6:20 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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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…
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…
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…
Abu Dhabi’s fleet of hydrogen and electric buses has traveled over 1.3 million kilometres, demonstrating the city’s growing commitment to low-emission public transportation and supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. Abu Dhabi’s fleet of eco-friendly buses has now traveled over 1.3 million kilometres, according to the Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility. This is part of the emirate’s ongoing effort to boost lower-emission public transportation options. Their fleet, which started operating in 2024, includes both hydrogen fuel cell buses and battery-electric models. Seeing this milestone reach means the program is moving beyond just a trial phase…
UNS Vertical Farms has launched a 10,000 square metre controlled-environment tomato facility in Al Ain, utilising AI, hydroponics, and water-efficient technology to strengthen the UAE’s local food supply amid climate and geopolitical challenges. UNS Vertical Farms has recently opened a new tomato-growing facility in Al Ain, which adds another layer to the UAE’s overall efforts to develop a more resilient local food system, you know? The site spans around 10,000 square meters and aims to produce roughly 150,000 kilograms of fresh tomatoes annually. So, it’s not a giant operation, but it definitely reflects a growing trend in the Gulf region…
A new report warns that the environmental damage stemming from the US-Israeli conflict on Iran could have enduring effects on Gulf ecosystems, water supplies, and critical infrastructure, necessitating a shift towards proactive resilience measures. A recent report from the Arab Gulf States Institute issues a warning that the environmental impacts resulting from the US-Israeli conflict on Iran could last much longer than the fighting itself. The fragile ecosystems, water supplies, and energy infrastructure in the Gulf are all vulnerable to enduring harm. The study, authored by Omani researcher and policy specialist Dr. Aisha Al Sarihi along with environmental policy researcher…
Altèrra, the Abu Dhabi-based fund, is shifting its climate focus towards supporting digital and infrastructural projects that meet the rising global energy demand driven by AI, population growth, and economic expansion, indicating a broader approach to sustainable investing. ALTÉRRA is positioning itself as a climate-focused investor, but with a broader perspective in mind, one that’s tailored for a world where the demand for power is constantly rising, rather than just a niche solely dedicated to clean energy generation. During a talk at Semafor World Economy in Washington, DC, Majid Al-Suwaidi, the company’s CEO, explained that the Abu Dhabi-based fund is…
Vienna-based Speedinvest announces its first flagship fund targeting early growth-stage startups across the Middle East and Africa, backed by major regional and European investors, aiming to foster cross-border innovation and inclusion. Speedinvest has just announced the launch of its very first flagship fund aimed at early growth-stage startups in the Middle East and Africa. This marks a more formal entry into a region where, honestly, the Vienna-based venture firm has already been active for quite a while, building relationships, backing companies, and gaining familiarity. So, it’s not exactly popping up overnight, but rather a strategic step to deepen their presence.…
Dubai’s Dh150 million initiative to install EV chargers at parks, beaches, and recreational areas seeks to integrate sustainable mobility seamlessly into everyday life, accelerating electric vehicle adoption in the city. Dubai is taking a fresh approach to encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, by bringing charging stations closer to where people already spend their time. The government recently announced a Dh150 million initiative, done in partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, or UAEV. The plan is to set up electric vehicle chargers across 600 parking spots in public parks, beaches, and recreational areas. According to The National, this isn’t…
