2:21 pm - 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…
Top stories
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…
Deep dive with
our insights
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,…
All stories
South Korea unveils an ambitious plan to quadruple offshore wind capacity and cut costs by 2035, signalling a major shift in its renewable energy landscape and regional export potential. The South Korean government has laid out an ambitious plan to boost offshore wind capacity and develop the supporting industrial ecosystem. According to the original report, the goal is to increase the total offshore wind capacity from around 0.35 gigawatts (GW) today to 10.5 GW by 2030, and then to 25 GW by 2035. At the same time, they’re aiming to cut power generation costs from approximately 330 Korean won per…
The new FIDA initiative in Abu Dhabi promises to accelerate next-generation financial solutions, attract billions in investment, and position the emirate as a leading global hub for digital assets and sustainable finance by 2045. Abu Dhabi has recently introduced a new cluster aimed at bringing together technology, regulation, and capital to help shape the so-called “next-generation” financial and investment solutions. Organizers say this move will strengthen the emirate’s position as a global hub for capital and, at the same time, accelerate financing for strategic sectors, especially those related to climate industries. According to an initial report from the Abu Dhabi…
The region’s largest auto trade show underscores accelerating government-industry collaboration on sustainability, electrification, and digital innovation, signalling a transformative phase for the Gulf’s automotive aftermarket. There was a pretty strong buzz around sustainability and policy alignment right from the start of Automechanika Dubai, highlighting how government initiatives and industry investments are really shaping the Gulf’s auto aftermarket shift. According to the initial report, the organizers mentioned that the three-day event at Dubai World Trade Centre has now become the key platform in the region for discussions on efficiency standards, emissions cuts, and supply chain innovations. On the opening day, delegates…
Schneider Electric reports significant progress in its Middle East and Africa initiatives, blending technology, skills training, and strategic partnerships to expand clean energy access and cut emissions, while highlighting ongoing efforts and future opportunities. Schneider Electric reports that its regional efforts in sustainability are making noticeable progress across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), blending technology deployments, skills training, and partnerships to broaden energy access and curb emissions. Based on the company’s own report, the initiatives within the framework of its global 2021–2025 Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program have brought clean energy to over 3.5 million people in the MEA…
In 2025, Masdar City Free Zone achieved rapid growth, securing multiple awards for sustainability and innovation, and expanding its global footprint with new initiatives focused on climate tech and smart urban solutions. In 2025, Masdar City Free Zone hit a pretty significant milestone , it was officially named the fastest-growing free zone in the UAE. This recognition really underscores Abu Dhabi’s accelerating efforts to establish itself as a global hub for climate tech and sustainable urban development. According to the original report, the Free Zone also snagged four major awards, which collectively paint a picture of both commercial success and…
Sanzen, a new UAE-born project developer emphasising wellness and community-centric design, has debuted with two flagship projects in Dubai and Sharjah, signalling a shift towards more human-focused urban expansion amid growing lifestyle-driven demand. Sanzen, a project development and management brand that was born in the UAE, made a public debut in Dubai this week. It’s positioning itself as a developer focused on placing human wellbeing right at the heart of urban growth. According to the initial reports, the company held a three-day early-bird pre-launch event at the Sanzen Experience Center from December 11 to 13. During this time, they invited…
The Middle East’s solar industry is poised for rapid expansion driven by record-breaking bids, government policies, and declining costs, signalling a transformative shift in regional energy economics. The Middle East solar energy market is heading into a period of rapid growth, driven by bold national initiatives, record-breaking low tariffs, and a surge in utility-scale tenders that are really changing how energy economics work in the region. As the original report notes, dropping equipment costs, quicker installation times, and growing confidence among investors mean that both solar PV (photovoltaic) and concentrated solar power (CSP) installations are likely to become the mainstay…
At the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, the UAE capital showcased its increasing leadership in climate-friendly investments, regulatory innovation, and cross-sector collaborations aimed at accelerating the region’s shift to a greener future. This week, Abu Dhabi really reinforced its position as a leader in channeling capital towards climate-friendly initiatives. The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (or ADSFF), which wrapped up Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), dedicated a full day to discussing policies, financial strategies, and innovations aimed at speeding up the region’s transition to a greener future. The eighth edition of ADSFF was hosted by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM),…
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ unveils a comprehensive model prioritising long-term partnerships and patient capital to bridge the projected $100 trillion infrastructure gap by 2040, reshaping the future of digital, green, and social assets worldwide. Abu Dhabi’s ADQ has laid out an ambitious blueprint for expanding the infrastructure needed to support the upcoming phase of global economic change. The organization argues that a new way of thinking, one centered around long-term partnerships and patient, or patient, capital, is absolutely crucial if we’re truly going to satisfy the ever-growing investment requirements. According to their 2025 whitepaper, it’s estimated that by 2040, at least…
Major OEMs and industry players are accelerating efforts to implement hydrogen fuel-cell tech in heavy machinery, signalling a potential shift towards greener construction sites amid supply chain and infrastructure developments despite ongoing cost and logistics challenges. According to the initial report, hydrogen appears to be a pretty promising way to decarbonize the heaviest and longest-duty construction machinery, kind of as a complement to battery electrification, especially where grid charging is doable. The construction industry accounts for about 37% of global greenhouse gases when you factor in materials and building operations, and equipment alone makes up roughly 12% of that chunk.…
