4:41 am - October 17, 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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Abu Dhabi is set to expand its autonomous mobility initiatives with a new partnership between K2 and WeRide, aiming to introduce driverless buses as part of its broader smart city strategy, backed by evolving regulatory and operational milestones. Abu Dhabi seems to be pushing even further into the realm of autonomous public transportation. Recently, K2 and WeRide signed a memorandum of understanding during UMEX 2026, aiming to introduce driverless buses in the emirate. This agreement, which has backing from both the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council and the Integrated Transport Centre, aims to run trial programs and eventually commercialize Level…
Dubai-based startup GrowCarbon launches an AI-powered platform that creates digital twins of trees and neighbourhoods, offering continuous, sensor-free environmental data to support climate goals and urban sustainability initiatives across the Middle East. GrowCarbon, a start-up based out of Dubai focusing on environmental intelligence, has rolled out a new AI-powered platform in the Middle East. The company claims that this system provides ongoing measurement and verification of trees, air quality, and carbon assets across urban areas. As reported by Zawya, the platform combines satellite images, street-level photos, land-use data, and traffic information to create digital replicas, or “twins”, of individual trees…
Abu Dhabi-based startup SustainPro is pioneering measurable, operational sustainability solutions for the region’s live-events industry, combining hardware, on-site teams, and advanced software to deliver real-time data and verifiable environmental impact reports, aligned with international standards. SustainPro, a startup based in Abu Dhabi and founded by someone from the events industry who later became focused on sustainability, is tackling a fairly persistent issue in the region’s live-events scene. Basically, they’re trying to bridge the gap between good intentions and actually measurable, operational climate outcomes. The company’s approach involves a combination of on-site infrastructure, field teams, and a developing software layer, what…
The UAE’s latest funding cycle marks a shift towards fundamental, validated scientific approaches in rain enhancement, integrating AI, nanotechnology, and environmental considerations to address water scarcity. The UAE has stepped up its investment in rain enhancement science, handing out generous multi-year grants aimed at turning promising ideas, initially developed through computer models, into practical tools that could help bolster water security in dry areas. The sixth round of funding for the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) will back selected projects with up to US$1.5 million over three years, with each project able to claim a maximum of…
The emirate unveils a bold, multi-sector plan to embed sustainability into its economy and environment, promising economic growth alongside environmental preservation by 2050. Ras Al Khaimah has laid out an ambitious, long-term plan to weave sustainability throughout its economy and natural environment, launching what’s called the Ras Al Khaimah Integrated Sustainability (RIS) Strategy 2050. Basically, the plan expands on the emirate’s earlier focus on energy by adopting a multi-sector approach aimed at securing reliable energy and water supplies, cutting emissions, and safeguarding both land and marine ecosystems. Andrea Di Gregorio, who serves as the Executive Director for the Sustainable Energy…
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has risen into the top 100 most valuable global brands, driven by technological innovation, diversification, and international expansion, signalling a transformative shift amid ongoing climate debates. The rise of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) onto Brand Finance’s list of the top 100 most valuable global brands marks a significant shift in how Gulf energy firms are perceived. According to the firm, ADNOC’s brand value increased by about 11% year-over-year, reaching roughly US$21.13 billion in 2026. This growth , which has soared over 350% since 2017 , highlights a remarkable trajectory. In fact, Brand…
Titan Lithium Industries secures a multi-year deal with Mercedes-Benz to supply battery-grade lithium, marking a significant step for the UAE’s industrial diversification and responsible sourcing in the rapidly evolving EV battery market. Titan Lithium Industries Ltd has been chosen as a long-term supplier of battery-grade lithium to Mercedes-Benz AG, under a multi-year agreement valued at over $300 million USD. Reports from Gulf Today and other regional business outlets indicate that this deal positions the UAE-based producer within Mercedes-Benz’s global network for battery materials. It’s expected that commercial deliveries will begin around 2028, though that’s subject to the usual conditions. This…
Holcim has expanded its commitment to sustainability by joining the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, signalling a strategic move to influence policy and accelerate low-carbon initiatives across heavy industry in the UAE and beyond. Holcim’s operations in the UAE have gone a step further than just cutting emissions at their factories , they’ve recently joined the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, a government-led group organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency. This partnership, officially announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2026, puts the building materials giant in a position to influence policy, investments, and technological advancements that will guide the…
Masdar and ENGIE secure funding for the 1.5GW Khazna Solar PV project, set to power 160,000 homes and cut 2.4 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, signalling a significant milestone in the UAE’s green energy ambitions. Masdar and ENGIE announced that they’ve reached financial close for the 1.5 gigawatt (GW) Khazna Solar Photovoltaic (PV) independent power project. This is a pretty big step forward for one of Abu Dhabi’s largest planned utility-scale renewable energy assets. The project company, which is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and ENGIE on a 60:40 split, managed to secure funding from seven…
Alterra, the UAE-backed climate-focused investment platform, unveils a new $1.2 billion co-investment fund with Spain’s BBVA, signalling a major push for long-term green energy projects and Gulf’s evolving role in global decarbonisation efforts. Alterra, the climate-focused investment platform backed by the UAE, is stepping up its efforts to finance the global energy shift. Industry insiders and company press releases point to a new $1.2 billion co-investment vehicle, with Spain’s BBVA acting as a strategic limited partner. As reported by Bloomberg, BBVA has committed around $250 million to this fund. Alterra said the vehicle will be based in the Abu Dhabi…
