7:55 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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**UAE**: In response to global sustainability goals, start-up climate tech firms are emerging in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on innovative solutions for water management and scarcity. Companies like Cox lead the way, integrating renewable energy into desalination processes to enhance water supply and reduce carbon emissions. In the context of a global push towards sustainability, a number of start-up climate tech businesses are emerging in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), driven by a commitment to environmental responsibility and the urgent need for innovative solutions to water scarcity. Recognising the critical importance of water as a resource, these companies are…
**United Arab Emirates**: Innovative start-up Farmhood, founded by Selin Arslan, is tackling food waste by transforming surplus produce into vegan protein. With early revenues surpassing €30,000, Farmhood is pioneering sustainable solutions for the food industry and responding to the growing demand for plant-based dietary options. Innovative start-up climate tech companies are emerging in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signalling a shift towards a more sustainable future in food production. Prominent among these is Farmhood, founded by Selin Arslan, an industrial engineer with a strong commitment to sustainability. Based in the UAE, Farmhood has made it its mission to combat food…
**UAE**: Key stakeholders, including Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas of the Green Finance Institute, stress the need for substantial investments in green infrastructure to meet global net zero targets, predicting a necessary $4 trillion by 2030, whilst advocating for public-private partnerships and robust financial models. The recent discussion surrounding investments in climate technology businesses within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has gained momentum, highlighted by influential stakeholders in the field. Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, the chief executive of the Green Finance Institute and chair of the National Wealth Fund Taskforce, has underscored the importance of substantial investments in green infrastructure to achieve long-term…
**UAE**: Celebrating International Women’s Day, we highlight pioneering female entrepreneurs in the UAE whose innovative businesses are advancing gender equality while promoting sustainability and community welfare. From transforming retail to tackling food waste, these women are making impactful contributions across various sectors. International Women’s Day on 8 March is an occasion prompting a global call to action towards gender equality. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” spotlights women entrepreneurs in the UAE who are not only pursuing business success but also contributing meaningfully to sustainability and humanitarian efforts. The Ethicalist presents an insightful look at several pioneering female figures leading innovative…
**Abu Dhabi**: Crimson Founders successfully launched The Crimson Collective Week 1.0, showcasing 19 startups from MIT and Harvard at a key event during Investopia 2025, with innovative ventures awarded for their contributions to the UAE and MENA region. Crimson Founders has wrapped up a successful inaugural event in the United Arab Emirates, titled The Crimson Collective Week 1.0, held from February 24-28, 2025. This week-long initiative aimed at integrating MIT and Harvard-affiliated startups into the UAE’s investment landscape included 19 startups selected from a competitive pool of 52 applicants. The initiative featured collaborations with major UAE organisations such as…
**Abu Dhabi**: The UAE’s Ministry of Economy partners with Schneider Electric in the NextGen FDI initiative, aimed at boosting the innovation landscape and supporting climate-tech startups, aligning with the country’s sustainability goals and commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. The Ministry of Economy in the United Arab Emirates has officially welcomed Schneider Electric as the latest strategic partner in its NextGen FDI initiative, which is designed to attract and support global companies looking to establish a presence in the UAE. This development marks a significant move towards bolstering the UAE’s innovation landscape, particularly in the sectors of sustainability and climate technology.…
**Dubai**: A new DMCC report reveals that the demand for essential minerals like lithium and cobalt is projected to soar 75-fold by 2050, reshaping international trade and highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities, with the MENA region emerging as a key player in the sector. The surging demand for critical minerals, driven by advances in digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and the global energy transition, is anticipated to dramatically reshape international trade, with projections indicating a potential 75-fold increase in demand by the year 2050. This information is detailed in the latest special edition report from the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), titled “The…
**Dubai**: EMSTEEL has unveiled a new decarbonisation strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in its Steel Business Unit and 30% in its Cement Business Unit by 2030, aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment and enhancing its sustainability efforts. EMSTEEL, a prominent manufacturer of steel and building materials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has recently launched a comprehensive decarbonization strategy aimed at significantly reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The initiative is set against a backdrop of global concerns regarding climate change and aligns with several strategic commitments established by the UAE, including…
**Abu Dhabi**: The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, has revealed its partners for a pioneering gigascale renewable energy project, integrating solar PV and advanced battery systems to provide 24/7 clean energy, addressing renewable energy intermittency issues while setting a new benchmark in innovation. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, known as Masdar, has recently unveiled its selected partners for a groundbreaking renewable energy project aimed at providing continuous clean energy. The initiative focuses on developing the world’s first large-scale ‘round the clock’ gigascale project that will integrate solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation with an advanced battery energy storage system (BESS).…
**Dubai**: Ahmed bin Saeed led a meeting to discuss advancements in carbon emission reduction technologies, part of Dubai’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy. The discussions included improved efficiency for district cooling services and mandatory adherence to the Dubai Green Building System for government projects starting in 2026. Ahmed bin Saeed, chair of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, convened a meeting on Sunday to assess advancements in technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This initiative is part of the broader UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2030. The meeting highlighted the importance of these strategies in…
