8:33 pm - May 18, 2026The ongoing Middle East conflict is causing short-term delays and rising costs in renewable energy projects across the region, but is also prompting a strategic move towards local manufacturing to enhance energy resilience. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already having a noticeable impact on the deployment of…
DHL Express partners with SAF One to secure 25,000 tonnes of unblended SAF annually from Bahrain’s first dedicated production site, marking a significant step towards regional decarbonisation and industrialising sustainable aviation fuel in the Gulf. DHL Express has stepped up its efforts to promote cleaner aviation fuels with a new…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is ramping up its seawater reverse osmosis capacity to 120 million imperial gallons per day in 2026, marking a strategic move away from thermal desalination towards more energy-efficient, lower-emission methods. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is planning to add another 120 million imperial…
As the Middle East considers expanding its nuclear capacity to meet surging demand and climate goals, it grapples with security, climate risks, and regional stability, highlighting a complex debate over the future of low-carbon energy in a volatile region. Nuclear power is once again grabbing the spotlight across the Middle…
NanoCarbonX’s deal with Graphene Star to establish a localised graphene manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi could transform the UAE into a key supplier of the high-demand material, bolstering industrial self-sufficiency and sustainability. NanoCarbonX has recently entered into a manufacturing agreement with Graphene Star that could potentially position the UAE as…
The emirate launches a major AED55 billion programme of new projects spanning transport, infrastructure and social services, aiming to boost private-sector involvement and enhance resilience amid rapid growth. Abu Dhabi has kicked off a fresh wave of public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities, unveiling 24 new projects valued at AED55 billion across…
Sony Middle East and Africa has activated a 391.2 kWp rooftop solar system at its Dubai headquarters, exemplifying the increasing adoption of distributed clean energy solutions across the UAE’s industrial zones amidst regional progress in solar deployment. Sony Middle East and Africa recently brought a 391.2 kWp solar power system…
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The Higher Colleges of Technology has launched a significant solar project across six campuses, aligning with the UAE’s national net zero ambitions and advancing campus-based renewable energy initiatives. The Higher Colleges of Technology has started ramping up its on-site solar generation efforts across its campuses after signing a deal with Three Eight Six, an independent power producer. This move aligns with the UAE’s broader push toward decarbonising its electricity grid and boosting overall energy efficiency, which is pretty interesting, right? According to the announcement, the project will cover six campuses spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain, where approximately…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority unveils a pioneering AI-enabled bus station at Mall of the Emirates, integrating digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability to transform urban transit. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered smart bus station, a hub where digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability features come together in a regular transit setting. The new station, located at Mall of the Emirates, is part of Dubai’s larger goal to develop a more unified public transportation system. As per a statement from the Dubai Media Office, the idea is to make traveling…
Dubai Municipality has completed the Middle East’s first mobile mapping survey of waterways, signalling a shift towards more advanced digital infrastructure and smarter urban management, with future plans to replicate the approach across all emirate waterways. Dubai Municipality has wrapped up what they’re calling the Middle East’s first-ever pilot survey of waterways using mobile mapping tech, and this really signals a bigger shift in how the emirate plans to handle its digital infrastructure, manage assets, and spruce up urban planning. The project involved a Leica TRK system mounted on a specially fitted vessel, which was used to collect data along…
The Zayed Sustainability Prize opens entries for 2027, offering a total of $7.2 million to support scalable solutions across health, food, energy, water, and climate action, aiming to showcase impactful innovations from around the world and in the UAE. The Zayed Sustainability Prize has just opened up entries for its 2027 round, shining a brighter light on innovations and community projects that could help address some serious environmental and social issues. Backed by the UAE, this award invites small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofit groups, and even high schools to compete across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and…
Schneider Electric highlights the UAE’s rapid progress in reshaping its industrial landscape through bold investments in automation, AI, and smart manufacturing, positioning the country as a global leader in industrial innovation. Schneider Electric has noted that the UAE has really taken the lead compared to most countries when it comes to reshaping its industrial landscape. They argue that in just a few years, the emirate has managed to develop a more ambitious manufacturing model than many economies achieve over several decades, pretty impressive, if you ask me. Aml Al Shazli, who’s the president of Schneider Electric for the Gulf region,…
The UAE is reshaping its industrial landscape by prioritising artificial intelligence, boosting local participation, and integrating sustainability with economic growth, signalling a major strategic shift at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event. The UAE is gradually reshaping its industrial future, placing bigger bets on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge manufacturing,…
Dana Gas and British company Levidian are set to develop the Sharjah Graphene Park, aiming to transform lab-developed graphene into a significant industrial venture aligned with the UAE’s push for innovative, sustainable manufacturing. Dana Gas has taken steps to turn a promising lab-developed material into a full-fledged industrial venture in…
The UAE Water Aid Foundation has extended the submission deadline for its prestigious water innovation award until September 30, 2026, encouraging more international entries focused on AI and renewable energy solutions to combat water scarcity. The UAE Water Aid Foundation, commonly known as Suqia UAE, has decided to extend the…
Dubai Holding has selected 15 innovative scale-ups from a pool of over 1,400 applicants across 93 countries for its second Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator, highlighting a growing regional shift towards practical climate solutions aligned with national sustainability goals. Dubai Holding has refined its search, whittling down a pool of…
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ROX leverages the ‘Make it in the Emirates 2026’ initiative to build a connected ecosystem of advanced manufacturing, AI, and talent development, aiming for 300,000 vehicle production annually by 2030 and positioning Abu Dhabi as a key industrial hub. ROX has leveraged the “Make it in the Emirates 2026” initiative to lay out a broader industrial playbook for the UAE. This strategy aims to connect artificial intelligence, advanced materials, logistics, manufacturing, and talent development into a cohesive ecosystem, which it claims can foster both local production and boost exports. The company frames this approach as part of a “Made in…
Abu Dhabi’s leading energy players EWEC and Masdar sign a new framework to streamline large-scale renewable projects, aiming to accelerate the UAE’s ambitious aim of sourcing 60% of its energy from renewables by 2035 while enhancing grid stability and water sustainability. EWEC and Masdar have recently agreed on a new framework aimed at speeding up the next phase of the UAE’s clean energy expansion. This move signals a deeper level of collaboration between two of Abu Dhabi’s major energy players, especially at a time when the country is doubling down on decarbonisation, ensuring power stability, and boosting industrial growth. The…
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The Emirates Development Bank has invested AED 272 million into Umm Al Quwain-based companies, expanding its industrial and sustainability agenda beyond the UAE’s main hubs, supporting key sectors like healthcare, renewable energy, and advanced technology. Over the past three years, the Emirates Development Bank has funneled AED 272 million into around 30 different companies based in Umm Al Quwain. This effort , well, at least, it highlights how the state lender is pushing its industrial and sustainability agenda beyond the UAE’s bigger economic hubs. The funding was arranged through a partnership with the Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and…
The International Renewable Energy Agency calls for easing trade barriers and ramping up investments in decentralised renewables to bolster energy resilience amid rising fossil fuel prices and geopolitical tensions. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has called on governments worldwide to cut back or ease tariffs and other trade barriers on imported renewable energy equipment. They argue that the recent surge in fossil fuel prices is yet another familiar signal of how vulnerable economies remain to outside shocks. In a fresh policy advisory, IRENA suggests that the current energy crisis should be seen as an opportunity, one to reinforce energy…
Professor Steve Griffiths of the American University of Sharjah has been named the UAE’s National Champion at the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize for his groundbreaking work on chemical advancements in carbon capture technology, marking a significant milestone for the country’s role in climate solutions. Professor Steve Griffiths from the American University of Sharjah has been named the UAE’s National Champion in the 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize. This achievement marks the first time the country has been recognized in this global competition. The winners were announced by Frontiers on April 22, which was Earth Day, and they mentioned that a panel…
Despite regional turmoil, the UAE and UK reinforced their commitment to targeted industrial collaborations, focusing on AI, clean energy, and skills development, as investor confidence remains robust and trade continues to grow. Investor confidence in the UAE’s economy seems to have stayed pretty strong, even after several months of regional turmoil. During a parliamentary reception in London, top Emirati and British officials argued that the next phase of their relationship should focus on areas like artificial intelligence, clean energy, life sciences, and developing skills. The event, hosted by the UAE-UK Business Council at the House of Lords, brought together over…
The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia has become the first in the Middle East to receive an IUCN Technological Innovation Certificate, highlighting a regional shift towards AI-driven biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem management. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve has recently been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature with a Technological Innovation Certificate. This is a pretty significant milestone, actually , it’s the first time any nature reserve in the Middle East and West Asia has received such an award, according to the Saudi Press Agency. What’s really interesting here is how…
Dubai has unveiled a purpose-built, rapid intervention vehicle equipped with advanced pumping, rescue, and monitoring tools to streamline flood management and protect its critical infrastructure amid increasing extreme weather events. Dubai has taken a step forward in its flood response capabilities with the introduction of a purpose-built, rapid intervention vehicle designed to keep roads accessible during heavy rains that overwhelm drainage systems. This new vehicle, developed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), was among several mobility initiatives reviewed during an inspection earlier this week by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. According to the Dubai Media Office,…
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…
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, 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…
