9:54 am - July 17, 2026The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, reflecting significant investments and policy shifts towards sustainability, including waste management, biodiversity, and renewable energy expansion. The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index , and honestly, that really highlights…
Naseej advances its mission to create a sustainable textile sector in the UAE through 14 strategic collaborations spanning public and private sectors, aiming to develop a comprehensive circular economy model with pilot projects and policy support. Naseej’s drive to develop a circular textile economy in the UAE has now moved…
Positive Zero’s new loan facility marks the first of its kind in the Middle East, signalling increasing confidence in decentralised renewable projects across the GCC as part of the region’s energy transition. Positive Zero has successfully secured a $375 million loan facility, a move that will bolster decentralised energy infrastructure…
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 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…
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…
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…
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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…
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 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 –…
As geological exploration deepens and policy frameworks adapt, the Middle East’s unique geology and regulatory environment position it at the forefront of natural hydrogen development, promising a strategic shift in future energy landscapes. Natural hydrogen is shifting from being just a niche curiosity in geology to becoming a serious point…
Abu Dhabi introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling a broader push into aquatic smart mobility and innovation safety. Abu Dhabi has started tightening up its rules for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling that the emirate is broadening its smart…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy launches a new manual and verification tool aimed at preventing oversized air conditioning systems, potentially saving AED560 million annually and supporting the emirate’s sustainability goals. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has introduced a new manual aimed at cooling loads, one that’s designed to address…
The Sustainability Forum Middle East announces its advisory committee for the 2027 event, bringing together senior figures from government, energy, finance, and sustainability sectors to shape regional climate action and sustainable development strategies in Bahrain. The Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced its advisory committee for its fifth edition, which…
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Tadweer Group has awarded Urbaser a contract to develop Abu Dhabi’s first greenfield Material Recovery Facility, incorporating AI-driven sorting systems to boost recycling and reduce landfill reliance by 2028. Tadweer Group has taken quite a significant step forward in Abu Dhabi’s waste management plans, by awarding Urbaser a contract to develop the emirate’s very first greenfield Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This project is pretty much aimed at boosting recycling capacity and cutting down reliance on landfills, especially as the UAE moves deeper into its circular economy ambitions. As reported by UrduPoint and WAM, the new plant is expected to handle…
The UAE-based resale app LUVED introduces AI-driven tools and environmental impact features to promote faster, more personalised transactions and bolster trust within its community-focused, circular fashion platform. A resale app based in the UAE is really leaning into the use of artificial intelligence and sustainability , quite intentionally, it seems , as it tries to make the experience of buying second-hand luxury items feel more instant, personalised, and less wasteful. LUVED, a mobile-focused peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-loved luxury fashion and lifestyle products, has recently rolled out two new features within the app: LUVBOT, an AI-driven assistant, and My Impact, a…
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Abu Dhabi has introduced an AI-enabled Smart Meter Project to optimise water use across farms, aiming to enhance water and food security through digital innovation and real-time analytics while preparing for large-scale adoption. Abu Dhabi has recently taken a step towards digitizing how farms manage water by launching an AI-enabled initiative called the Smart Meter Project. Officials described this move as a practical measure aimed at bolstering the emirate’s water and food security. As reported by Al Etihad, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, working together with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), revealed this plan in…
President Ilham Aliyev’s recent visit to the UAE highlights the rapid deepening of bilateral ties, with significant progress in trade, green energy, and cultural exchanges signalling a new phase of strategic cooperation between Baku and Abu Dhabi. President Ilham Aliyev’s two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on December 16–17, 2025, really highlighted how quickly the relationship between Baku and Abu Dhabi is expanding. What initially started out as standard diplomatic talks about energy has, in just over ten years, blossomed into a multi-faceted strategic partnership that now covers trade, investments, green energy initiatives, culture, and digital innovation. As per…
South Korea announces bold plans to cut greenhouse gases by 40% by 2030, including expanding renewables, upgrading the grid, and reforming energy markets amid industry and environmental debates. On the 17th, Kim Sung-hwan, the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment, held a briefing at the Sejong Government Convention Center and openly announced that the government would start in earnest to implement its 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC). The government, in this plan, committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% relative to 2018 levels by 2030. They also plan to shift the power generation system mainly towards renewable…
Abu Dhabi’s Madar Al-Sa‘a project is set to become the world’s first gigascale, round-the-clock renewable energy facility, combining a 5.2 GW solar plant with a 19 GWh battery storage system to provide reliable, continuous clean power by 2027. When Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (or EWEC, if you prefer) started laying out the “Madar Al-Sa‘a” project in Abu Dhabi, they weren’t just breaking ground on a typical infrastructure site. According to official announcements from Masdar and reports from regional media outlets, this development is being positioned as the world’s first gigascale, round-the-clock renewable energy facility. What does…
The upcoming Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi is set to solidify the Gulf region’s role in regional and international carbon trading, coinciding with key sustainability events and attracting high-level policymakers and investors. Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi from January 14th to 15th, forming part of a broader week full of sustainability-focused events, organizers revealed. This move underscores a clear push to position the Gulf region as a significant hub for regional carbon trading. According to announcements from Famagusta Gazette and those behind the event, Carbon Forward Middle East 2026…
Tabreed partners with UAE-based Sparklo to install 16 reverse vending machines across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, incentivising recycling and advancing the country’s circular economy and decarbonisation efforts. Tabreed, which happens to be the biggest district cooling company in the region, has teamed up with UAE-based cleantech company Sparklo to roll out some pretty smart recycling setups across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Essentially, this move aims to weave circular economy practices into everyday life. According to Tabreed, the plan involves installing 16 reverse vending machines, affectionately called Sparklomats, in busy spots. One of these units is already up and running at…
Dubai authorities have unveiled ConTech Valley04, a new innovation hub at Expo City Dubai, aiming to fast-track the adoption of advanced, sustainable construction technologies through real-world testing and international collaboration. Dubai’s authorities have taken steps to speed up the testing and adoption of advanced construction technologies in real-world settings, with plans to establish a ConTech innovation hub at Expo City Dubai. The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by Dubai Municipality and Expo City Dubai for Development and Real Estate, positions this new centre as a kind of living lab for next-gen building techniques and smart urban infrastructure. The announcement…
Colesco Capital is set to manage an Article 9 private credit fund targeting circular economy and climate transition companies, marking a significant step in scaling impact-driven investment with over €1 billion in commitments from European institutions. Colesco Capital is set to take over the management of an Article 9 private credit fund that finances businesses involved in circular economy efforts and climate transition initiatives. This move will expand its responsible investing platform and, here’s the noteworthy part, bring in over €1 billion of capital commitments to oversee starting from January 1, 2026. According to what ESG News announced, the fund…
The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a major economic transformation in 2025, with non-oil industries such as trade, manufacturing, finance, and services driving unprecedented growth and reshaping the country’s economic landscape. The United Arab Emirates appears to be shifting away from hydrocarbons quite significantly in 2025. This change has been fueled by a broad, multi-sector growth that includes trade, manufacturing, finance, and services, officials say this is really reshaping the whole structure of the economy. According to The Arabian Post, non-oil sectors have been the main engine of growth this year, a view supported by both official ministry data and…
Startups and venture funds are increasingly integrating ESG principles into their strategies, transforming early-stage fundraising and driving long-term resilience amid tightening sustainability expectations. During a rather quiet VC dinner in Berlin, a startup founder abruptly paused his pitch and looked over at the investors, asking, “How do you actually define sustainability in your portfolio strategy?” The room fell silent and, interestingly enough, there were two notebooks shut tight on the table, just sitting there. That small moment, but it seemed to carry quite a bit of weight. It really highlighted a shift happening in early-stage fundraising: now, founders are more…
