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…
Scientists in the UAE are exploring the possibility of using large-scale solar photovoltaic installations not only to produce energy but also to influence local atmospheric conditions and trigger rainfall, offering a novel approach to water scarcity in desert regions. Water is increasingly taking centre stage in the climate and technology…
Hub71’s 2025 Impact Report reveals a surge in funding, revenue, and international partnerships, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s shift from early-stage innovation to a mature, revenue-generating tech hub. Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 has recently reported a notable surge in startup activity. Its 2025 Impact Report reveals that companies within the ecosystem raised over…
Globalpharma has installed a 612 kWp rooftop solar system at its Dubai facility, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 11,400 tonnes as part of the UAE’s wider shift towards clean energy in industry. Globalpharma has managed to cut roughly 11,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions after installing a rooftop solar system…
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…
A new report underscores the shift of smart cities from futuristic concepts to strategic tools vital for building resilience, enhancing public services, and sustaining growth amid urban challenges and climate risks. Smart cities are shifting from just being a planning goal to really forming a central part of a nation’s…
ACCIONA advances its water assets’ management by deploying an integrated digital platform and digital twin technology, enhancing efficiency and resilience in Gulf desalination operations amid climate challenges. ACCIONA is taking its digital transformation of its desalination assets further, expanding a plant management system that combines operational, maintenance, and control data…
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LUVED integrates AI and sustainability in UAE luxury resale platform to enhance trust and local engagement
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…
DP World launches EcoRoute to transform supply chain decarbonisation through integrated, performance-driven solutions
DP World unveils EcoRoute, a comprehensive platform designed to help businesses lower emissions while boosting operational efficiency, marking a significant shift in logistics sustainability practices amid rising regulatory and market pressures. DP World has introduced EcoRoute, a new set of supply chain services that they claim are designed to help businesses reduce their emissions without sacrificing performance. This move reflects a broader shift in logistics, where decarbonisation is increasingly seen as an operational challenge rather than just a separate sustainability effort. According to DP World, the platform combines network design, lower-carbon transport options, emissions measurement, and carbon insetting. They say…
The United Arab Emirates prepares to inaugurate its first passenger rail service, marking a significant milestone in its transport development and regional integration plans, with phased routes connecting key emirates and offering enhanced travel options for daily commuters and tourists alike. The UAE is just a few days away from launching its very first passenger rail service, an event that signifies a fresh chapter in the country’s transport ambitions and its long-standing effort to connect major cities, economic zones, and future growth corridors more seamlessly. Etihad Rail announced that passenger services will kick off on June 30, with the initial…
Origin Assets launches ambitious climate finance platform in Abu Dhabi leveraging blockchain
A new venture called Origin Assets, backed by Reef Origin, Xange.com, and NOXXO, aims to simplify financing and trading of climate-aligned assets through tokenisation and blockchain technology, targeting institutional investors worldwide. Three firms, with a combined pipeline worth over $140 billion, have teamed up to bring together their climate, payment, and market infrastructure into a new venture based in Abu Dhabi. The goal? To make financing and trading climate-aligned assets a lot easier , or at least that’s the plan. This project is called Origin Assets. It was announced during Climate Week London on 24 June , a joint effort…
The UAE cement market is set for robust growth over the next decade, driven by infrastructure projects and urban expansion, but increasingly shaped by sustainability and technological innovation as producers seek to balance demand with environmental targets. The UAE cement market is looking set for ongoing growth over the next ten years, but honestly, the story is increasingly about more than just increasing quantities. The landscape is now heavily influenced by infrastructure investments, housing needs, sustainability rules, and the push for producers to modernise their operations. Based on a market report supplied by Vocal Media and research referenced by IMARC…
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The United Arab Emirates leverages its recent engagement with BRICS to promote smart grid technology, sustainable hydrogen value chains, and digital energy systems, signalling a strategic shift towards global energy influence and innovation. The United Arab Emirates has used its most recent engagement with BRICS on energy to highlight a…
Emirates Global Aluminium opens the largest aluminium recycling facility in the UAE, reinforcing the country’s commitment to decarbonisation and localised, sustainable industry growth. Emirates Global Aluminium has recently opened what’s now the biggest aluminium recycling plant in the United Arab Emirates, located at Al Taweelah. It’s a clear move that…
Innovo Group and FieldAI partner to deploy autonomous robots on Dubai’s Ghaf Woods project, marking a significant step for AI-driven construction in challenging environments and aligning with the UAE’s broader digital ambitions. Innovo Group has started introducing general-purpose robots into real-world construction projects in the Middle East, through a partnership…
The UAE has celebrated the graduation of its third cohort of sustainability leaders, exemplifying the country’s strategic shift towards integrated, human-centric climate and industrial policies supported by public-private collaboration. The UAE Sustainability Fellowship has recently celebrated the graduation of its third cohort, bringing together 32 professionals from both the public…
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Savvy Charging has secured an exclusive dealership deal for Xiaofu’s off-grid electric vehicle charging systems across the MENA region, promising faster deployment and enhanced regional support to accelerate EV adoption amid infrastructure challenges. Savvy Charging Technology is stepping up its efforts in the off-grid electric-vehicle infrastructure scene with a new exclusive dealership deal for Xiaofu’s charging systems across the Middle East and North Africa, according to a company announcement reported by Zawya. This deal effectively makes Savvy the sole regional stockist for the Chinese firm’s off-grid EV charging products, a move the companies say is meant to cut down on…
At Expo City Dubai, a newly planted pocket forest using native species and smart monitoring exemplifies innovative ecological restoration tailored for arid environments, offering a scalable blueprint for sustainable urban landscapes. At Expo City Dubai, there’s a small stand of trees that’s doing more than just softening the skyline. Terra’s new pocket forest is being presented as a practical example of how desert cities can blend biodiversity, cooling, and educational elements into one public space. The project draws inspiration from the Miyawaki method, a planting approach that uses densely packed native species to promote rapid growth and create a multi-layered…
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Abu Dhabi’s Taweelah C gas plant edges closer with carbon capture plans and international backing
Abu Dhabi awards a 2.6 GW gas-fired power project to a consortium led by TAQA, with future-ready, carbon capture-compatible design and long-term plans supporting the emirate’s Net Zero 2050 goal. Abu Dhabi has awarded a major new gas-fired power project to a consortium led by TAQA , and honestly, it’s a pretty significant move for the emirate’s electricity grid. It’s not just about adding more capacity, but also keeping the door open for potential carbon capture down the line. According to EWEC, which is basically the sole buyer and supplier of water and power in the emirate, the Taweelah C…
Global South Utilities launches a 12-megawatt solar plant paired with a 70-megawatt-hour battery system in Berbera, marking a major step in Somaliland’s transition away from diesel dependence and towards a resilient, renewable-powered grid. Abu Dhabi-based Global South Utilities has kicked off work on a 12-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, which will be paired with a 70-megawatt-hour battery system in Berbera. This marks an important step forward in the second phase of a broader plan aimed at shifting the Somaliland port city away from its reliance on diesel generation. According to their announcement, this project is really part of a bigger…
Abu Dhabi’s EAD partners with IUCN to lead global conservation efforts with a new four-year framework
The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi has formalised a landmark alliance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, signalling a shift from project-based work to a strategic role in global environmental governance, backed by high-level support. The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has strengthened its longstanding ties with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) by signing a new Framework Partnership Agreement. This move really cements the emirate’s environmental priorities within IUCN’s global agenda, in a way that’s quite significant. The announcement came out in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, and the signing took place under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan…
Dubai’s Prototypes for Humanity programme advances three international ventures from laboratory concepts to pilot projects and market expansion, reaffirming the city’s position as a regional hub for innovation and sustainable development. Dubai is really stepping up its efforts to push university research further along the path to commercialization. The latest batch of Dubai Future Solutions, Prototypes for Humanity, has successfully moved three ventures from the lab bench into pilot projects and market expansion within the UAE. This initiative, held annually and under the auspices of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to bridge the gap between academic…
Arab region's vast renewable potential remains largely untapped due to low investment and uneven development
Despite possessing some of the highest solar and wind resources globally, Arab countries contributed just 1.3% of the world’s solar power in 2023, highlighting a vast untapped potential hindered by limited investments and uneven market development. Arab countries are sitting on some of the world’s most abundant renewable energy resources, yet they still only contribute a small slice to the global clean energy pie, according to a recent study by the Arab Energy Organisation (AEO). Based in Kuwait, the group explained that in 2023, solar power generated in the Arab world was just about 1.3% of the world’s total solar…
University of Sharjah’s My FarmWell app wins UAE Society of Engineers award for water-smart agriculture
The University of Sharjah’s My FarmWell app, which integrates artificial intelligence, environmental data, and farm management tools, has been awarded by the UAE Society of Engineers for its innovative approach to sustainable water use in agriculture affected by water scarcity. A mobile tool created at the University of Sharjah has recently been recognized by the UAE Society of Engineers for its innovative effort to bring together artificial intelligence, environmental data, and farm-level decision support into a single user-friendly platform for agriculture affected by water scarcity. The My FarmWell app snagged the Best Small Project award during the fourth edition of…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is undertaking a significant upgrade of the emirate’s power infrastructure in 2025, with substantial investments in high-voltage substations and underground transmission, supporting the city’s rapid urban and economic growth. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has really ramped up efforts to upgrade the emirate’s power grid, with new high-voltage substations being commissioned in 2025, all while continuing a substantial infrastructure program quite valued at over AED 8.5 billion. As per a statement on DEWA’s official website, the utility brought into service eight 132kV substations and two 400kV substations throughout the year. This expansion aims…
Dubai-based Emirates Glass launches the EmiCool series, a high-performance range of solar control and low-emissivity glass designed to reduce cooling loads and enhance daylighting in Gulf region buildings amid rising energy efficiency demands. In the Gulf region, tackling the challenge of keeping buildings cool really starts with the façade. Glass tends to be the biggest opening in towers, malls, or office buildings, which makes it a major pathway for solar heat to enter. And, you know, in places where air conditioning isn’t just a luxury but practically a necessity, the choice of glazing becomes pretty critical, since it can influence…
UAE partners with Schneider Electric to advance AI-driven air quality and smart farming solutions
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has signed a new deal with Schneider Electric to harness artificial intelligence for real-time air quality monitoring and sustainable agriculture, marking a significant step towards integrating digital solutions into national environmental policies. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has recently strengthened its tech collaborations with a new deal with Schneider Electric. This agreement puts artificial intelligence right at the heart of efforts to improve air quality, develop smarter agriculture, and advance broader climate policies. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the ministry’s Dubai headquarters, bringing together a government department…
UAE hosts IRENA Council meeting as digitalisation and resilience take centre stage in global energy shift
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s 31st Council meeting in Abu Dhabi focuses on accelerating the energy transition through digital innovation, strengthened resilience, and international cooperation amidst growing global demand for renewables. The International Renewable Energy Agency kicked off its 31st Council meeting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, gathering more than 300 government representatives in a hybrid format, part in person, part virtual, as members look toward the next phase of the global energy transition. This two-day event is set to evaluate how far IRENA’s current initiatives have progressed and to establish priorities for the coming years. Central to the discussions…

