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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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Awards mark a decade of driving regional corporate transformation
As the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards celebrate ten years, organisers emphasise their role in fostering meaningful environmental and governance improvements among regional organisations, reflecting a broader shift in sustainability being a key business asset. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has opened nominations for the tenth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards. It’s quite a well-established regional platform that has, over time, grown into one of the emirate’s most visible indicators of corporate sustainability performance. Honestly, it’s pretty interesting how these awards have gained prominence. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group, which is actually…
Sharjah launches comprehensive campaign to embed sustainability in daily life until 2026
The emirate introduces ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, a multi-year initiative encouraging residents and businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives across the emirate. Sharjah has rolled out a fresh, emirate-wide campaign focused on sustainability , kinda aiming to make everyday choices a bit cleaner, simpler, and less wasteful. The Department of Municipal Affairs recently introduced ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’ at an event earlier this week, and apparently, the programme is set to run through until the end of December 2026. According to reports from both the Emirates News Agency and some local media…
UAE expands 'Musta'dim' programme to include marine and food security pathways to foster future sustainability leaders
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the third edition of its ‘Musta’dim’ programme, now integrating marine ecology and food security to inspire young minds and support the nation’s environmental and economic resilience. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has now rolled out the third round of its “Musta’dim” programme. Building on the momentum of those earlier versions, they’ve widened the scope, now including new specialised pathways in marine environments as well as livestock and food security. The programme aims to introduce school pupils to the interconnected worlds of environmental protection, sustainability and food systems,…
DP World advances climate tech with atmospheric water generation pilot in global logistics network
DP World’s strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech marks a significant step in decentralising water solutions within global supply chains, aiming to enhance water resilience and sustainability across its international operations. DP World has recently taken a strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech, setting up pilot trials of atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology across its global logistics network, according to a joint statement from both companies. This investment essentially brings a relatively young Indian climate tech firm closer to one of the world’s biggest logistics operators, which is pretty interesting, right? It also signals a rising interest in decentralised water…
The UAE has unveiled the Global Youth Envoys for Water initiative, aiming to empower young leaders from vulnerable regions to influence global water governance ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has introduced a new initiative aimed at involving younger voices in global water diplomacy, ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. This move forms part of the country’s wider effort to connect climate action with international collaboration. Announced by the Arab Youth Centre during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, the programme called…
ENOC’s partnership with EVS aims to expand quick and specialised maintenance services for electric vehicles across key regions in the UAE, signalling a significant step towards integrated electric mobility support. ENOC has partnered up with EVS to expand access to quick maintenance services for electric vehicles right here in the UAE. This move really shows how the country’s charging and servicing network is feeling the heat , or, well, the pressure , to keep pace with the rapid rise in EV adoption. The plan is to offer speedy EV maintenance through AutoPro, ENOC’s established vehicle service network, at four selected…
Dubai Future Foundation’s latest foresight report spotlights practical steps to seize emerging global opportunities
The Dubai Future Foundation’s fifth edition of its foresight report emphasises actionable strategies and global collaborations to capitalise on technological and systemic opportunities shaping the future of the UAE and beyond. The Dubai Future Foundation has recently published the fifth edition of its flagship foresight report, broadening its focus on the technologies and systems that might influence future growth patterns in the UAE and beyond. Titled “Future Opportunities: The Global 50”, the report revisits fifty opportunities identified in earlier editions, assessing how much they have advanced. According to the Foundation, this latest version aims to help governments, organisations, and individuals…
Masdar secures $6.1 billion funding for first gigascale renewable power plant in Abu Dhabi
Masdar has reached financial close on a landmark $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to deliver around-the-clock renewable power and reinforce the UAE’s shift towards sustainable energy. Masdar has officially reached financial close on a massive $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, paving the way for what it claims will be the world’s first gigascale, around-the-clock renewable power plant. The company has secured about $5.1 billion in funding from a syndicate of 13 international and regional lenders, with an extra $1 billion put in as equity. According to Masdar, this funding…
A Dubai-based biotech firm is turning date palm residues into biofertilisers, boosting crop yields and soil health for thousands of small farmers, as part of a broader push towards a circular economy and climate resilience in the region. Dubai’s efforts to turn agricultural waste into a climate-smart business seem to be gaining real momentum, with a biotech start-up now transforming date palm residues into biofertilisers , a move that’s boosted crop yields, improved soils, and brought thousands of small farmers into a more circular production cycle. The company, called B-Vita, has been recognised as part of Dubai Future Solutions –…
BYD’s dual momentum: leading energy storage projects in the Gulf and expanding global EV footprint amidst domestic struggles
Chinese automaker BYD is making significant advances in large-scale battery storage projects in Abu Dhabi while simultaneously boosting its global EV exports and model lineup, despite challenging conditions in China’s domestic market and regulatory landscape. BYD seems to be pulled in two very different directions at the same time. On one hand, it’s making headlines with its impressive energy storage projects in the Gulf region. On the other, its automobile division continues to face stiff price wars back home, where profit margins are under pressure and investor confidence hasn’t quite bounced back yet. The clearest sign of BYD’s momentum in…

