: This lesser-known emirate in the UAE is transforming into a hub for green energy and smart technology, focusing on sustainability and urban innovation. Key initiatives include reducing energy consumption, smart city development, and advanced tourism experiences, setting a global model for environmental efforts. Ras Al Khaimah, one of the lesser-known emirates of the United Arab Emirates, is undergoing a significant transformation as it positions itself as a hub for technological innovation and sustainability. Recognised predominantly for its stunning natural landscapes and cultural heritage, Ras Al Khaimah is now making substantial strides towards becoming a future-focused urban centre.…
**United Arab Emirates**: Addis Energy is innovating ammonia production with a carbon-free approach, integrating advanced catalysis and subsurface chemistry. The company aims to significantly reduce emissions and production costs, positioning itself as a leader in sustainability efforts within the climate technology sector. In the burgeoning landscape of climate technology start-ups based in the United Arab Emirates, Addis Energy has emerged as a noteworthy contender. The company is driving innovation in ammonia production, a sector long recognised for its significant carbon emissions and environmental impact. Through its groundbreaking approach, Addis Energy aims to facilitate a transition towards affordable and sustainable energy…
