4:42 pm - 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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South Korea unveils a comprehensive plan to transform its energy system by 2030, targeting a 20% renewable energy share, phased coal closures, and boosted domestic green technology manufacturing, aiming to secure energy independence and accelerate industrial decarbonisation. South Korea has laid out quite an extensive plan to overhaul its energy system by 2030. The goal is to push the share of electricity produced from renewables to at least 20%, and they aim to add around 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity overall. The government emphasizes that this shift isn’t just about cleaner energy; it’s also about reducing reliance on imported fuels,…
Dubai allocates Dh150 million to develop over 600 EV supercharging points in parks, beaches, and community areas, aiming to make electric vehicle charging more accessible and integrated into daily life, supporting the city’s sustainability goals. Dubai is actually taking steps to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network beyond just highways and busy commercial zones. They’ve allocated about Dh150 million to develop more supercharging points at roughly 600 parking spots located in parks, beaches, and other leisure areas. This project, which was announced by Dubai Municipality in partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, also known as UAEV, aims to…
A team of engineering students at the American University of Sharjah has developed AgriDrone, an AI-powered agricultural drone designed to enhance crop monitoring, early issue detection, and resource efficiency, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability ambitions. A group of engineering students at the American University of Sharjah has come up with an innovative AI-powered agricultural drone, aimed at helping farmers keep a closer eye on their crops and catch issues early on. Their project, dubbed AgriDrone, integrates aerial imaging, 3D mapping, and machine learning techniques to spot early signs of nutrient deficiencies and pest problems across large farming terrains. The team…
Chinese autonomous vehicle firm WeRide launches full-scale driverless taxi services in Dubai and Singapore, signalling a rapid move from testing to commercialisation across key Asian cities. WeRide has shifted from limited testing to full commercial autonomous services in two Asian cities on the very same day, kind of a striking move, really, highlighting how fast this technology is moving from simple demonstrations to everyday urban transport. In Dubai, for example, the Chinese autonomous vehicle specialist, along with Uber, has begun charging fares for driverless robotaxi trips in areas like Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Rides are now bookable through Uber’s “Autonomous”…
A new 10,000-square-metre greenhouse in Al Ain harnesses AI, hydroponics, and digital monitoring to produce fresh tomatoes year-round, reinforcing the UAE’s push for sustainable, local food production amid climate challenges. A fresh tomato greenhouse in Al Ain is adding yet another piece to the puzzle of the UAE’s efforts to boost local food production, as agritech companies keep investing in controlled-environment farming that’s well-suited for the Gulf’s climate. UNS Vertical Farms, which is part of the Speedex Group, has recently opened a 10,000-square-metre facility aimed at producing roughly 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes each year. The company’s saying this project will…
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has doubled its green financing efforts, mobilising AED 20.3 billion in 2025, signalling a shift towards sustainability becoming central to its growth strategy amid UAE’s broader climate ambitions. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has really stepped up its involvement in the UAE’s growing sustainable finance scene. By the end of 2025, it claims to have mobilized and facilitated about AED 20.3 billion in funding dedicated to sustainability initiatives. That’s quite a jump from the more than AED 17 billion reported at the end of 2024, and it moves the bank closer to its ambitious target…
Recent inspections and investments highlight the UAE’s evolving approach to dam management, turning these structures into key components of a comprehensive water strategy that emphasises rainwater capture, digital monitoring, and infrastructure resilience amid climate change. The UAE’s dams are starting to serve more than just flood-control purposes. Recently, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei emphasized the importance of capturing and making use of rainwater that might otherwise be lost after storms, highlighting a broader, more strategic role for these structures. He was inspecting dams in the Eastern Region, checking how prepared they were, how well they performed during…
As the Gulf accelerates its AI industry, experts warn that water scarcity and climate conditions pose a fundamental obstacle, necessitating innovative, sustainable cooling and resource management strategies. The Gulf’s rapid push into artificial intelligence is running into a hurdle that’s perhaps even more fundamental than computing resources or capital: water. A recent policy brief by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs highlights that the build-out of data centres in the region shouldn’t be viewed purely as an electrical or power issue. Because, frankly, the cooling requirements for these facilities are set to increase fastest during the hottest months, right…
Mubadala’s 2025 report highlights a significant boost to Abu Dhabi’s economy, with new platform launches, regional expansion, and investments in real estate, industrials, healthcare, and renewable energy, signalling an era of strategic growth beyond hydrocarbons. Mubadala announced that in 2025, its investments in the UAE provided a significant boost to the economy, highlighting the role of the state investor, not just as a capital provider but also as a catalyst for scaling up industry, creating jobs, and supporting long-term diversification efforts in Abu Dhabi. Based on their yearly report, Mubadala’s activities added around AED45 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP last…
Dubai’s mosque parking lots are set to become vital components of the city’s expanding electric vehicle infrastructure through a new partnership, blending community spaces with green mobility solutions. Dubai’s mosque car parks are about to become a part of the city’s expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, following an agreement signed between the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, also known as UAEV. The plan involves installing and operating charging stations at select religious sites across Dubai. This deal grants UAEV temporary rights, initially for eight years, with a possible renewal. During this period, the…
