10:21 am - October 16, 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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Armela Farms leads the UAE’s move towards controlled environment agriculture, leveraging automation, AI, and hydroponics to transform desert farming into a sustainable, resource-efficient industry tailored for water-scarce conditions. The UAE’s push to boost food resilience is increasingly taking shape through farms that resemble tech campuses more than traditional fields. Armela Farms is one of the companies leading this transformation, utilizing automation, AI-driven climate control, robotics, and hydroponics to grow leafy greens tailored for desert conditions and water scarcity. Their approach mirrors a broader national effort to expand local food production under initiatives like Make it in the Emirates. For producers,…
The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology expands its industrial talent programme by incorporating PepsiCo, aiming to boost local industrial capabilities and foster collaboration between government and private sector through the Future Industries Lab. The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has expanded its industrial talent program by bringing PepsiCo into the fold. This move essentially invites one of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods companies to join the national effort aimed at supporting Emirati trainees and small businesses. The agreement, which was signed during the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates, aims to grow the…
Dubai’s first accelerator batch at Dubai Founders HQ has generated 36 proof-of-concept projects in 100 days, showcasing a move towards pragmatic, demand-led startup growth that bridges entrepreneurs with corporate needs and government support. Dubai’s effort to convert startup initiatives into tangible business outcomes has taken another meaningful step forward. Recently, Dubai Founders HQ wrapped up its first accelerator batch, generating 36 proof-of-concept opportunities in just a hundred days, pretty impressive, right? This project, supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism along with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, was carried out in partnership with the global innovation platform…
At the Blue Resource Summit 2026 in Dubai, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure unveiled a strategic shift towards embedding water resilience within climate adaptation and infrastructure planning, emphasising innovation, digitalisation, and international collaboration. During the Blue Resource Summit 2026 held in Dubai, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure emphasized a key point: water resilience isn’t just about managing water anymore, it’s becoming a vital part of climate preparedness, infrastructure planning, and the country’s overall green transition. As reported by Al Ittihad, the ministry actively participated in several main sessions and expert panels at the event. They laid…
At a Dubai panel discussion, industry leaders and policymakers explore how lifecycle assessment, digital tools, and policies can drive meaningful emissions reductions in packaging across the Gulf region, signalling a shift towards systemic climate-neutral strategies. Emirates Environmental Group recently held its second panel discussion of 2026, and this time, the spotlight was on packaging emissions. They really wanted to look at it not just as a niche sustainability issue, but as a real, practical challenge for climate action. The event took place in Dubai, with a title that was quite comprehensive: “Decarbonising Packaging: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon Footprint, Innovation…
The UAE Circular Economy Council launched 2026 by focusing on transforming circular economy ambitions into actionable initiatives, emphasising food resilience, technological innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to boost sustainability and industry growth. The UAE Circular Economy Council kicked off 2026 by sharpening its focus on a few key areas, food security, industrial innovation, and practically speaking, turning the country’s circular economy ambitions into reality. Led by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism, the meeting brought together folks from government, private businesses, and academia. They gathered at Barakat Quality Plus Group, a Dubai-based company renowned for its…
The UAE emirate signs two memoranda of understanding with Chinese banks, seeking to boost investments in industry, logistics, and clean energy, signalling a strategic shift in regional economic ties. Ras Al Khaimah has been working on strengthening its economic ties with China, recently signing two memoranda of understanding , one with Bank of China and another with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. This move is pretty much aimed at attracting more investments into the emirate’s industrial projects and infrastructure plans. Now, the agreements go beyond just banking partnerships. They’re designed to boost activities in manufacturing, logistics, ports, renewable energy,…
Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation are exploring collaborative initiatives to embed research and expertise into the emirate’s push for sustainable, efficient energy, signalling a shift towards innovation-driven growth. Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy, alongside the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, has recently started discussions aimed at deeper collaboration in knowledge sharing, specialized expertise, and research support. This move really highlights Dubai’s broader strategy to link its energy policies with innovation and human capital development. The meeting brought together Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, the secretary-general of Dubai’s Supreme Council of…
Environmental Finance has announced the winners of its first Middle East Transition Finance Awards, spotlighting a new wave of innovative deals that support the region’s shift towards a lower-carbon economy amid growing private sector participation. Environmental Finance has announced the winners of its inaugural Middle East Transition Finance Awards, signaling a fresh wave of momentum in a market still figuring out how to scale up climate finance effectively. These awards are meant to recognize bond and loan deals that are helping the region transition towards a lower-carbon and more resilient economy. They also highlight institutions that are shaping the upcoming…
Creative Zone, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, and Mashreq NEO BIZ launch an all-in-one startup setup initiative in the UAE, streamlining licensing, banking, and operational services to boost early-stage entrepreneurship. Creative Zone has rolled out a new startup setup initiative in the UAE, teaming up with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone and Mashreq NEO BIZ to better support first-time founders , folks who often find the early stages of establishing a company pretty challenging. The Young Entrepreneurs’ Business Setup Program is basically an all-in-one package that bundles licensing, banking access, and basic operational help. For many early-stage entrepreneurs, those tasks…
