Dubai’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 launches new guide to speed green building retrofits across the emirate
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…
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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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The UAE has launched a pioneering initiative to develop and commercialise resilient, water-efficient crops like millet and sorghum, aiming to strengthen food security amid rising temperatures and water scarcity. The UAE has recently kicked off a new effort to turn climate research into practical, commercial farming methods. This move was announced by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment along with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) at the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026. The main goal is to promote crops that can endure heat, salinity, and drought, issues that are becoming increasingly pressing across the region. This…
The UAE unveils the Young Farmer Seal at the Emirates Agriculture Conference, aiming to elevate young Emiratis in agriculture, foster market trust, and support the nation’s food self-sufficiency goals through a staged certification system. The UAE’s latest effort to boost local food production has taken an interesting turn, especially with a focus on younger generations. During the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Al Ain, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment revealed something called the Young Farmer Seal. This new certification aims to recognize youth-led agricultural ventures that meet certain standards of sustainability and quality. The announcement was…
Abu Dhabi University’s solar-powered air water generator aims to revolutionise water security in the UAE
Students and researchers at Abu Dhabi University are developing a solar-powered system that extracts water from air, combining renewable energy, innovative materials, and AI to address water scarcity in the UAE with a practical, low-impact solution. A group of students from Abu Dhabi University is currently working on a really interesting project, developing a solar-powered setup that pulls water straight from the air and transforms humidity into drinkable water. It’s quite a notable addition to the UAE’s growing lineup of climate technology solutions, which is encouraging to see. What makes this project pretty innovative is that it combines renewable energy,…
Omniconn becomes first Gulf company to attain UL 3115 AI safety certification for smart building platform
Omniconn, a UAE-based smart building technology firm, has achieved the Gulf region’s first UL 3115 certification for its Platform 4.0, marking a significant milestone in AI safety and responsible automation in critical infrastructure. A UAE-based company specializing in smart building technology has achieved something pretty notable, becoming the first in the Gulf region to obtain UL 3115 certification. This is a big deal because it highlights how crucial AI governance is becoming, especially when it comes to critical infrastructure. Omniconn announced that its Platform 4.0 has been evaluated and approved under UL Solutions’ new certification framework. Ul Solutions, for those…
Dubai’s renewable energy boom shifts towards large-scale projects and new business opportunities
Dubai transitions from ambitions to large-scale renewable projects, creating fresh opportunities and challenges for businesses in solar, storage, and green tech sectors amid rapid ecosystem expansion. Dubai’s renewable energy scene is shifting from just big ambitions to real-scale projects, and that shift is changing what’s needed to launch a business in this space. For companies targeting solar, storage, energy efficiency services, or green tech software, the opportunities are definitely there. But, of course, so are the hurdles , including both regulatory and technical challenges. DEWA’s latest public updates highlight how fast the city’s clean-energy ecosystem is expanding. Back in January…
Dubai collaborates with Silal to strengthen local food resilience through innovative logistics and technology
Dubai’s Environment and Climate Change Authority partners with Silal in a strategic move to enhance local food production, reduce waste, and build climate-resilient supply chains amid rising environmental challenges. The Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority has really stepped up its efforts surrounding food security, especially with a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Silal, which is an Abu Dhabi-based group specializing in agriculture, food, and tech. Basically, this move aims to boost local food production and make Dubai’s food system, well, more resilient, especially in tough times. This agreement was signed during the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition…
Etihad Rail and Al Masaood Automobiles have completed the UAE’s first rail movement of finished passenger cars, signalling a shift in the country’s logistical capabilities and sustainability efforts amid expanding rail services beyond bulk freight. Etihad Rail Freight and Al Masaood Automobiles recently executed the UAE’s very first rail movement of finished passenger cars , a pretty significant milestone, honestly , which highlights how the country’s rail network is starting to stretch beyond traditional freight tasks. The shipment involved transporting Nissan vehicles from Fujairah’s port all the way to a dry port at Industrial City Abu Dhabi, also known as…
Dubai’s DEWA Hackathon drives innovation with focus on AI and integrated clean energy solutions
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is expanding its annual CleanTech Hackathon, focusing on innovative solutions in AI, energy storage, and water conservation to accelerate the city’s climate and sustainability commitments. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is gearing up for the fourth edition of its well-established CleanTech Hackathon, scheduled from the 18th to the 20th of May. This year, they’re broadening the event’s reach as they seek fresh, innovative ideas to tackle climate change, water shortages, and related environmental challenges. Organized by DEWA’s Sustainability and Innovation Centre, the competition is open to a wide range of participants, including companies,…
UAE integrates agriculture into sustainability platform with innovative impact challenge
The UAE has launched a dedicated agricultural track within its Sustainable Impact Challenge, emphasising practical, innovative projects aimed at enhancing food security, boosting local productivity, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to transform the country’s farming landscape. The UAE is giving agriculture a fresh new role on one of its key sustainability platforms, thanks to a joint effort by Majra, the National CSR Fund, along with the UAE National Agricultural Center, which introduced a dedicated track under the Sustainable Impact Challenge. This development was revealed during the UAE Agricultural Exhibition and Conference 2026 at ADNEC Al Ain. The announcement was witnessed by…
The UAE leverages its Make it in the Emirates platform to turn new industrial policies into real-world business opportunities, with the fifth edition of MIITE kicking off in Abu Dhabi under the theme ‘Emerging Stronger’. The UAE is gearing up to leverage this year’s Make it in the Emirates platform to transform a wave of new industrial policies into a showcase of real-world business opportunities, as the fifth edition kicks off in Abu Dhabi from May 4 to 7. Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, MIITE 2026 is taking place under the theme “Emerging Stronger” at the…

