5:39 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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The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy introduces a pioneering appliances procurement policy as part of the emirate’s broader strategy to cut water and electricity use significantly by 2030, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable government operations. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has rolled out a fresh policy aimed at boosting energy and water efficiency within the emirate’s government operations. The new “Efficient Appliances Procurement Policy for Government Entities in Abu Dhabi” is a key part of the updated Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030. This strategy sets bold goals, specifically, cutting electricity use by 22%, which translates…
A new HSBC survey reveals that 94% of UAE firms see climate transition as a growth opportunity, with 90% planning to intensify efforts, highlighting promising momentum alongside funding hurdles during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. As world leaders and investors gather in Abu Dhabi for Sustainability Week, new survey data points toward a surprisingly quick acceleration in climate-related investments among UAE companies. This shift isn’t just driven by regulatory or reputation concerns, though those certainly play a role, it’s also fueled by a genuine business drive and ambition. According to HSBC’s Global Sustainability Pulse Survey, a striking 94% of businesses in…
Envision unveils Dubhe, an advanced ‘Physical AI’ designed to optimise renewable energy sources, storage, and grid operations in real-time, signalling a bold step towards smarter, more affordable clean energy systems. Envision recently revealed its latest innovation , a new “Energy Foundation Model” named Dubhe, which the company claims is built to manage renewable energy sources, storage solutions, grids, and demand in real-time. Basically, it’s part of what they’re calling the emerging “AI energy system.” The announcement was made by Lei Zhang, who’s both the founder and CEO of Envision, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. According to what the company shared,…
The UAE’s new Adaptation Finance Capacity Assessment aims to enhance climate resilience by attracting private sector investment and improving institutional coordination, marking a significant step in its climate action strategy. The UAE has taken a cautious but deliberate step to turn its climate goals into real, investable actions by launching a national Adaptation Finance Capacity Assessment (AFCA). This effort is aimed at testing how ready the country is to mobilize, allocate, and sustain financing for climate adaptation as risks become more pressing. The assessment, which was developed in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), based in South Korea,…
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a new joint venture with Bee’ah and Lohum to establish a battery lifecycle facility in Sharjah, aiming to boost local EV battery management and support regional green initiatives by 2026. This week, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced the creation of a new joint venture, teaming up with Bee’ah, a regional sustainability leader, and Lohum, which is India’s biggest producer and recycler of sustainable lithium-ion battery materials. The goal? To establish a battery lifecycle facility in Sharjah. According to the official statement, the plant is set to start operations…
Dubai plans to commence commercial operations of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis by the end of 2026, marking a significant milestone in urban mobility and green transportation, with Joby Aviation leading the charge through extensive testing and strategic regulatory collaborations. Dubai seems poised to kick off commercial electric air taxi operations before the end of 2026, according to the city’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This move highlights Dubai’s rapid push to incorporate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its transportation network. It’s a pretty significant milestone, especially since the trial is a high-profile effort…
The Gulf emirate has introduced a comprehensive carbon capture, utilisation, and storage framework aimed at decarbonising industry, attracting investment, and cementing its role in regional climate leadership. Abu Dhabi has rolled out a new Carbon Capture Policy, aiming to establish a comprehensive set of regulations around carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) throughout the emirate, officials revealed. This move signals a pretty significant shift in how the government approaches industrial decarbonisation and overall climate strategy. As per the announcement from the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA), the policy lays out operational standards, coordinates infrastructure development, and tries…
ADNOC has planted its five millionth mangrove seedling as part of its ambitious 10 million target by 2030, leveraging locally developed AI drone technology and community participation to restore UAE’s coastal ecosystems and support national biodiversity goals. His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who serves as the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and is also the managing director and group CEO of ADNOC, recently planted what ADNOC calls its five millionth mangrove seedling. This took place during a visit to the Al Nouf mangrove forest in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone. According to the company, this…
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and SEE Holding unveil Sharjah Sustainable City II, a 7.8 million square foot development featuring smart, eco-friendly homes with integrated green initiatives aimed at redefining future urban living in the UAE. The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) along with SEE Holding has announced the upcoming Sharjah Sustainable City II, a sizable residential project aimed at building upon a model of low-carbon, resource-efficient urban living already underway in the emirate. The plan, covering about 7.8 million square feet in Al Rahmaniya, will feature around 1,032 homes, comprising 944 townhouses and 88 five-bedroom villas,…
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure partners with Agility to implement AI-powered cooling solutions in data centres, aiming to align digital growth with sustainability and decarbonisation goals. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has recently signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agility, with the goal of boosting energy efficiency and enhancing the economic performance of data centres and district cooling systems across the UAE. As reported by the Emirates News Agency, this agreement comes in response to the growing surge of artificial intelligence workloads and aims to prepare the country’s infrastructure for the rapidly increasing demands for…
