The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, reflecting significant investments and policy shifts towards sustainability, including waste management, biodiversity, and renewable energy expansion. The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index , and honestly, that really highlights…
Naseej advances its mission to create a sustainable textile sector in the UAE through 14 strategic collaborations spanning public and private sectors, aiming to develop a comprehensive circular economy model with pilot projects and policy support. Naseej’s drive to develop a circular textile economy in the UAE has now moved…
Positive Zero’s new loan facility marks the first of its kind in the Middle East, signalling increasing confidence in decentralised renewable projects across the GCC as part of the region’s energy transition. Positive Zero has successfully secured a $375 million loan facility, a move that will bolster decentralised energy infrastructure…
As the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards celebrate ten years, organisers emphasise their role in fostering meaningful environmental and governance improvements among regional organisations, reflecting a broader shift in sustainability being a key business asset. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has opened nominations for the tenth edition of…
The emirate introduces ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, a multi-year initiative encouraging residents and businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives across the emirate. Sharjah has rolled out a fresh, emirate-wide campaign focused on sustainability , kinda aiming to make everyday choices a bit…
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the third edition of its ‘Musta’dim’ programme, now integrating marine ecology and food security to inspire young minds and support the nation’s environmental and economic resilience. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has now rolled out the third…
DP World’s strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech marks a significant step in decentralising water solutions within global supply chains, aiming to enhance water resilience and sustainability across its international operations. DP World has recently taken a strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech, setting up pilot trials of atmospheric water…
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The UAE has unveiled the Global Youth Envoys for Water initiative, aiming to empower young leaders from vulnerable regions to influence global water governance ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has introduced a new initiative aimed at involving younger voices in global water diplomacy, ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. This move forms part of the country’s wider effort to connect climate action with international collaboration. Announced by the Arab Youth Centre during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, the programme called…
ENOC’s partnership with EVS aims to expand quick and specialised maintenance services for electric vehicles across key regions in the UAE, signalling a significant step towards integrated electric mobility support. ENOC has partnered up with EVS to expand access to quick maintenance services for electric vehicles right here in the UAE. This move really shows how the country’s charging and servicing network is feeling the heat , or, well, the pressure , to keep pace with the rapid rise in EV adoption. The plan is to offer speedy EV maintenance through AutoPro, ENOC’s established vehicle service network, at four selected…
Dubai Future Foundation’s latest foresight report spotlights practical steps to seize emerging global opportunities
The Dubai Future Foundation’s fifth edition of its foresight report emphasises actionable strategies and global collaborations to capitalise on technological and systemic opportunities shaping the future of the UAE and beyond. The Dubai Future Foundation has recently published the fifth edition of its flagship foresight report, broadening its focus on the technologies and systems that might influence future growth patterns in the UAE and beyond. Titled “Future Opportunities: The Global 50”, the report revisits fifty opportunities identified in earlier editions, assessing how much they have advanced. According to the Foundation, this latest version aims to help governments, organisations, and individuals…
Masdar secures $6.1 billion funding for first gigascale renewable power plant in Abu Dhabi
Masdar has reached financial close on a landmark $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to deliver around-the-clock renewable power and reinforce the UAE’s shift towards sustainable energy. Masdar has officially reached financial close on a massive $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, paving the way for what it claims will be the world’s first gigascale, around-the-clock renewable power plant. The company has secured about $5.1 billion in funding from a syndicate of 13 international and regional lenders, with an extra $1 billion put in as equity. According to Masdar, this funding…
A Dubai-based biotech firm is turning date palm residues into biofertilisers, boosting crop yields and soil health for thousands of small farmers, as part of a broader push towards a circular economy and climate resilience in the region. Dubai’s efforts to turn agricultural waste into a climate-smart business seem to be gaining real momentum, with a biotech start-up now transforming date palm residues into biofertilisers , a move that’s boosted crop yields, improved soils, and brought thousands of small farmers into a more circular production cycle. The company, called B-Vita, has been recognised as part of Dubai Future Solutions –…
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As geological exploration deepens and policy frameworks adapt, the Middle East’s unique geology and regulatory environment position it at the forefront of natural hydrogen development, promising a strategic shift in future energy landscapes. Natural hydrogen is shifting from being just a niche curiosity in geology to becoming a serious point…
Abu Dhabi introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling a broader push into aquatic smart mobility and innovation safety. Abu Dhabi has started tightening up its rules for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling that the emirate is broadening its smart…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy launches a new manual and verification tool aimed at preventing oversized air conditioning systems, potentially saving AED560 million annually and supporting the emirate’s sustainability goals. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has introduced a new manual aimed at cooling loads, one that’s designed to address…
The Sustainability Forum Middle East announces its advisory committee for the 2027 event, bringing together senior figures from government, energy, finance, and sustainability sectors to shape regional climate action and sustainable development strategies in Bahrain. The Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced its advisory committee for its fifth edition, which…
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Tadweer Group has awarded Urbaser a contract to develop Abu Dhabi’s first greenfield Material Recovery Facility, incorporating AI-driven sorting systems to boost recycling and reduce landfill reliance by 2028. Tadweer Group has taken quite a significant step forward in Abu Dhabi’s waste management plans, by awarding Urbaser a contract to develop the emirate’s very first greenfield Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This project is pretty much aimed at boosting recycling capacity and cutting down reliance on landfills, especially as the UAE moves deeper into its circular economy ambitions. As reported by UrduPoint and WAM, the new plant is expected to handle…
The UAE-based resale app LUVED introduces AI-driven tools and environmental impact features to promote faster, more personalised transactions and bolster trust within its community-focused, circular fashion platform. A resale app based in the UAE is really leaning into the use of artificial intelligence and sustainability , quite intentionally, it seems , as it tries to make the experience of buying second-hand luxury items feel more instant, personalised, and less wasteful. LUVED, a mobile-focused peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-loved luxury fashion and lifestyle products, has recently rolled out two new features within the app: LUVBOT, an AI-driven assistant, and My Impact, a…
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Aldar Properties launches sustainability-linked financing to bolster growth and ESG commitments
Aldar Properties has secured a AED 5 billion revolving credit facility linked to ESG targets, reflecting a strategic shift towards sustainable and diversified funding amid robust investor confidence and regional market trends. Aldar Properties has added another layer of financing linked to sustainability targets. They recently closed a five-year revolving credit facility worth AED 5 billion. The Abu Dhabi-based developer says this move will help them maintain a solid liquidity buffer and support their upcoming growth phases. According to their statement, the syndicated facility is tied to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. It’s structured across both conventional and Sharia-compliant…
Gulf region turns to public-private partnerships to build resilience amid escalating Iran tensions
As Iran tensions threaten Gulf economies and global energy markets, regional policymakers increasingly rely on public-private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure development, diversify energy sources, and enhance resilience against strategic shocks. The recent flare-up involving Iran has, once again, highlighted a tough truth for the Gulf region: strategic shocks, well, at least to me, don’t stay at the strategic level for long. They quickly ripple into energy markets, shipping lanes, insurance premiums, and even public finances. For governments in the Gulf, the challenge isn’t just about trying to contain a crisis anymore. It’s about figuring out how to keep their economies…
Swedish EV maker Clean Motion partners with Dubai-based Averroes Tech to establish local assembly and potentially full-scale manufacturing in the Gulf, aligning with regional climate and industrial policies. Clean Motion is stepping up its efforts to expand into the Gulf region, and it recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Averroes Tech Manufacturing, a Dubai-based company. This deal might see the Swedish EV maker go from just entering the market to setting up local assembly, and possibly even moving into full-scale manufacturing within the region. According to both companies, the partnership aims to push Clean Motion’s products across the Gulf,…
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has launched a pioneering microgrid project at its Sharjah headquarters, showcasing a significant step towards decentralised, resilient, and sustainable energy systems for government facilities, with plans for nationwide expansion. The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has started to promote microgrids as a key element in shaping future government infrastructure. They recently revealed what they call a strategic project aimed at boosting energy security, enhancing sustainability, and improving operational efficiency across federal facilities. This move aligns well with the government’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, which envisions a more advanced and resilient infrastructure.…
Dubai advances towards launch of commercial air taxi services with first vertiport completion
Dubai has announced the completion of its first commercial vertiport, marking a significant step towards launching passenger air taxi services by 2026 as part of its broader push into advanced urban mobility. Dubai has taken a notable step forward toward launching passenger air taxis, as announced by the Roads and Transport Authority along with Skyports Infrastructure. They stated that the technical completion of the city’s very first commercial vertiport has now been achieved near Dubai International Airport. This facility, which the partners claim is the first of its kind on a commercial scale, is meant to act as the main…
The UAE’s comprehensive food security strategy is embracing cutting-edge technologies, innovative awards, and sustainable farming practices to transform its food system into a resilient, self-sufficient network by 2051. Innovation has really become a core part of the UAE’s food security plans, with policymakers seeing the issue not just as an economic thing but as a matter of national resilience. That message is consistent throughout the country’s long-term strategy to create a safer, more productive, and less wasteful food system, while also lowering reliance on imports. At the center of all this is the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, which…
UAE researchers secure US patent for heat-resistant biopesticide to boost Gulf agriculture
Researchers at United Arab Emirates University have developed and patented a biopesticide designed to withstand the scorching heat of the Gulf region, promising a sustainable solution for local agriculture amid climate challenges. Researchers at United Arab Emirates University have managed to obtain a US patent for a biopesticide that’s designed to endure extreme heat. This breakthrough might actually prove quite useful for farming in the Gulf’s tough climate, where conditions can be brutal for crops. Based on reports in Arabic from 25h.app and an additional summary from Sharjah24, the team from the university’s College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine developed…
Dubai Municipality has revealed 36% completion of a AED 500 million project in Deira, aiming to strengthen flood defence and support the city’s rapid growth ahead of Dubai Urban Plan 2040. Dubai Municipality has announced that approximately 36% of a major stormwater drainage project in Deira is now complete. The goal? To bolster flood resilience across one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods. This project, which is part of the larger Tasreef initiative and comes with an estimated price tag of AED 500 million, is slated for completion by the end of 2027. The municipality explained that they reviewed the progress…
UAE’s Emirates Development Bank approves AED1 billion in one month, signalling accelerated industrial growth
The Emirates Development Bank swiftly approved AED1 billion in funding over a month, underscoring the UAE’s intensified push to boost local manufacturing, renewable energy, and technological capacity amidst regional uncertainties. Emirates Development Bank recently announced that it approved AED1 billion in funding in just one month. This really highlights how actively the state-backed lender is channeling capital into the UAE’s industrial landscape, especially as the country pushes to boost local manufacturing and cut down reliance on imported supply chains. The bank, which plays a central role in the UAE’s broader industrial development efforts, explained that these approvals are part of…
UAE and Jereh Group partner to develop integrated clean energy and industrial platform with focus on SMRs and battery materials
The UAE’s Ministry of Investment partners with Jereh Group to establish a pioneering energy and industrial ecosystem, spotlighting SMRs and battery sustainability as part of its Energy Strategy 2050 and stronger China-UAE ties. The UAE’s Ministry of Investment has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Jereh Group, aiming to develop an integrated clean energy and industrial platform within the country. This move highlights Abu Dhabi’s efforts to blend advanced manufacturing capabilities with low-carbon energy solutions. The announcement, made on April 18, saw the signing of the agreement by Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, the ministry’s undersecretary, and Li Weibin, who is…

